Military medical characteristics of female soldiers who were hospitalized during the counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus (1999-2002)
In the overall structure of those hospitalized in military hospitals of the country the proportion of female soldiers who were in the area of counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus in 1999-2002 was negligible (about 1 %). Of the women who received medical care, 90.2 % served under military contract and 9.8 % were civilian personnel. 76.6 % of female soldiers have military ranks of privates and sergeants. Among hospitalized, medical professionals (57.4 %) and employees of military depots and catering services (19.1 %) dominated, which can be explained by their greater numbers. Differences in age among women of different military ranks were significant (p < 0.01). 18.5 % of hospitalized women had battle (10.7 %) and household injuries and trauma, 29.2 % - infectious diseases, 29.8 % - somatic disorders, 21.9 % - gynecological diseases and pregnancy and its complications. Leading causes of hospitalization in the officers were infectious diseases (55.6 %), in warrant officers - injuries (26.5 %) and somatic disorders (50 %), in female privates and sergeants -infectious (33.3 %) and somatic (45.4 %) diseases. Distribution of hospitalized women in clinical groups was statistically significantly associated with their military specialties (p < 0.05). Older female soldiers consistently tended to be hospitalized for physical illnesses, and younger female soldiers were more frequently hospitalized for infectious diseases. 17 % of female soldiers received inpatient care at one stage of medical evacuation (in one medical institution), 46.7 % - at two and 36.3 % - at three stages. Age, military rank and specialty had not statistical relationships with the number of stages of medical evacuation. Medical care for injuries and wounds was completed at one or two stages in only 47 % of cases. Not only the severity of the injury, but also the need for reconstructive treatment may have contributed to increased number of stages of evacuation. It is also likely that in case of gynecological pathology, the number of stages could be reduced if primary care gynecologists were available. Results of the analysis of military health characteristics suggest that the medical service and the command should address a number of problems related to health and medical care in women soldiers at the battle field.