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PubMedDate not supplied

Where the boys are: sexual expectations and behaviour among young women on holiday.

The main objectives of this study were to examine relationships between vacation sex expectations and travelling companionship type (solo, paired, or group), and behavioural outcomes such as engaging in a relationship while on vacation, procuring condoms, and initiating condom use with vacation sex partners among tourist women in Costa Rica. A brief interview was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, vacation sex expectations and relationships, casual sex variables, and alcohol use among a convenience sample of 128 single female tourists 18 years of age or older. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to examine relationships among variables of interest. Women who travelled solo or with a single female companion and women who anticipated having sex on holiday were more likely than other tourist women to report one or more vacation relationships, to have procured condoms, and to have initiated condom use with a vacation sex partner. Women who engage in unanticipated vacation relationships may be at increased risk of participating in unsafe sex with a partner met on holiday due to lack of condom procurement and/or initiation of condom use. The findings point to the importance of public health efforts to educate women regarding safer sex precautions when travelling on holiday.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Frequency of perinatal transfer by day of the week and holidays.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pattern of obstetric transfers to a rural tertiary center relative to weekends and holidays. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: A total of 903 patients were received in transfer over the study period. Tuesday was the most frequent day (17.4%) for transfer and Sunday was the least frequent day (9.2%). Friday was the most frequent day for transfer of patients who did not deliver (18.6%) and Sunday the least frequent day for transfer (7.6%). Subset analysis by delivery status found no statistical difference in the frequency of transfer by delivery status and day of the week (p = 0.28). Tuesday had the highest mean at 1.51 +/- 1.13 and Sunday had the lowest mean at 0.8 +/- 0.89. No difference in transfer volume by day of the week was observed by ANOVA (p = 0.25). The number of transfers occurring around the 7 days surrounding the six major holidays averaged 7.67 +/- 3.63, which did not differ significantly from the weekly average of 8.59 +/- 2.74 (p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: There is no apparent bias to transfer of patients based on the day of the week or holidays. Individual assessment by regional centers may assist in planning for staffing of transport services and resources.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Deaths from sudden infant death syndrome on public holidays and weekends.

Deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) between 1979 and 1984 were tabulated by month for weekdays, weekends and public holidays. Examination of deaths by day of the week showed the weekend had more deaths than the weekdays (chi 2 = 26.3, df = 6, p = 0.0002) and that this pattern occurred in both the under three months and three-11 months age group. There were 40 deaths on the 78 public holidays in the six years under study. Modelling the data showed that there was no difference between the number of deaths on holidays compared to weekends.

Holidays↗

PubMed2000

Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction?

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise and controversy remains regarding the underlying specific causes of this trend. Recently, the magnitude of holiday weight gain and its contribution to annual weight gain were examined in a convenience sample of 195 adults. On average, weight gain during the 6-week winter period from Thanksgiving through New Year averaged only 0.37 kg. However, weight gain was greater among individuals who were overweight or obese, and 14% gained >2.3 kg (5 lb). In addition, among the entire population, weight gain during the 6-week holiday season explained 51% of annual weight gain. These results suggest that holiday weight gain may be an important contributor to the rising prevalence of obesity, even though absolute values for weight gain in this study were less than anticipated. Further studies using representative populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Holidays↗

PubMed1992

Mysterious slapped face rash at holiday centre.

OBJECTIVE: To discover the cause of an outbreak of facial rash in a holiday centre. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey of those with rash; analysis of samples of linen. SETTING: Holiday centre in south west England. PATIENTS: 98 holiday-makers presenting to the first aid post with a facial rash. INTERVENTION: Replacement of bed linen with new linen in selected parts of the site. RESULTS: The attack rate was 7.0-14.2/1000 for most accommodation areas in the centre, but in one accommodation area the rate was zero. The pH of rinse water from sheets varied from 7.4 to 9.0. Those parts of the accommodation provided with new linen had zero attack rates. CONCLUSION: The facial rash resulted from irritation from washing powder retained owing to insufficient rinsing during laundering. Modifications to the rinsing process led to a gradual disappearance of the rash.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Effects of backpacking holidays in Australia on alcohol, tobacco and drug use of UK residents.

BACKGROUND: Whilst alcohol and drug use among young people is known to escalate during short holidays and working breaks in international nightlife resorts, little empirical data are available on the impact of longer backpacking holidays on substance use. Here we examine changes in alcohol, tobacco and drug use when UK residents go backpacking in Australia. METHODS: Matched information on alcohol and drug use in Australia and the UK was collected through a cross sectional cohort study of 1008 UK nationals aged 18-35 years, holidaying in Sydney or Cairns, Australia, during 2005. RESULTS: The use of alcohol and other drugs by UK backpackers visiting Australia was common with use of illicit drugs being substantially higher than in peers of the same age in their home country. Individuals showed a significant increase in frequency of alcohol consumption in Australia compared to their behaviour in the UK with the proportion drinking five or more times per week rising from 20.7% (UK) to 40.3% (Australia). Relatively few individuals were recruited into drug use in Australia (3.0%, cannabis; 2.7% ecstasy; 0.7%, methamphetamine). However, over half of the sample (55.0%) used at least one illicit drug when backpacking. Risk factors for illicit drug use while backpacking were being regular club goers, being male, Sydney based, travelling without a partner or spouse, having been in Australia more than four weeks, Australia being the only destination on their vacation and drinking or smoking five or more days a week. CONCLUSION: As countries actively seek to attract more international backpacker tourists, interventions must be developed that target this population's risk behaviours. Developing messages on drunkenness and other drug use specifically for backpackers could help minimise their health risks directly (e.g. adverse drug reactions) and indirectly (e.g. accidents and violence) as well as negative impacts on the host country.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

The effect of holidays on a token economy regime.

This preliminary study investigates the effect on patients' performance of a set time off, in the form of a short holiday, from a strict reinforcement (token economy) regime. Assessment was by the patients' mean token earnings before and after the holiday and their self-care and work performance throughout. The results suggest that a holiday from a token economy has beneficial effects for patients.

Behavior Therapy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Managing cancer: the role of holiday taking.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this paper is to consider whether holiday taking may have a role to play post-diagnosis/treatment, within the rehabilitation process for cancer patients. METHOD: A qualitative study was undertaken. Informants consisted of cancer patients (n=24), their family members (n=13) and friends (n=2), consultants (n=2) pediatric oncology nurses (n=2), social workers (n=2), a voluntary services coordinator (n=1), and a play specialist (n=1). All were accessed through four facilitators at Christie Hospital, National Health Service Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom. Data were collected via interviews, telephone discussions, letters, personal accounts, and health diaries between January 2000 and March 2001. Questions were asked regarding the perceived effects of travel during serious illness, travel propensity, and factors inhibiting full participation. RESULTS: Benefits to health and well being, particularly of a sociopsychological nature, were identified. Such benefits impacted upon personal health, social effectiveness, personal identity, self-image, independence, future career prospects, and personal behavior. Factors inhibiting travel included the side effects of treatment, other peoples' reactions to the visible signs of cancer (e.g., hair loss, surgical scars), inflated insurance costs, a lack of holiday information sources, and communication issues (e.g., language barriers). CONCLUSIONS: Holiday taking offers a vehicle for transcending illness, even if only for a short period of time. Travel offered a range of therapeutic opportunities as well as providing a necessary means of escapism. Promoting travel as part of the rehabilitation process may well generate more intrinsic benefits than are currently appreciated. Such benefits may also be of broader application to patients facing other similarly complex illnesses.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

UV-induced alterations in skin and lymphocytes during a one-week holiday in the Canary Islands in May.

The effect of solar exposure during a one-week sunbathing vacation in May at 29 degrees N latitude was investigated in 22 volunteers. The following end-points were measured before and after the holiday: skin reflectance at 507 nm, transmission of radiation from 289 nm to 448 nm through the epidermis, epidermal thickness, minimal erythema dose (MED), total white cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and lymphocyte subpopulation counts in blood, spontaneous DNA synthesis, DNA strand breaks and sister-chromatid exchange in lymphocytes, and the UVC tolerance of lymphocytes. There was a statistically significant decrease in skin reflectance (p < 0.001) and epidermal transmission (p < 0.01) after the holiday, reflecting increased pigmentation and epidermal thickening. There was a statistically significant increase in epidermal thickness (p < 0.001), MED (p < 0.05), spontaneous DNA synthesis (p < 0.01) and DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes (p < 0.02) after the holiday. The other end-points were not significantly changed. We report that changes in skin pigmentation and epidermal thickness occur after one week of UV exposure. It was also observed that a one-week UV exposure increased both spontaneous DNA repair and the amount of DNA strand breaks in the lymphocytes of the volunteers, while no changes in T-cell subsets were detected.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Injury from fireworks and firecrackers during holidays].

BACKGROUND: Every year during the holidays of the Arab and Druze population, and especially during Id el-Adha, scores of injured from firecrackers, crackers, skyrockets and other homemade explosive devices arrive at the Western Galilee Hospital. Similar casualties present during the Jewish Purim Festival. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the population of the injured and to analyze various aspects of this kind of accidents, in order to reduce injury and minimize disability. METHODS: A retrospective survey of records of all injured from firecrackers and similar devices during holidays that arrived at our hospital between 1999 and 2003 was conducted. Between 2001 and 2002 the trauma team, in cooperation with the local leadership, directed an education and information campaign in the community, in an attempt to reduce these injuries. RESULTS: During the study period, a decrease in the rate of injury was observed, which in the year 2003, reached a level of 50% of the 1999 figures. Of the injured, 53% were children (< or = 15 years old), 93% were Arab or Druze, and 93% were males. The rate of injuries from fireworks in 2003 was significantly lower than the mean rate of the years 1999, 2001, 2002 (p=0.045). The major cause of injury was firecrackers (67%) followed by fireworks (21%). Major injuries were to the extremities (58%), followed by facial and eye trauma (24%) and burns (11%). Of the casualties, 54% were lightly injured, 46% were hospitalized, 24% required surgical intervention and 7% lost fingers. Two individuals lost eyesight in one eye, but no fatalities occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced rate of injury from fireworks and similar devices can be attributed to two major reasons: intervention by the trauma team and enforcement by the police and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. We recommend conducting a combined campaign of education and parental guidance with the involvement of community leaders and local media, and to increase law-enforcement. The organization of central firework displays in each community during this holiday should be considered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[The effect of public holidays on the suicide drive (frequency) in Hungary (1970-2002)].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between suicide frequency and the days of the week and major public holidays in Hungary (1970-2002). The analysis was based on data of approximately 140,000 suicides. The authors intended to examine whether the "broken promise effect" (Gabennesch), which is cited with increasing frequency in the literature, is valid also in Hungary or not. RESULTS: Suicides occur most frequently on Monday and least on weekends for both males and females. On the days of Christmas and Easter the suicide drive has decreased among males only. The first day of the year is associated with a large increase of suicide risk in both genders, while there appears to be no change in suicide-frequency on the public holidays of 1st May and 20th August. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study confirm the validity of the "broken-promise effect" theory also under Hungarian circumstances. It is a very important to know that suicides do not show an increase on and before weekend and public holidays, but after the following day(s). This finding can be an important aspect when preventive measures are adopted.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Are levodopa "drug holidays" justified?

Complete withdrawal of all levodopa compounds "drug holiday" for a period of at least one week in severely disabled, unresponsive Parkinson patients may influence receptor blockade by resensitizing and can alter denervation hypersensitivity. Twenty four patients with 31 holidays were evaluated. Transient improvement was noted in most patients, however significant long term benefit of over 1 years duration occurred in only 6 individuals. In view of the unpredictability and limited responsiveness, drug holiday has not yet been established as a satisfactory treatment for the severe, intractable problems associated with chronic levodopa administration in Parkinson patients. Further trials appear to be warranted.

Humans↗

PubMed1985

Reappraisal of temporary levodopa withdrawal ("drug holiday") in Parkinson's disease.

Transient withdrawal of therapy has been advocated as a method of dealing with the complications of long-term use of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. We retrospectively examined the effect of a 10-day period of levodopa withdrawal, or "drug holiday," in 28 patients. We then compared the subsequent clinical course of these patients over one year with that of 30 other randomly selected, similar patients with Parkinson's disease. In both groups the disease progressed; there was no difference in disease severity, capacity for daily living activities, or total amounts of dopamine agonists eventually used. For some patients, it was possible to reduce dopamine agonists used immediately after the drug holiday without causing deterioration, but a pulmonary embolus and other complications occurred. Subsequent complications related to long-term dopamine-agonist therapy during the follow-up period were similar in the two groups. this investigation indicates that a drug holiday carries some risk and does not improve the efficacy of levodopa therapy or prevent the problems that occur with long-term administration.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Temporary holiday "tattoos" may cause lifelong allergic contact dermatitis when henna is mixed with PPD.

Temporary tattoos are becoming more popular especially among teenagers. For this purpose henna tattoos are usually used. Although pure henna is relatively safe, combining it with other colouring agents such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD), may cause skin sensitisation. Several cases of contact allergy from temporary tattoos have been reported, each with positive reactions to PPD. Six cases of allergic contact reaction to temporary tattoos are reported. In all cases, the responsible agent was PPD. Two were also allergic to black 'henna' hair dye which also contained PPD. They had been sensitised on earlier holidays by their temporary tattoos. Temporary holiday tattoos may cause lifelong contact allergy. Although the allergenicity of pure henna is low, the allergenicity of PPD is high. Holiday 'tattoo' reactions are going to be common until PPD is removed from the mixture.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

The effect of the holiday season on body weight and composition in college students.

BACKGROUND: With the rapid increase in obesity rates, determining critical periods for weight gain and the effects of changes in fat mass is imperative. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body weight and composition over the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year's) in male and female college students. METHODS: Subjects completed three visits: the first occurred within 2 weeks prior to Thanksgiving, the second occurred within 5 to 7 days following Thanksgiving, and the third occurred within 10 days following New Year's Day. A total of 82 healthy male and female college age subjects participated. Body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was assessed at visits 1 and 3 while body weight was assessed at all three visits. RESULTS: Average body weight remained relatively unchanged from pre-Thanksgiving to post-New Year's (71.3 +/- 14 kg vs. 71.2 +/- 15 kg; P = 0.71) and, in fact, a subset of normal weight subjects lost a significant amount of body weight. However, percent body fat (25.9 +/- 9 %fat vs. 27.0 +/- 9 %fat; P < 0.01) and fat mass (18.3 +/- 8 kg and 19.1 +/- 8 kg; P < 0.01) significantly increased from pre-Thanksgiving to post-New Year's while fat-free mass (48.7 +/- 12 kg and 48.3 +/- 11 kg; P = 0.08) was not significantly different than the post-New Year's. A significant positive relationship (P < 0.001) between the change in BMI and percent fat, total fat mass, total fat free mass, and trunk fat mass for the pre-Thanksgiving and post-New Year's visits were found. The same significant positive relationships (P < 0.001) were also observed between the change in body weight and percent fat, total fat mass, total fat free mass, and trunk fat mass. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that body weight remained unchanged over the course of the holiday season, a significant increase in %body fat and fat mass was observed. With recent evidence showing marked morbidity and mortality to be associated with increased body fat (particularly abdominal adiposity), results from this study suggest body weight alone may underestimate the potentially deleterious effects of the holiday season.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Does holiday hypoglycaemia exist?

BACKGROUND: To determine whether an excessive, prolonged and, above all, unusual physical exertion could be associated with episodes of mild hypoglycaemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients treated with glibenclamide. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 11 months of observation with retrospective analysis of patient personal diaries to determine the hypoglycaemic risk. SETTING: Diabetic Unit-Department of Medicine and Aging-Chieti University School of Medicine. PATIENTS: We enrolled 340 NIDDM outpatients adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, alcohol intake and oral treatment regimen with glibenclamide. PATIENTS were tested monthly for circadian blood glucose profiles and glycosylated hemoglobin. Mild hypoglycaemia was defined on the basis of blood glucose values < 2.8 mmol/l associated with mild autonomic symptoms, without requiring external assistance. Each diabetic patient filled personal diary indicating the therapy regimen and the characteristics of eventual hypoglycaemic episodes occurring during the observation period. RESULTS: 21.8% of NIDDM patients experienced one or two episodes of mild hypoglycaemia during the observation period. The analysis of the patients' diaries showed that 60% of the hypoglycaemic episodes was associated with excessive, prolonged and unexpected physical exertions. Within this group, about 70% of the episodes occurred during a holiday ("holiday hypoglycaemia"). After analyzing the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the diabetic patients reporting hypoglycaemic events, we found a higher risk for "holiday hypoglycaemia" in patients with a lower educational level, with a sedentary occupation or among the ex-farmers. CONCLUSIONS: As resulted in the present study, unexpected physical exertions may represent a relevant cause of mild hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients receiving oral antidiabetic therapy. However, this hypoglycaemic cause may have been underestimated in the literature. Educational programs conducted by general practitioners or diabetologists could be useful for the patients in reducing the number of mild hypoglycaemic episodes.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

PubMed2005

Malaria in travelers returning from short organized tours to holiday resorts in Mombassa, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Short trips to holiday resorts in Mombassa, Kenya, have gained popularity among Israelis since the early 1990s. A cluster of cases of malaria among returned travelers raised concern that preventive measures were being neglected. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the demographic and clinical features of malaria acquired in Kenya, and to assess the adequacy of preventive measures. METHODS: Data were collected from investigation forms at the Ministry of Health. All persons who acquired malaria in Kenya during the years 1999-2001 were contacted by phone and questioned about use of chemoprophylaxis, attitudes towards malaria prevention, and disease course. Further information was extracted from hospital records. RESULTS: Kenya accounted for 30 (18%) of 169 cases of malaria imported to Israel and was the leading source of malaria in the study period. Of 30 malaria cases imported from Kenya, 29 occurred after short (1-2 weeks) travel to holiday resorts in Mombassa. Average patient age was 43 +/- 12 years, which is older than average for travelers to tropical countries. Only 10% of the patients were fully compliant with malaria chemoprophylaxis. The most common reason for non-compliance was the belief that a short trip to a holiday resort carries a negligible risk of malaria. Only 3 of 13 patients (23%) who consulted their primary physician about post-travel fever were correctly diagnosed with malaria. Twenty percent of cases were severe enough to warrant admission to an intensive care unit; one case was fatal. CONCLUSIONS: Measures aimed at preventing malaria and its severe sequelae among travelers should concentrate on increasing awareness of risks and compliance with malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Drug holidays and serum haloperidol levels in schizophrenic patients.

Chronic hospitalized schizophrenic patients receiving haloperidol were placed on drug holidays for 2 days. Serum haloperidol levels in these patients decreased to about 60% of the levels seen just prior to the usual morning dosing during the drug holiday. Control subjects not given a drug holiday showed stable day-to-day serum haloperidol levels. The small drop in serum haloperidol blood levels may relate to the lack of relapse observed in such patients.

Adult↗