Author(s): NEAL, R., MICHOS, K., PICKLES, D.W., WILLIAMS, T., COSTELLO, J., WOOD, J., WILLMOTT, A.G.B., Institution: BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 2488

INTRODUCTION:
Millions of lowland travellers ascend to high-altitude environments annually for tourism, pilgrimage, and occupational purposes, often with limited awareness of altitude-related illnesses, such as acute mountain sickness (AMS). This study examined whether an education intervention in the form of a short, animated video could increase the knowledge and awareness of altitude-related illness in adults visiting high-altitude; and whether this learning could be retained following a 7-day trek and three months later.
METHODS:
Nineteen participants (9 males, 10 females, aged 52 ± 9 years old) from the USA and UK completed a 7-day expedition (peak elevation: 5016 masl; elevation gain: 2909 m) near Cusco (Peru) in 2025. On arrival in Cusco, participants were provided with an educational resource video (4:30-min, from Para-Monte) that included summarised visual learning materials and key information regarding altitude exposure. In this pre-post research design, participants completed four online “Altitude Knowledge” surveys (via REDCap); pre- (Baseline) and post-education intervention (Acute), post-trek (Learned) and three-months following (Retained). In addition, a proportion of participants reported AMS (Lake Louise; AMS-C), fatigue (VAS-F), breathlessness and exertion (1-10 Borg) over the initial three trekking days.
RESULTS:
Baseline results revealed some altitude knowledge, with 42% identifying headache as the key AMS symptom. However, total altitude knowledge (P<0.001) and altitude information (P<0.001), but not altitude illness (P=0.487), were acutely increased from baseline immediately following the education intervention (n=19). From the participants that engaged with all time points (n=8), a significant increase in altitude information specifically was demonstrated over the acute, learned and retained timeframe (P=0.004), although total knowledge (P=0.069) and altitude illness (P=0.319) were the same over time. AMS scores significantly increased on the second day of the trek (LL: P=0.017; AMS-C P=0.036) but fatigue was unchanged (P=0.204). Exertion was similar (P=0.331) but dyspnoea was reduced on the third trek day (P=0.018). Additional case profiles will be presented in detail.
CONCLUSION:
Findings indicate that this concise, visually engaging resource could develop short-term learning and retention of altitude knowledge in people beginning a commercial high-altitude trek. Structured, pre-travel altitude education using engaging formats is recommended to mitigate health risks for travellers, even when some baseline knowledge is assumed.