Experience of Health-Related Problems during House Parties in the Netherlands: Nine Years of Experience and Three Million Visitors

Abstract

AbstractObjective:The objective of this study was to report on a nine years of experience of providing medical support during house parties (raves) in the Netherlands, where they can be organized legally.Design:This was a prospective, observational study of self-referred patients from 1997 to 2005. During raves, first aid stations are staffed with specifically trained medical and paramedical personnel. Self-referred patients were diagnosed, treated, and recorded using standardized methods.Results:During a nine-year period with 219 raves occurred, involving approximately three million participants, 23,581 patients visited the first aid stations. The medical usage rate (MUR) varied from 59–170 patients per 10,000 rave participants. The mean age increased from 1997 to 2005 from 18.7 ±2.7 to 23.3 ±5.7 years. The mean stay at the first aid station was 18 ±46 minutes. Most health problems were mild. Fifteen cases of severe incidents were observed with one death.Conclusions:Unique data from the Netherlands demonstrate a low number of serious, health-related, short-term problems during raves.