Lessons Learned at World Youth Day: Collecting Data and Using Postcards at Mass Gatherings

Abstract

Introduction:World Youth Day (WYD) and its associated activities were held in Sydney, Australia from 15–20 July 2008. The aims of this research were to pilot the use of postcards at mass gatherings and to collect baseline data of how young people (age 16–25 years) identify factors that may affect their health and safety when attending mass gatherings.Hypothesis:The concerns of young people in relation to their health and safety at mass gatherings are poorly understood. It was decided that postcards would be an effective method of data collection in the mobile mass gathering environment.Methods:The research setting was the Pilgrim Walk at WYD. Participants on this walk were young people. To measure their health and safety concerns, a postcard was developed using a Likert scale to rank their attitudes on a continuum.Results:Young people stated that staying hydrated, having enough to eat, and being safe in a crowd were important to them. They also indicated that they perceived, overcrowding, getting to and from an event, and violent behavior as the greatest risks to their health and safety at a mass gathering.Conclusions:The problems with postcard distribution at a “mobile” mass gathering have been identified. Even so, results gathered showed that young people were focused on “in the moment” aspects of their health; such as access to food and water. They also had concerns for their safety due to potential overcrowding and/or violent behavior.

Risk and protective factors for mental health at a youth mass gathering

“…In studying mass gatherings, research has focused on profiling the nature of the health risks and planning for emergency service access and response [7][8][9]. Other work in this area has explored different models of crowd management [10][11][12], early identification of people who are at risk [13,6], and the value of harm reduction strategies, such as 'sanctuary spaces' and outreach medical support [14,15].…”

The psychology of health and well-being in mass gatherings: A review and a research agenda

“…To take just one possible example, we have already alluded to the fact that a sense of “heroic endeavour” is often defined in terms of continuing to perform group rituals when one is unwell, say through infection. As simple health warnings are generally ineffective [ 58 ], it may be possible to redefine such behaviour as counter-normative by emphasising how it puts fellow participants at risk. Moreover, it may be possible to redefine true heroism not as carrying on regardless, but as staying behind, not completing rituals and hence putting the collective first.…”

Health Care Provision During a Sporting Mass Gathering: A Structure and Process Description of On-Site Care Delivery

“…To date, mass-gathering research has predominantly focused on the nature of in-event health care provision at mass gatherings, 2 , 4 , 9 , 13 – 16 as well as the in-event incidence and severity of injuries 17 20 For sporting mass gatherings, anywhere between three percent and 18% of participants require health care, 6 , 17 , 21 often delivered on-site.…”