Features of the military population health in the arctic zone

Abstract

Тhe study aimed to assess the population health of military personnel serving under contract in the Arctic region and to identify its features. On the basis of statistical reports on form 3/med., relative indicators characterizing the health status of military personnel are calculated. Polynomial trends of the second degree and absolute increase/decrease values were calculated for dynamic analysis. The determination factor was used to estimate the significance of the changes. Quantitative data are presented as arithmetic mean with 95% confidence interval. For comparison, Students t-test and the Man Whitney test were used. Indicators of the health status of the military personnel in the Arctic region have specific features. The primary incidence rate among all categories of military personnel was 452.28, and the total incidence was 993.28. The hospitalization rate coefficient was equal to 154.16, the incidence with temporary disability coefficient was 3912.29, the dismissal rate was 10.61 , and the mortality rate was 118.4 per 100 thousand people. The health coefficient of the sample population was 43.67 units, with a significant downward trend. Respiratory (50%), musculoskeletal (13%), skin and subcutaneous (7%), digestive (6%), and circulatory (6%) diseases account for the highest rates of primary morbidity, whereas the rates of skin diseases decreased and the proportion of musculoskeletal diseases increased. An assessment of the primary morbidity dynamics revealed a significant increase among respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, and connective diseases and a significant trend toward a decrease in the rate of primary morbidity of mental and behavioral disorders and a decrease in the number of injuries, poisoning, and some other consequences of external causes. The health of the military population in the Arctic region has specific features. Climatogeographic and heliophysical factors of the Far North significantly influence the health of military personnel under contract in this region. Thus, targeted preventive measures, including improving the health-promoting behaviors of military personnel under adverse environmental conditions, are necessary.