Longitudinal Study of Health Risks Associated with U.S. Navy Diver Classification.

Abstract

The objectives of this longitudinal study were to identify the health risks (hospitalizations) unique to eight U.S. Navy diver classifications (n = 3,748) and to determine if the observed age-adjusted frequencies of hospitalizations were significantly higher than expected for all divers. Results indicated that five of the eight diver groups had significantly fewer total hospitalizations than expected while no group had more observed than expected admissions. The only diving-related health-risks identified were the higher rates for musculoskeletal disorders in UDT/SEAL divers and symptoms and ill-defined conditions in master divers. The type of dive performed seemed to have more of an influence on health outcomes than extent of diving exposure. The lower than expected frequencies of hospitalizations were explained in terms of physical fitness, diver requalifications, elitism and camaraderie, love of diving, monetary remuneration, and symptom denial. Keywords: U.S. Navy enlisted divers; U.S. Navy diving officers; Hospitalization rates; Pain symptomatology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA163100

Entities

People

  • Anne L. Hoiberg

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Digestive System
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Divers
  • Explosives
  • Frequency
  • Health Services
  • Hospitalizations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Parasitic Diseases
  • Patient Care
  • Physical Fitness
  • Security
  • Therapy
  • Virus Diseases

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