Epidemiology of Illness, Injury, and Attrition Among Select U.S. Military Female Populations.
Abstract
Evidence suggests that female military populations are at greater risk than their male counterparts for certain training and combat-related illnesses and injuries. Precise etiologies, risk factors, and impact of disease and injury in military women are not available. The objective of this prospective, multi-site, epidemiologic study is to define the patterns of illness and injury in military women. Musculoskeletal injuries have been emphasized due to their high cost in terms of morbidity, lost training time, and attrition. A computer-based outpatient tracking system for on-site, prospective data collection, originally designed for studying male trainees, was developed. This system was modified to include medical diagnoses pertinent to female personnel, and it has been implemented at (1) OCS, Quantico (USMC female officers); (2) MCRD, Parris Island (USMC enlisted women); and (3) RTC, Great Lakes (USN enlisted women). At NCRD, - Parris Island, only musculoskeletal injuries were recorded. Over 90% of female Navy recruits and Marine Corps officer candidates reported to medical at least once. Forty-nine percent of all female recruits reported at least one musculoskeletal injury during training. Incidence rates for specific diseases and injury diagnoses were presented by type of military training. Databases will be used to address morbidity and attrition issues and to target areas for future preventive interventions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA327395
Entities
People
- Richard A. Shaffer
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center