Young volunteers are exposed to many risks during their time in international social projects, or expose themselves to a range of risks during their work and leisure time. The risk spectrum varies as expected from that of other groups. In comparison to collectives with a higher average age, the major difference is the number and the handling of sexual contacts. Volunteers in Latin America in particular expose themselves to high risks because of the high frequency of partners, often without the use of a condom. Young volunteers should also be better prepared for possible hygiene standards in the areas of diet, water supply and sanitary facilities. In order to reduce the rate of diarrhoeal diseases, information must be provided in preparatory seminars on treatment methods of drinking water, and the possible consequences of taking untreated water which is not commercially bottled. Greater focus should be placed in the tropical medical advice to volunteers on particular vaccinations, especially typhus (Asia, Africa) and pertussis and measles (Africa). In order to improve the preparation of young volunteers, high-quality advice thematically in line with their risk profile is required before departure, ideally a combination of individual discussion and general seminars with practical training units. It is important to train young volunteers not only formally, but to develop in them an understanding, since their readiness to take risks is associated with their actual behaviour abroad.
