Pre-travel health awareness and perceptions of voluntary airport PCR testing during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in Okinawa, Japan.

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 histo

SUBMITTER: Kozuka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12774711 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature