Ship Size as a Factor in Illness Incidence
Abstract
Outpatient illnesses were examined in an effort to determine if disease and non-battle injury rates differ by ship size, and if so, whether the difference is constant across various operational theaters. Investigation of overall illness rates by ship size for East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and Europe revealed a lower rate for large ships (aircraft carriers) when compared with small ships (destroyers and frigates) for each of the theaters; these rate differences were significant for the East Asia deployment and the Indian Ocean region. Among major categories of disease, significantly higher rates aboard the small vessels were seen in at least two of the geographic regions for respiratory disorders, digestive diseases, and musculoskeletal problems. The diagnostic categories of infective and parasitic diseases, skin and subcutaneous disorders, as well as symptoms and ill-defined disorders were higher for small ships in two or more theaters with one of the rate differences reaching a level of significance It was concluded that ship size is a factor in illness incidence and should be considered by medical resource planners when determining necessary medical supplies and required health care personnel. Keywords: Military medicine; Health surveys.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 08, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA203942
Entities
People
- C. G. Blood
- D. K. Griffith
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center