THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINOOK CONDITIONS AND WOMENS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING

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