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The relationship between chinook conditions and women's physical and mental well-being

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Abstract

The objective of this study was (1) to determine the relationship between chinook conditions and physical and psychological symptoms in women aged 20–49 years, and (2) to examine the possibility of subgroups of chinook-sensitive women. The evidence for this relationship is at present merely anecdotal. The study carried out in 1985–1986 in Calgary comprises the secondary analysis of a large survey of various health and health-related factors, including different symptoms, of urban women aged 20–49 years. The interview date was used to link these data to days on which pre-chinook, chinook, post-chinook and non-chinook conditions occurred. Between November 1, 1985 and February 28, 1986, 182 women were interviewed on pre-chinook days, 74 on chinook days, 229 on post-chinook days and 886 on non-chinook days. Autonomic reactions and skin disorders were found to be significantly related to chinook conditions. None of the psychological symptoms was related to chinook conditions. However, a significant relationship was found between symptoms and chinook conditions in women with a history of emotional disorders. This type of information is important to educate chinook-sensitive women and health professionals as well as for hospital emergency departments in order to be able to prepare for potential increases in workload.

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Verhoef, M.J., Rose, M.S. & Ramcharan, S. The relationship between chinook conditions and women's physical and mental well-being. Int J Biometeorol 38, 148–151 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01208492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01208492

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