Infectious Disease Rates in the U.S. Navy, 1980-1995
Abstract
The impact of increasing numbers of women in the US Navy, particularly those aboard Navy ships, on infectious disease risk, is unknown. This study examines gender and other demographic differences among all US Navy enlisted personnel in first hospitalizations for infectious and parasitic diseases from 1980 through 1989 (N = 33,334 first hospitalizations), and it identifies trends in incidence rates of first hospitalization across this 10-year time period. It also examines trends in first hospitalization rates of certain infectious diseases according to admissions to shore-based facilities during the extended period from 1980-1995. All information used in the study was from official personnel and medical records. First hospitalization rates were computed using the Epidemiological Interactive System, a computerized program that permits rapid access to and analyses of epidemiological data. Varicella and other viruses and chlamydiae accounted for more than 20,000 hospitalizations among Navy enlisted personnel in the 1980s. In 7 of the 12 categories of common infectious diseases, women's rates were higher than those for men, particularly for viral meningitis, herpes simplex, syphilis, gonococcal disease, and candidiasis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA381292
Entities
People
- C. Garland
- E. K.Eric Gunderson
- L. L. Hourani
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center