Health Of Military Personnel Research Articles

Justification of the need to develop professional competence in future officers

The article examines the concept of professional competence and establishes that this concept does not have an unambiguous definition. In this regard, we decided to consider it as a basic characteristic of a personality. Professional competence consists of a set of knowledge, skills and abilities that allow one to perform professional duties effectively and efficiently. It has been established that the professional competence of future officers implies the availability of a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the effective performance of military tasks and responsible decision-making in any conditions. It includes not only an understanding of military strategy and tactics, but also the ability to lead, manage personnel, make strategic decisions and resolve critical situations. The results of the analysis of the educational process of future officers of higher military educational institutions have shown that there are discrepancies between their training and the real experience they gain in full-scale military conflicts, in particular, in the field of engineering support of the National Guard of Ukraine. These discrepancies can have a significant impact on the life and health of military personnel. An empirical study was conducted to confirm the hypothesis that there are such discrepancies between the training of future officers and their actual experience in the field of engineering support of the National Guard of Ukraine. For this purpose, the methods of observation and survey were used. Based on the results of the empirical study, we can note that the training of officers needs to be adapted to modern realities and challenges. In order to achieve a high level of professional competence of future officers, it is necessary to introduce innovative technologies and teaching methods into the educational process. The issue of professional competence development is extremely relevant, especially in the context of future officers, since the security of our borders and the sovereignty of the state depend on their professional skills

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Military Health Personnel During High-Intensity Conflict: The Crucial Issue of Triage.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. It has forced countries to prepare for engagement on a massive scale, namely, a high-intensity war between nation states. A potential massive influx of wounded personnel risks saturating logistical supply chains and requires changes to not only medical care but also a paradigm shift. In this context, the principle of distributive justice is key. The aim is to save as many lives as possible through triage, which consists in "doing the greatest good for the greatest number." This idea is fundamental, as an emergency that has passed is no longer an emergency. However, international texts and treaties not only underline that the sole criterion for triage is clinical severity, but they also fail to take into account the patient's status (civilian, friend, and foe). In a high-intensity warfare situation, these texts, and the medical-surgical triage criteria they provide are insufficient, as caregivers may be required to make decisions based on the status of the patient. The need to make such choices could cause psychological suffering among military caregivers, as individuals are recurrently faced with difficult ethical dilemmas. One way to prevent this happening is to provide predeployment training in wartime medical ethics. The latter would include both instruction in international humanitarian law and practical simulations of clinical situations where the person is faced with an ethical dilemma.

Body composition as a marker of performance and health in military personnel.

Body composition standards are set to ensure operational readiness in active-duty military personnel. To meet body composition standards, some individuals, however, may engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors (i.e., weight cycling and disordered eating). The objectives of this review are to: (1) evaluate the evidence regarding body composition and the associations to physical and military specific performance; (2) discuss body composition and potential health consequences; and (3) examine the evidence of weight cycling and disordered eating behaviors in military personnel for weight control. A systematic search to identify peer-reviewed research articles was conducted in PubMed on 2/20/2023 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) including but not limited to "Military Personnel", "Tactical Athlete", "Weight Loss", "Body Composition", and "Weight Cycling". A total of 225 research articles were identified. The list was narrowed down to articles from the last 20 years (2003-2023) in military personnel. Only studies in which percent body fat was directly measured were included resulting in 17 research articles for this review. Evidence-based research is limited on the relationship between body composition and operational readiness. Weight cycling and disordered eating behaviors also has been reported for weight control, yet additional research is needed. Specifically, future research should focus on female service members, racial and ethnic differences, age, and postpartum status and include other service branches (i.e., Air Force and Navy). A comprehensive survey on weight cycling, disordered eating, and weight management would be valuable to determine the prevalence and extent of this issue. This information along with performance data would guide policy makers on the relevance and appropriateness of existing body composition standards.

Psychological rehabilitation of combatants in Ukraine from 2014 to 2021: statistics and current status

Military action in eastern Ukraine [Anti-terrorist Operation (ATO)] has a significant impact on the psyche of combat participants and causes changes in the life activities and behaviour of the individuals concerned. The traumatic experience gained during hostilities has a negative impact on the health of military personnel. According to psychiatrists’ forecasts, in the best-case scenario, 20% of combatants in Ukraine will be diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, which has already been given the name “ATO syndrome”. Given this, there is now an urgent need for rehabilitation activities, and the new conditions of hybrid warfare require social service professionals to respond quickly to combatants’ requests to organise and deliver comprehensive rehabilitation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the provision and conduct of psychological rehabilitation of combatants in Ukraine from 2014 to 2021.Philosophical and general scientific methods were employed to achieve the aim. Among the general scientific methods, the theoretical (analysis, generalisation, classification, and synthesis) and empirical (description and comparison) levels should be highlighted. Also, a bibliosemantic method was used to summarise the analysis of the subject literature and our own experimental data. In addition, various programs were employed to rehabilitate the military. For example, the “Cyber Defenders” project, which was launched in 2021. This involved 30 veterans who will receive a certificate in cybersecurity upon graduation. The E-Veteran system, which allows veterans to seek psychological support, was also analyzed.As the main results, it is worth mentioning that psychological rehabilitation is a pool of psychophysiological, psychotherapeutic, organisational, and medical measures aimed at the resumption of lost mental functions and psychocorrection of the social status of military personnel who have suffered mental combat trauma. The study analysed the mental state and profile of servicemen and servicewomen, the psychological and psychiatric problems that affected them, and government programmes and projects to support and assist ATO/JFO(Joint Forces Operation) veterans. Regarding the process of psychological rehabilitation for military personnel in Ukraine itself, positive trends can be observed since 2014, such as the opening of the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs, but in the light of current threats and challenges, these undertakings are still insufficient.The system of psychological assistance and rehabilitation of ATO participants should be considered a component of the national security of the state. The article is of practical value in a range of areas, including in political, social work, pedagogical, and educational fields, as well as having application in criminal justice and the law.

Relevant issues of hygienic and sanitary education of military personnel in modern conditions

Introduction. Maintaining the health in military personnel is impossible without hygienic training, education and sanitary education, for which it is necessary to conduct research that allows updating the knowledge base and ways to bring them to the military. 
 Materials and methods. In February – April 2022, a cross-sectional medical and social study was carried out by interviewing military personnel serving under a contract. The volume of the sample population was 352 people. The effect of independent factors on the targets was evaluated by regression analysis using the method of constructing polynomial logistic regression. 
 Results. Information about reasons of the most common diseases among military personnel in the region was not important for 39.8%, and information about prevention these diseases – for 33% of respondents. When asked about the frequency of hygienic education classes, the 55.9% of respondents noted the frequency of 1 once a month and less often. The most convenient form of communicating information in the hygienic education system, 33.8% of respondents chose a lecture format, another 31.3% indicated a way to disseminate information through the Internet site. For 45.2% of respondents, information about respiratory diseases was most relevant at the time of the survey. The importance of knowledge about reasons of the most common diseases among military personnel was influenced by marital status, monthly income, number of children, frequency of alcohol consumption, presence of chronic diseases, and weight of military personnel. The assessment of the importance of knowledge about the prevention of these diseases was significantly influenced by military rank and frequency of alcohol consumption. 
 Limitations. The volume of a sample of 352 contracted servicemen serving in the Severodvinsk garrison; climatogeographic features of the region; cross-sectional nature of the study. 
 Conclusion. The obtained data make it possible to justify the need to modernize the existing system of hygienic education, including creating specialized Internet resources, and using modern marketing achievements to create the necessary motivation for military personnel. The existing nature of planning training in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation requires its correction, taking into account the importance of the issue of forming a healthy behaviour among military personnel.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in military health personnel in training exposed to COVID-19

Objective The COVID-19 health crisis triggered an increase in prevalence of psychological distress in health personnel in training. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress in health personnel who have cared for patients with COVID-19. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out, from March to September 2021, among health personnel enrolled in some medical specialty of the Military Graduate School of Health. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress were measured, as well as associated demographic factors. Results A study sample of 170 health personnel in training were surveyed online; 76% reported being a doctor and 24% were nurses, 54% were female sex, 52% in the age group between 30 and 39 years, most with single marital status and no children. Of the participating health personnel, we found prevalence’s of 30% anxiety, 34% depression, and 6% post-traumatic stress. When performing Pearson’s correlation, it was found that variables such as infected family member, number of times infected, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), were significantly associated with the total of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) score. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant psychological impact, manifesting itself in the form of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in military health personnel in training. Therefore, it is of great importance to detect at least this psychic discomfort from the pandemic in front-line personnel, so that decision-makers in health policies address them as priority problems for health personnel.

Reliability of Force Plate Metrics During Standard Jump, Balance, and Plank Assessments in Military Personnel.

Prevention of musculoskeletal injury is vital to the readiness, performance, and health of military personnel with the use of specialized systems (e.g., force plates) to assess risk and/or physical performance of interest. This study aimed to identify the reliability of one specialized system during standard assessments in military personnel. Sixty-two male and ten female Australian Army soldiers performed a two-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), one-leg CMJ, one-leg balance, and one-arm plank assessments using a Sparta Science force plate system across three testing sessions. Sparta Science (e.g., total Sparta, balance and plank scores, jump height, and injury risk) and biomechanical (e.g., average eccentric rate of contraction, average concentric force, and sway velocity) variables were recorded for all sessions. Mean ± SD, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficient of variation, and bias and limits of agreement were calculated for all variables. Mean results were similar between sessions 2 and 3 (P > .05). The relative reliability for the Sparta Science (ICC = 0.28-0.91) and biomechanical variables (ICC = 0.03-0.85) was poor to excellent. The mean absolute reliability (coefficient of variation) for Sparta Science variables was similar to or lower than that of the biomechanical variables during the CMJ (1-10% vs. 3-7%), one-leg balance (4-6% vs. 9-14%), and one-arm plank (5-7% vs. 12-17%) assessments. The mean bias for most variables was small (<5% of the mean), while the limits of agreement varied with most unacceptable (±6-87% of the mean). The reliability of most Sparta Science and biomechanical variables during standard assessments was moderate to good. The typical variability in metrics documented will assist practitioners with the use of emerging technology to monitor and assess injury risk and/or training interventions in military personnel.

Features of the military population health in the arctic zone

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.

Test-Retest Reliability and Translation of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol Questionnaire Used in the Swedish Armed Forces.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in military personnel are common, and it is important to identify those at risk so that appropriate preventive and rehabilitative strategies can be undertaken. The Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol (MSP) questionnaire is part of the implemented prevention strategy to reduce MSDs in the Swedish Armed Forces. The aims of this study were to evaluate the questionnaire's reliability and to translate it into English. One-week test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated in a sample of 35 Swedish military personnel. Reliability was evaluated by calculations of Cohen's kappa or quadratic-weighted kappa. Percent agreement was used as a parameter for measurement error. Translation into English included forward and backward translations and expert committee discussions. Kappa values relating to physical complaints/injuries were excellent (>0.75) except for knee and lower leg MSDs and for the intensity ratings, where Kappa values were mostly interpreted as fair-to-good (0.4-0.75). Kappa values of items pertaining physical performance, physical activity and exercise, eating and tobacco habits, sleep, and perceived health ranged between 0.72 and 1. Kappa values for feeling mentally or physical prepared were 0.47 and 0.65, respectively. Most percentage agreement values ranged between 90% and 100%. The English version was found to be satisfactorily equivalent to the Swedish MSP questionnaire. The Swedish MSP questionnaire was found to be highly reliable and was satisfactorily translated into English. This provides support for the questionnaire's ability to trustworthily capture the prevalence of MSDs and perceived health in military personnel. Future research is warranted on the psychometric properties of the English MSP questionnaire.

Classification of stressful factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine among Ukrainian military personnel

The COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine have caused psychological distress, which has led to mental and physical health problems and changes in the behavior patterns of many people. It is known that the cause of such stress in the civilian population is not a pandemic or quarantine in general, but only some of their components. However, although COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine can provoke health disorders also in military personnel, stressful factors directly triggering these disorders have not yet been identified. Aim: to identify the immediate stressors that threaten Ukrainian military personnel health during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Zaporizhzhia Military Hospital and Zaporizhzhia State Medical University between March 2020 and May 2020. A total of 25 military personnel hospitalized during this period were examined. Clinical, psychopathological, psychological examinations was conducted. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was also used. Results. The stressful factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, which had provoked health disorders in military personnel, have been identified and systematized into four groups: vital fears, social fears, domestic and organizational stress, abstract experiences. All these groups have been also described here. Conclusions. Identification of psychogenic factors will help to determine targets for psychotherapy and reduce the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine and prevent a decline in fighting capacity.

The effect of sixteen weeks of functional training on quality of life and mental health in military personnel

Background and Aim: Military personnel are exposed to some work stress due to their working conditions, which causes negative effects on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sixteen weeks of functional training on quality of life and mental health of military personnel. Research method: In the present Quasi-experimental research, 150 military personnel from Andimeshk and Dezfoul sities were selected by random sampling method and divided in two training and control groups. Exercise was performed for sixteen weeks of functional training, three sessions per week, and each training session lasted about 60-90 minutes. T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: After the training period, there was a significant improvement in the quality of life sub-comparisons of physical function, physical role, emotional role, energy and vitality, social function, physical pain, and general health in the functional training group compared to the control group, but the difference No significance was observed in cognitive health between the two groups. In the subscales of mental health, a significant improvement in physical symptoms, anxiety symptoms and sleep and social dysfunction was observed in the functional exercise group compared to the control group, but a significant difference in changes in depressive symptoms was observed in the functional exercise group compared to the control group. Failed. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it can be said that functional exercises have improved the quality of life of military personnel by improving their mental health.

Investigating the Relationship Between Job Stress and General Health in Military Personnel of Zahedan City in 2015-2016

Background: Job is one of the most important areas of each person's life. Job-induced stress, if severe, can cause mental and physical harm to people.Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between job stress and general health in the military personnel of the 88th Armored Division of Zahedan Army in 2015-2016.Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytical study that has been performed on 120 personnel of the 88th Armored Division of Zahedan. Occupational stress (HSE) and general health (GHQ) questionnaires were used to collect information.Findings: The data obtained from the general health questionnaire show high anxiety in staff and the job stress questionnaire indicates a problem in the subscales of control and change. In other subscales of general health and job stress, no problem was reported and in general, the staff is in good condition. There is a significant relationship between general health scores and job stress at the level of pp <0.05.Conclusion: Each job according to its specific working conditions can be the cause of specific job stressors of the same job. Therefore, it is recommended to take the necessary measures to reduce these problems.

Thematic Analysis of Military Medical Ethics Publications From 2000 to 2020-A Bibliometric Approach.

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere has been external criticism of the compliance of military health personnel with internationally agreed principles in military medical ethics (MME). In response, a number of authors have called for clarity on the principles and topics within the domain of MME. This complements an increased acknowledgment of the need for education in MME for military health personnel. Our paper utilizes bibliometric techniques to identify key themes in MME to inform the development of a curriculum for this subject.Materials and MethodsWe designed a search strategy to find publications over the period January 1, 2000-December 31, 2020 in the domain of MME from the three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, using the search string (ethic* OR bioethics* OR moral*) AND military AND (medic* OR health*). We obtained a total of 1,115 publications after duplication removal. After exclusion based on topic, year, and study design, we analyzed a total of 633 publications using Scopus’s embedded analysis tool and the software VOSViewer. We generated a co-occurrence word map from the abstracts of each of the publications. We deduced themes of MME based on the clusters shown in the word map, and we categorized each publication into one of these themes to analyze the change of themes over time.ResultsWe observed a 10-fold increase in annual publications on MME between 2000 and 2020. The majority of papers were written by U.S. (72%) and UK (13%) authors, although a total of 15 countries were represented. After using VOSViewer to identify co-occurring keywords in titles and abstracts from these publications, nine themes were identified: biomedical research, care to detained populations, disaster/triage, mental health, patient-focused foundations, technology, dual loyalty, education/training, and frameworks. The relative proportion of each of these themes changed over the study period, with mental health being dominant by the end.ConclusionsThis study has identified key themes that might inform the development of a curriculum for teaching MME. It is noticeable that the majority of themes cover MME from the perspective of professional practice on military operations; noting, the research and technology themes also pertain to the generation of knowledge for military operations. There were a limited number of publications covering practice in the non-deployed or garrison settings, and these were codified under the themes of “framework” and “dual loyalty”. The results are skewed toward English-speaking countries and exclude non-academic publications. Further work will search for other open-source information and non-English publications. To our knowledge, this exploratory bibliometric analysis on MME in the academic literature is the first of its kind. This article has demonstrated the use of bibliometric techniques to evaluate the evolution of knowledge in MME, including the identification of key themes. These will be used to support further work to develop a curriculum for the teaching of MME to military medical audiences.

Comparative assessment of premorbid period parameters and functional diagnostics indicators in military personnel with neurotic disorders

Relevance. Combat missions imply high requirements for assessing mental health in military personnel. Among these requirements is the need to include functional assessment taking into account ontogenetic factors, compensatory and sanogenetic processes, personal and adaptive behavioral characteristics. At the same time, a number of authors note that the premorbid period of mental disorders can determine differences in the mental state during the period of manifestation of clinical symptoms.Intention. To investigate the relationship between the parameters of the functional state and the characteristics of the premorbid period of neurotic disorders in military personnel.Methodology. The study involved 78 male servicemen (average age 21.6 ± 2.6 years) with neurotic mental disorders. We studied information about the premorbid period, parameters of mental health functional assessment (bioelectric activity of the brain, cognitive functioning, behavioral characteristics, the global assessment of functioning).Results and Discussion. There were found statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) weak correlations between the number of adverse factors in the premorbid period and such indicators of the functional state as the severity of electroencephalographic disorders (r = 0.365); maladaptive behavior (r = 0.287), and statistically significant moderate correlation (r = –0.531) with the level of global functioning during the period of the greatest severity of neurotic symptoms.Conclusion. The data obtained in the study will make it possible to improve the forecast of the restoration of the working capacity of servicemen who have suffered from neurotic disorders, as well as the system of professional selection of applicants entering higher military educational institutions.

Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder and their relationship to health-related behaviors in over 12,000 US military personnel: Bi-directional associations

Background Military personnel are at greater risk of psychological disorders and related symptoms than civilians. Limited participation in health-promoting behaviors may increase presence of these disorders. Alternatively, these symptoms may limit engagement in health-promoting behaviors.Methods Self-reported data from the 2015 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey were used to assess bi-directional relationships between health-related behaviors (obesity, physical activity [PA], alcohol, smoking, sleep) and self-reported psychological disorders (generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], depression, post-traumatic disorder [PTSD]) in U.S. military personnel.Outcomes Among 12 708 respondents (14.7% female; 28.2% 17−24 y; 13.7% obese), self-reported depression was reported by 9.2%, GAD by 13.9%, and PTSD by 8.2%. Obesity and short sleep were associated with self-reported depression, GAD, and PTSD; current smoking was associated with higher odds of GAD; higher levels of vigorous PA were associated with lower odds of GAD; higher levels of moderate PA associated with lower odds of PTSD; and higher alcohol intake associated with higher odds of depression and PTSD. Self-reported depression, GAD, and PTSD were associated with higher odds of short sleep, obesity, and low levels of PA.Interpretation Obesity, short sleep, and limited engagement in health-promoting behaviors are associated with higher likelihood of self-reported psychological disorders, and vice-versa. Encouraging and improving health-promoting behaviors may contribute to positive mental health in military personnel.

The possibilities of using medical information systems in the management of medical support for troops

It is difficult In the field of medical support for troops, the main method of recording, accumulating and transmitting military medical information is various medical information systems. However, the implementation of the needs of management bodies in information support for management decision-making is possible only when organizing the interaction of the MIS with all information systems for medical purposes, the information systems of interacting services, the formation of the necessary technical infrastructure and communication channels for military purposes, as well as the formation of a comprehensive information and analytical support for the activities of military management bodies both on the basis of existing information systems and with the help of specialized software. The modern features of building information systems in the interests of the medical service, the system of protecting the health of citizens and military personnel in peacetime and for a special period are studied. The characteristics of the existing and future information systems of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and interacting information systems for military purposes are given. The order of receipt, accumulation, processing and further use of information on the health of military personnel, the volume and structure of sanitary losses, the activities of units, units and organizations of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is defined. Promising options for the use of information and analytical data in improving the efficiency and quality of the organization of the processes of managing the medical support of the troops are proposed (2 figs, 1 table, bibliography: 16 refs).

Centenary on the protection of the health of military communication workers

The main historical dates of formation and formation of the system of preservation and improvement of health of military personnel from among students (cadets and listeners) and permanent staff (faculty and supporting) of the Military Telecommunications Academy named after the Soviet Union Marshal Budienny S. M. for 100 years are presented. The place and role of the medical service of the Military Telecommunications Academy in the training of military liaison officers are covered. A historical report on the formation of a system of training of military specialists and their health protection is presented. The medical service of the Military Telecommunications Academy, as a structural unit, began operations in 1932. During the ninety-year period of work, the medical service of the Military Telecommunications Academy has gone through a difficult and long path of its formation and development. It was served and employed by various specialists who left significant contributions to the maintenance and preservation of the health of all categories of students and faculty. Today’s days of medical service of the Military Telecommunications Academy are the prevention of the most significant diseases for military personnel, in particular respiratory organs and cardiovascular system. The management of the Academy constantly interacts with the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, 442 Military clinical hospital of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, as well as in its branches and structural subdivisions. The level of morbidity, hospitalization and labour loss of military personnel of the Military Telecommunications Academy remains quite low. This is facilitated by the good equipment of the functional offices of the medical clinic and the polyclinic of the Academy, where surgical (outpatient), therapeutic, gynaecological and dental care is provided to various contingents of persons entitled by law to receive free medical care.

Rates of dismissal due to health reasons among conscripts in the Republic of Belarus depending on service periods (2003–2018)

Relevance. One of the most reliable and robust indicators of the health of military personnel is dismissal due to health reasons, it is practically not affected by external distortions, and dismissal-related nosologies are determined in hospital and subsequently approved by military medical experts.Intention. Analysis of the dismissal rate due to health reasons among conscripts in the Republic of Belarus for 16 years (2003-2018).Methodology. We conducted a statistical analysis of annual medical reports about the state of health and morbidity of conscripts (form N 3/MED) and annual reports about medical examination (form N 5/CVVK). Dismissal rates for the entire service time and for the periods I (0–6 months), II (7–12 months) and III (13–18 months) were identified and analyzed. Dismissal-related nosologies were correlated with the codes of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Behavioral Disorders and Injuries, 10th revision (ICD-10).Results and Discussion. The average annual dismissal rate for conscripts from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus for 16 years from 2003 to 2018 amounted to (15.62 ± 0.58) ‰, including (8.11 ± 0.36) ‰ in the first period of service, (5.24 ± 0.28) ‰ in the II period and (2.27 ± 0.09) ‰ in the III period, i.e. 51.9, 33.5 and 14.6 %, respectively in the structure of dismissal for the entire period of service. The main reasons for the dismissal of conscripts from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus were mental and behavioral disorders (ICD-10 chapter V), digestive diseases (chapter XI), diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (chapter XIII), cardiovascular system diseases (chapter IX) and skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases (chapter XII) with levels of (4.74 ± 0.35), (2.74 ± 0.31), (2.13 ± 0.18), (1.80 ± 0.30) and (0.73 ± 0.09) ‰, respectively. In the structure of dismissal, the rates of these diseases amounted to 77.7 %. When analyzing the leading classes, during the periods of service the military-epidemiological significance of dismissals due to mental disorders and behavioral disorders (chapter V), cardiovascular system diseases (chapter IX), skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases (chapter XII) turned out to decrease, and military-epidemiological significance of dismissals due to diseases of the digestive system (chapter XI) increased. In addition, during periods of service the number of dismissals of conscripts with certain infectious and parasitic diseases (chapter I), with injuries, poisoning and some other consequences of external causes (chapter XIX) increased. Most commonly, conscripts were dismissed from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus due to diseases of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (K20–K31 according to ICD-10), personality and behavioral disorders in adulthood (F60– F69), neurotic, associated with stress, and somatoform disorders (F40–F48), other heart diseases (pericarditis, endocarditis, etc., I30–I52) and mood disorders (affective disorders, F30–F39). In the structure of dismissal, percentages amounted to 13.7, 9.1, 6.3, 4.1 and 4.1 %, respectively; in total – 37.3 %.Conclusion. The medical and statistical indicators of dismissal can help calculate the likelihood of health disorders associated with daily life and military service, and determine the strategy of the medical service in taking measures for recreation and rehabilitation of potential and actual conscripts.

Caregiver Health: An Epidemiological Study of Active Duty Parents with Special Needs Children

Caregivers of children with Special Healthcare Needs (SHN) are at an elevated risk for adverse health outcomes among the general population; research among military populations is lacking. Records of active duty personnel and children born between 2007 and 2009 were extracted from two military databases. Children with SHN were identified using 3M Clinical Risk Grouping (CRG) software. Active duty personnel were categorized into three parental groups and were followed through 2014 for diagnoses of hypertension, migraines, and sleep disorders. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses. The total study population consisted of 1,423,216 active duty personnel, and 10% of parents had a child with SHN. For migraines and sleep disorders, parents of children with SHN showed the highest odds of diagnoses. The odds of hypertension diagnoses were lowest in parents of children without SHN. Effects of parental status also varied by sex. The present study is the first to examine differences in military personnel health outcomes as a function of both parenting status and sex. Findings support continued use and possible expansion of current military programs designed to support families of children with SHN.

Analysis of the provision of paradontology in the Armed forces of the Russian Federation

A statistical study of the appeal to the dental clinic of S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy patients who were diagnosed with chronic generalized periodontitis, as well as the analysis of treatment methods for inflammatory periodontal diseases in the Armed Forces based on data from the Main Military Medical Directorate for 2012-2018. Analysis of treatment methods for chronic generalized periodontitis in the military unit indicates the choice of a radical method - tooth extraction. Most patients who applied to the clinic of maxillofacial surgery and surgical dentistry were diagnosed with a severe degree of chronic generalized periodontitis. Basically, patchwork operations were performed on the upper jaw and lower jaw. The proportion of patients with moderate severity of chronic generalized periodontitis prevailed in the dental clinic. In the conditions of the dental clinic, no flap periodontal operations were performed, most often the method of curettage of periodontal pockets was used, which was carried out to improve the quality of the intervention according to classical recommendations in the field of several teeth, including using high-tech equipment. Timely and high-quality comprehensive treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases is the basis for successful activities to reduce periodontal morbidity and improve oral health in military personnel. Due to the relevance of inflammatory periodontal diseases in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the choice of treatment method should be based on etiological and pathogenetic therapy, dentists should abandon the radical method of tooth extraction.