The Analysis of Morbidity among Civil and Military University Students in Kaliningrad

Abstract

The objective of the study was to analyze disease incidence and prevalence rates among university students in the city of Kaliningrad. Materials and methods. We analyzed morbidity among first to fifth year students of a civil (No. 1) and two military universities (Nos. 2 and 3) including its structure per 1,000, trends, annual incidence and prevalence rates among local and nonresident students. Results and discussion: The overall prevalence rates were higher in the military universities (1,474.9 ± 14.5 ‰ and 930.4 ± 5.2 ‰ in Nos. 2 and 3, respectively) than in the civil one (802.1 ± 10.3 ‰). In universities Nos. 1 and 3, the prevalence rates of diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue were similar while the rates of diseases of the genitourinary system were higher than those in university No. 2. We observed a higher disease prevalence rate among unacclimated students: the smaller was their percentage, the lower was the overall rate. In the universities 1–3 the prevalence rates in local and nonresident students were 779.1 ± 11.8 ‰ and 918.9 ± 17.0 ‰ (p = 0.000), 921.5 ± 13.5 ‰ and 1,548.1 ± 16.9 ‰ (p = 0.000), and 719.5 ± 12.7 ‰ and 906.2 ± 9.6 ‰ (p = 0.000), respectively. The nonresident students of the civil university were healthier: their prevalence rates of diseases of the eye and adnexa, mental and behavioral disorders, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were, respectively, 2.8, 1.9 and 4.2 times lower than those in non-local students of the military establishments. Conclusions. Respiratory diseases and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue generally prevailed among the students. The excess of the upper limit of the annual incidence rate in the same seasons and months of the year proves the role of body resistance in disease pathogenesis. The observed disease rates were higher in the military universities than in the civil one due to the specific features of nutrition, accommodation, and the educational process (curricula, indoor and outdoor classes at the training ground). The analysis of morbidity rates among students of each year is essential for the development of efficient preventive measures. General measures shall include ways and means of boosting the immune system as well as proper sanitary and hygienic conditions of students’ accommodation and learning facilities. Key words: students, local, nonresident, incidence, Kaliningrad.