[Healthcare at water transport].

The timely restructuring of healthcare at water transport is an issue of special importance under the social-and-economic conditions of today. The paper mirrors positive and negative aspects of the present state medical care provided to those occupied at water transport system of the North-West Okrug of the Russian Federation. The virtually identical standard of medical care rendered to the discussed category of employees is observed in other Okrugs of Russia. A model of medical care for seamen for the at-sea and on-shore conditions is put forward. In order to preserve and to promote the discussed sphere of healthcare it is necessary to preserve the positive traditions of the past and, jointly with the interested branches, departments and public and other organizations, to apply the modern methods healthcare organization, i.e. to reorganize some of the sectors, to introduce a strict Register of institutions and organizations preoccupied with medical are at water transport and to develop and to introduce new technologies in all spheres of medical care within the branch.

Non-fatal occupational injuries related to slips, trips and falls in seafaring.

BACKGROUND: Merchant seafaring often involves hazardous occupational operations and several studies have shown increased overall injury mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the risks involved in slip, trip and fall (STF) injuries in merchant seafaring, in order to point out areas for prevention. METHODS: A questionnaire study was carried out in 11 countries with 6,461 participants. The seafarers gave information on whether they were injured during their latest tour of duty, and whether STF preceded the injury. RESULTS: Of the total reported injuries 43% (n=467) were STF related. Fractures and sprains accounted for 42% of the STF injuries compared with 17% for non-STF injuries. The proportions of STF injuries for different types of ships and areas of the ships varied from < 30% to >60%, particularly work on passenger ship decks, where STF injuries were >60%. The proportions of STF injuries increased by age and by severity of the injury. CONCLUSIONS: Injuries related to STF on merchant ships were more frequent than previous estimates. There is a need for improvements in defining, reporting, and preventing STF injuries in merchant seafaring.

[Specific features of ulcer disease in sailors of the North Sea basin]. / Osobennosti techeniia iazvennoi bolezni u moriakov i rybakov Severnogo basseina.

The course of ulcer disease (UD) in sailors of the North seas was analysed and compared to that in non-sailors. UD in sailors runs with less pronounced subjective symptoms, manifests at younger age, is frequently accompanied by duodenal mucosa erosions and duodenogastric reflux. The greatest number of UD exacerbations was observed in the first month in sea and two months after getting home. Because of the fear to lose the job the sailors often do not seek medical assistance in spite of ulcer symptoms and this results in many cases of late diagnosis.