Aim:
To measure the extent of drug, sex and other health risks among a group of young
people traveling from the UK on a foreign dance holiday. Methods: A
cross-sectional sample of 160 young people on a dance holiday compared with a
cross-sectional sample of 90 young people at home. All respondents completed a
quantitative questionnaire relating to their risk behaviours in the previous
seven days. Qualitative interviews were also conducted whilst on holiday. Settings:
Balearic Islands, (Spain), and a dance club in Scotland, (UK). Results: A
significantly greater number of those on holiday reported using alcohol (91%)
and ecstasy (77%), compared with 69% and 63% respectively of those at home.
Approximately half of those who had sex with new partners whilst on holiday, and
at home, used condoms. Of those on holiday, 45% reported sickness and diarrhoea
compared with 23% at home; 49% of the holidaymakers reported sunburn. Conclusions:
As with other studies, this group of holidaymakers experienced increased levels
of drug and alcohol related risks. However, contrary to other studies, sexual
risk did not increase whilst on holiday. Nevertheless, when compared with other
young travelers, this group appear to report higher levels of alcohol and drug
use, illness, and sexual risk behaviour.