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[Annual epidemics of hepatitis A in four large cities related to holiday travel among immigrant children].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the transmission pattern of hepatitis A in relation to ethnicity and travel behaviour in Amsterdam. Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague. DESIGN: Descriptive study of notified cases. SETTING: Municipal Health Services of the four major cities in the Netherlands. METHOD: Notification data of hepatitis A in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague were analysed over the period 1992-1995. Cases were analysed according to age (0-19 years or > 19 years), whether or not they travelled abroad in the period of six weeks before the onset of the first symptoms of disease, and endemicity of hepatitis A in the country of ethnic origin. RESULTS: The strong increase of hepatitis A after the summer holidays could be divided into several smaller epidemics starting with an epidemic among children of Moroccan and Turkish descent who had spent the summer holidays in these countries, among children of the same ethnic background who had not travelled abroad, followed by epidemics among non-travelling children and adults of mainly Dutch descent, respectively. A strong correlation was found in Amsterdam between the incidence in the former two groups and the latter two groups (Pearsons r = 0.68; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Children who spent the summer holidays in a hepatitis A endemic country, particularly Morocco and Turkey, appeared to be the main importers of hepatitis A in the four major cities. Active immunization of all children born in the Netherlands of Moroccan and Turkish descent is the most preferable intervention.

Adolescent↗

From the laboratory to real life: a pilot study of an expectancy challenge with "heavy drinking" young people on holiday.

The Alcohol Expectancy Challenge (EC) is a promising program for changing alcohol expectancies and reducing alcohol consumption in "heavy drinking" young men in a bar-lab setting. In this study the EC was adapted for use in mixed-gender groups in a holiday setting and its feasibility tested in camping resorts in the Netherlands where a lot of binge drinking takes place (summer 2002). Male and female participants (N = 170; mean age, 18.8 years) were randomly assigned to an EC or to an assessment-only control group. One day before the intervention, alcohol expectancies were measured by a Visual Analogue Scale of arousal-sedation expectancies (VAS expectancies questionnaire). At the same time, alcohol use in everyday life and on holiday was assessed by a General Drinking Questionnaire and a 24-hour drinking diary, respectively. Twenty-four hours after the intervention, the VAS expectancies questionnaire was administered again and alcohol use over the previous 24 hours was reported in the drinking diary. Six weeks after the intervention, participants were telephoned and administered oral versions of the VAS expectancies questionnaire and General Drinking Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVAs. Although the study was hampered by recruitment difficulties, the EC proved feasible in this setting, was well received by youngsters, and effects on their alcohol expectancies may have been present. No effect was found on alcohol use. In conclusion, implementation must be improved and more studies are needed to come to more definite conclusions about the value of the EC in a real-life targeted intervention.

Adolescent↗

Sunbathing intentions in Irish people travelling to Mediterranean summer holiday destinations.

As exposure to UV light is thought to be the most significant environmental and behavioural risk factor for avoiding skin cancer, we have analysed the sunbathing intentions and attitudes of Irish people travelling to Mediterranean and Iberian holiday destinations. Ninety per cent of respondents planned to get a suntan on their vacation with 44% likely to burn their skin in the process. Although all intended to apply sun cream on holiday only 40% would apply >SPF 15. Sixty-four per cent planned to sunbathe between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm, with 25% intending to spend <5 hours in the sun. One-third of those intending to sunbathe for >6 hours per day were aged between 16 and 24 years. Approximately eight out of 10 people thought suntans made them feel healthier or attractive. Fifty-six per cent regularly checked their moles but men were less likely to check their skin for pigment changes. The results provide baseline information on sunbathing attitudes of Irish people. They show that while most people feel they adopt a careful approach to sunbathing, the experiences and intentions, especially in younger people, are influenced by the desirability of a suntan, and reflect a behaviour that increases their risk of skin cancer.

Adolescent↗

The effect of weekends and holidays on stroke outcome in acute stroke units.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In almost all acute stroke units in Japan, staffing level is lower on weekends and holidays and rehabilitative services are provided only on weekdays. We sought to investigate the effects of low-volume care early after stroke resulting from weekends and holidays on the outcome of stroke. METHODS: Patients with completed stroke within 72 h of onset were prospectively registered by 10 acute stroke units in Japan. Main outcome measures were favorable outcomes as indicated by a score of 0-1 on the modified Rankin scale (mRS01) on their 21st hospital day and at discharge and case fatality during the hospital stay. Cox proportional hazardsmodels were used to identify the effects of weekday admission and a weekday ratio (a number of weekdays / total length of hospital stay, or 21 days if hospitalization was longer than 21 days) on the main outcome measures. RESULTS: In a total of 1,134 patients, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses demonstrated that the weekday admission was significantly associated with mRS01 at discharge (hazard ratio, HR: 1.385, 95% CI: 1.087-1.764) and case fatality (HR: 0.477, 95% CI: 0.285-0.798). In 858 patients with rehabilitative therapy, the weekday ratio was significantly associated with mRS01 at discharge (p = 0.014). Compared with the lowest tertile of weekday ratio (<66.6%), the highest tertile (>71.4%) was significantly positively associated with mRS01 at discharge (HR: 1.524, 95% CI: 1.053-2.206; p < 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Weekday admission was an independent negative predictor of case fatality and a positive predictor of favorable outcome (mRS01) at discharge from acute stroke units. In patients with rehabilitative therapy, a reduction in the weekday ratio was also associated with unfavorable outcome, probably due to a reduction in multidisciplinary care.

Acute Disease↗

A suicide peak after weekends and holidays in patients with alcohol dependence.

This paper analyzes the variation of suicide by day of the week in alcohol dependence, with public holidays taken into consideration. From 1949 through 1969, 1,312 patients with alcohol dependence were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Lund. By 1997, a total of 102 (99 men) alcoholic patients had taken their own life. Suicide victims with severe depression and other diagnoses were compared. There was a suicide peak on the first two days after weekends and holidays in patients with alcohol dependence (p < .05). Alcohol withdrawal is proposed as a contributor to the suicide peak.

Alcoholism↗

Racism and the older voter? Arizona's rejection of a paid holiday to honor Martin Luther King.

Two propositions that would have established a paid Martin Luther King holiday were defeated in Arizona's statewide elections of November 6, 1990. Communities and counties with high proportions of senior adult voters cast proportionately more votes against these propositions. Was this an example of racism among the primarily anglo senior adult voters of Arizona? Three models were proposed to account for the general pattern of election-related behavior as well as the vote itself: 1) proactive racist, 2) pragmatic self-interest, and 3) fortress mentality. It was suggested that proactive racism and pragmatic self-interest accounted for less of the opposition to a paid holiday honoring Martin Luther King than did a fortress mentality that has developed through a combination of circumstances. Attention is also given to the larger question of senior adults as perpetrators as well as victims of bigotry.

Black or African American↗

Weekends and holidays and acting-out behavior of developmentally delayed women: a reply to Dr. Mark Flynn.

A previous report on the effect of the day of the full moon on the acting-out behavior of 20 developmentally delayed, institutionalized women showed that on the day of the full moon there were significantly more misbehaviors than on any other day during the lunar period. The records were re-evaluated to assess the frequency of acting-out behaviors on weekends and holidays as contrasted with the balance of the month. This re-evaluation indicated there was no significant difference between the weekends and holidays and the balance of the month (t = 1.14). The results were taken as support of the previous findings that on the day of the full moon there were significantly more misbehaviors than on any other day of the lunar period.

Acting Out↗

[Holiday effect in myocardial infarct].

Aimed measures of the organisation of the combat against infarction demand also the observation of temporary frequencies. On the basis of the evaluation of certificates of death of the month December of the years 1969 to 1973 of the GDR with differentiation according to so-called prehospital dead (persons who died at home and on the way to the hospital) and patients who died in the hospital with high significance an unwarrantedly high prehospital mortality during the period from Christmas to the end of the year (25th to 31st December) was established compared with the preceding week (18th to 24th December). Since in contrast to this the hospital cases and the cases "on the way" do not show any significant differences main tasks for the beginning of improvements concerning health policy may be deduced, all the more since the so-called holiday effect, expressed by a high home/clinic-relation of patients who died of myocardial infarction, could be restricted to 6 counties of the GDR on account of the analysis of further localities. From the results the tendency of a retrogression of the holiday effect is to be read off in the course of years. In the discussion an explantation of this peculiarity is attempted, and practicable conclusions for the removal and thus for the improvement the infarct situation are formulated.

Holidays↗

Control of Christmas holiday census and staffing.

Most hospitals experience decreased census during certain holiday periods. The costs related to keeping units open during these periods are major problems for nursing administrators. This article describes a holiday staffing plan that addresses the personal needs of staff and the need to control operations. The same principles may apply at other low census periods such as during summer months, vacation periods, or strikes.

Holidays↗

Travel and health: illness associated with winter package holidays.

A survey of 263 people who had winter package holidays abroad revealed that 21 per cent of the travellers had been ill. Forty-eight per cent of those who had been unwell reported an alimentary upset and 26 per cent reported respiratory symptoms. Illness was recorded most frequently by travellers to countries in the Mediterranean region.More readily available advice or information would be useful in reducing the amount of illness associated with package holidays.

Adolescent↗

Operation: happy holidays.

The Christmas holiday season is supposed to be a time of togetherness--a time with friends and family. But in most hospitals this is a time of disruption, loneliness and distress for both staff and patients. There are ways, however, to make the holiday season a more positive experience.

Holidays↗

Effects of dietary restraint, obesity, and gender on holiday eating behavior and weight gain.

This investigation evaluated the impact of dietary restraint, relative weight, and gender on holiday eating behavior and weight gain. 65 Ss (31 men and 34 women) completed detailed food records for the 2 days before, the 4 days during, and the 2 days after the Thanksgiving weekend. Results indicated increased eating during the Thanksgiving holiday, with men eating more than women and the obese eating less than the nonobese. There was also a significant Total Restraint X Weight X Time interaction, with unrestrained normal-weight subjects behaving similarly to high-restrained overweight subjects over time. There was also a highly reliable Total Restraint X Sex X Time interaction. The most striking finding from this interaction was that high-restrained women displayed decreases in their dietary intake over time. Correlational analyses revealed that restraint scores were negatively associated with dietary intake over the 8-day period but were positively associated with weight gain. The implications for dieting, eating behavior, and energy balance are discussed.

Feeding Behavior↗

Weekend holidays during methylphenidate use in ADHD children: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether weekend drug holidays during methylphenidate (MPH) administration would change the efficacy and tolerability to the medication in male children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). METHODS: In a 28-day, double-blind study, children with diagnoses of ADHD were randomized to receive BID MPH for 7 days a week (n = 21) or to receive BID MPH on weekdays and a placebo on weekends (n = 19). Parents completed the Conners' Abbreviated Rating Scale (ABRS) to assess ADHD symptoms and the Barkley's Side Effect Rating Scale (SERS) to assess side effects on weekends. Teachers completed the ABRS on each Monday after weekends. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant reduction on the ABRS over time as the dose was increased. However, the group difference in the ABRS scores was not statistically significant, either on weekend parent ratings (at the endpoint, p = 0.41; effect size = 0.26) or on teachers' ratings (at the endpoint, p = 0.99; effect size = 0.002). The omission of MPH on weekends was associated with significantly less severity of insomnia (F = 3.96, d.f. = 1, p = 0.05) and a trend for less interference on appetite (F = 3.18, d. f. = 1, p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that weekend holidays during MPH administration reduce the side effects of insomnia and appetite suppression without a significant increase in symptoms, either on weekends or in the first school day after them. Possible explanations for these findings (rate-dependent response or impact of demands of the environment) are discussed in this paper.

Adolescent↗

Risk of cross-colonization and infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a holiday camp for cystic fibrosis patients.

The risk of cross-colonization and subsequent infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in holiday camps for cystic fibrosis patients was studied in 91 children by culturing sputum at their arrival, at their departure, 2 months later, and at regular intervals thereafter. The isolated strains were subjected to serotyping, phage typing, pyocin typing, and genotyping by random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting-PCR. It was concluded from random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting-PCR typing that the Pseudomonas flora was not constant in most children. Some children harbored one genotype, whereas some harbored two or more different genotypes simultaneously. Most culture-positive children easily acquired a strain of another genotype which replaced the former one or coexisted with the original one. The incidence of sputum conversion was 7.7% in previously negative children; the incidence of permanent colonization and infection was 1.9%. This risk was comparable with that observed in the community. We conclude that the risk of cross-infection is trivial compared with the obvious joy and social benefit derived from a holiday camp.

Adolescent↗

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction: efficacy of a drug holiday.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether weekend drug holidays would improve sexual functioning in recovered depressed patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced sexual dysfunction. METHOD: Thirty outpatients who reported worsening of sexual functioning during SSRI treatment were instructed to discontinue their SSRIs after the Thursday morning dose and to restart the SSRIs (at their previous dosage) on Sunday at 12:00 noon for four weekends. RESULTS: Significant improvement in sexual functioning was reported by the patients taking sertraline and paroxetine but not by those taking fluoxetine. There were no statistically significant increases in mean Hamilton depression scores after discontinuation of the SSRIs; two patients had increases in scores from the 4-8 range to the 10-14 range. CONCLUSIONS: For some patients taking sertraline and paroxetine who experience sexual dysfunction side effects, brief drug holidays may allow for significant improvement in sexual functioning without a significant return of depressive symptoms.

1-Naphthylamine↗

Is L-DOPA drug holiday useful?

We studied 9 patients with severe, chronic Parkinson disease and complications of long-term L-DOPA therapy. After a "holiday" of 3 to 21 days, excess dopamine effects improved in all patients, and the baseline parkinsonian picture emerged. After reinstitution of L-DOPA therapy, often at lower doses than had been used previously, parkinsonian signs improved. Complications of immobility were seen in two patients; one had deep vein thrombophlebitis, and the other became depressed. In treating the individual patient, the risks of immobility despite aggressive attempts to prevent complications should be weighed against the possible improvement of parkinsonism. These findings suggest that a holiday from L-DOPA therapy may extent the drug's usefulness in treating Parkinson disease, perhaps by resensitizing striatal dopamine receptors in patients receiving the drug for prolonged periods.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Weekly drug holiday in Parkinson disease.

Patients with Parkinson disease and drug-related side effects entered an open-trial study in which they stopped all dopaminergic medications for 2 consecutive days each week. Nine of 17 patients could tolerate the cessation of dopaminergic medication, and all of them showed improvement of side effects during the drug holiday and often throughout the week. Patients who could not tolerate withdrawal of medication were identified within 3 weeks by increased tremor or bradykinesia. This at-home drug holiday offers a potential therapy applicable to large numbers of parkinsonian outpatients who suffer progressive drug-related side effects.

Adult↗