Occupational Physical Demands and Hospitalization Rates in U.S. Navy Personnel

Abstract

This study examined the health effects of performing physically demanding jobs. Hospitalization rates for 41 diseases were examined in a sample of 59 U.S. Navy entry-level enlisted occupations. As predicted, higher physical demand ratings (PDRs) were associated with higher rates of musculoskeletal disease (r = .594), accidental injury (r = .627), and inguinal hernia (r = .594). Cellulitis (r = .600), alcohol abuse (r = .496), and acute alcohol intoxication (r = .643) were strong PDR correlates that were not predicted. Musculoskeletal disease, accidental injury, inguinal hernia, and cellulitis are logical consequences of physical exertion. Taking these four diseases as the health effects of occupational physical demands, a highly demanding occupation (i.e., 9O% percentile) will have one more hospitalization per year for every 124 sailors at risk than will a low demand occupation (i.e., 10th percentile).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA370222

Entities

People

  • Linda K. Hervig
  • Ross R. Vickers

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Databases
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Hernia
  • Hospitalizations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Personnel
  • Navy
  • Patient Care
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychology

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Naval Personnel Management