IJID Reg. 2025 Nov 30;18:100817. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100817. eCollection 2026 Mar.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic, airport-based measures, such as fever screening and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing were implemented in Japan. Okinawa Prefecture introduced a voluntary airport PCR testing program for domestic travelers at Naha Airport (OKA). Their indirect behavioral effects on travelers remain underexplored. This study aims to describe self-reported pre-travel health awareness among participants in this program.
METHODS: In February-March 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among Naha Airport PCR test Project (NAPP) participants (n = 4545; March subset n = 1859). The survey assessed demographics, travel purpose, awareness of airport screening (fever screening and PCR testing), pre-travel health awareness, COVID-19 history, and symptoms. Logistic regression evaluated factors associated with self-reported symptoms in the March subset.
RESULTS: Among respondents aware of fever screening and PCR testing, 94.1% and 96.4%, respectively, reported increased attention to their physical condition before travel. Overall, 3.9% reported symptoms, mainly mild respiratory complaints. The proportion symptomatic varied by reason for testing; workplace-mandated testers reported fewer symptoms than family-motivated testers (adjusted odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.78).
CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of voluntary airport screening measures was associated with greater self-reported pre-travel health awareness among voluntary testers. These findings may inform context-specific behavioral strategies aimed at promoting health-conscious travel during infectious disease outbreaks.
PMID:41510495 | PMC:PMC12774711 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100817
