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Medicо-Biological and Socio-Psychological Problems of Safety in Emergency Situations

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No 4 (2014)
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https://doi.org/10.25016/1995-4441-2014-0-4

General Theoretical issues

5-16 412
Abstract
Statistical data on emergency situations (ES), fires and accidents on water bodies are provided for 10 years, and normalized indicators are calculated. In the 2004-2013, 5041 disasters were registered in Russia, which killed 9040 and injured 5 million 329 thousand people. Man-made disaster amounted to 57.7 %, natural - 33, bio-social - 8, major terrorist acts - 1.3 %. Local ESs were 52.1 %, municipal - 35.3, intermunicipal - 9.1, regional - 2.9, inter-regional - 0.4, federal - 0.2 %. The risk of being in a disaster or its negative consequences (R 1) was (0.35 ± 0.03) • 10 -2 per 1 thousand persons / year, annual risk of death in the 100 ES (R 2) was (185.7 ± 0.1) persons. ES number and the number of deaths in the ES gradually reduced. During the study period 2179.1 thousand fires occurred, which killed (W00-W09 ICD-10) 165.8 thousand people (including children - 4 %), 142.9 thousand were injured, 1 million 7.2 thousand people were rescued. There are (1.36 ± 0.06) fires per 1 thousand of population annually (R 1). Every day the staff of the Federal Fire Service, Emercom of Russia liquidated (531 ± 24) fires which killed (40 ± 3) and injured (35 ± 1) persons. Daily property damage from fires was (30.9 ± 3.2) million rubles. There is a trend to reducing the number of fires while material damage increases. Every 100 fires per year (R 2) accounted for (14.2 ± 0.1) victims, including (7.5 ± 0.2) dead and (6.7 ± 0.1) injured. Dynamics of reducing the risk of death in fires and increasing the risk of injury was identified. The risk of being in ES for the population of the country was 380 times less than in fire, and the risk of death in ES - as high as 25-fold average risk of death in fire. Because of accidental drowning (W65-W74 ICD-10) on water bodies (rivers, sea, reservoirs, lakes etc.), which are controlled by the State inspection for safety on the waters, Emercom of Russia, 70.5 thousand people died, (7570 ± 640) persons annually. Of the total number of accidental drownings, 35.7 % were associated with alcohol intoxication, kids were 6.2 %. The number of accidental drownings, including associated with alcohol intoxication, reduced. The average annual individual risk of death from ES per 100 thousand of population (R 3) was (0.63 ± 0.05), from fire - (10.24 ± 0.63), from accidental drowning - (5.29 ± 0.44), and from a combination of factors taken into account by Emercom of Russia - (16.18 ± 1.09) people. Russian individual risk of death in a fire is 6.1-fold higher than in the world.

Medical Issues

17-25 451
Abstract
There is a summary of using forces and means of military health service and medical forces and means of Ministry of Health of the USSR for elimination of medical and sanitary consequences at Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Object of research was definition of joint area of subject activity of the specified services. The main results of a projection of historical comparison and the analysis of information flows are presented. The joint medical force was considered reasonable for interdepartmental interaction during elimination of medical and sanitary consequences of accidents and disasters.
26-33 1283
Abstract
Effects of electric current on human beings can lead to local and general changes in tissues and organs, and in the most severe cases - to fatal outcome. The review describes the pathological processes developing as a result of electric current. Types of lesions are discussed. The data on the epidemiology of electric shock are provided along with its circumstances at home and at work in both developing and developed countries. The differences in clinical symptoms between high voltage and low voltage trauma, as well as electrical and high temperature agent exposure are shown. Risk factors in children are identified. Mortality after this type of injury is described.
34-39 276
Abstract
Barometeosensitivity was analyzed in 243 servicemen with arterial hypertension in the Extreme North Region. Correlation and regression relationships were shown between barometeosensitivity level and parameters of cardiovascular system, vegetative balance and the hormonal status in barometeosensitive servicemen with arterial hypertension in a seaside zone of the Extreme North at rest and at changes of atmospheric pressure. Pathogenetic mechanisms of barometeosensitivity were described in patients with arterial hypertension in conditions of the European Polar Region.
40-44 444
Abstract

Various approaches to diagnostics of adaptation disorders in servicemen are analyzed. For that, 57 patients of the main (servicemen) and 35 of the control (civilians) groups with anxiety and depressive symptoms were surveyed. The clinimetrical scales (HRDS, HARS, HADS), clinical-psychopathological and pictopolygraphical methods were applied. Objective and subjective estimates of mental state in servicemen seemed to differ, especially in depressive symptoms intensity. Among civilians, similar indicators did not differ reliably. Pictopolygraphical method was shown to increase accuracy when diagnosing disorders of adaptation in servicemen.

45-51 386
Abstract

The problem of dental health in conscripts remains relevant up to date. This category averages up to 30-40 % of the personnel of military units. There were analyzed: appealability for dental care, including primary one; preventive dental care coverage; need for sanation; the results of sanation, as well as the structure of requests for dental care. Appealability for dental care has a significant trend towards increase, the number of those in need for outpatient dental care remains at the level of 80-95 %, while the number of sanitized decreases gradually. It was also found that appealability for dental care for caries accounts for 43 % of cases. Thus, the results of the study show the growth of dental diseases in the military unit, which requires radical decisions in the organization of prevention and sanation of military personnel, as well as changes in the organizational structure of dental units in troops.

52-59 275
Abstract
Thickness of carotid intima-media complex and occurrence of carotid plaques are established important biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis, and they are associated with many cardiovascular risk factors. However, the impact of different risk factors on vascular structure is still not well understood. We studied 88 managerial specialists of EMERCOM of Russia with high psychosocial work stress and 32 control patients, aged 34-65. Patients underwent neuropsychological assessment to evaluate the level of work stress. B-mode carotid ultrasonography was used to assess the presence of carotid plaques and the carotid intima-media thickness. Complex laboratory diagnostics included lipid profile, values of apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, glucose, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine. The major risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis appeared to be older age, work stress (mainly due to the lack of days off), high hs-CRP, and reduced level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein ratio.

Biological Issues

60-65 313
Abstract
Hair samples and blood serum of 101 servicemen deployed in extreme conditions of the North were chemically analyzed to evaluate the elemental status. Here are the results of the research of 29 people of 25-40 years old constantly (5 or more years) serving in the North (3rd group), civilians living in the North (2nd group, n = 32) and people serving in the NorthWest region (1st group, n = 40). The obtained results show severe disturbance of element composition in this group represented in deficiency of essential and incorporation of toxic elements. The reasons for trace element status disorder can be the specific ecology of living area, occupational hazards, or the drinking water. The identified imbalance in micronutrients can alter metalloligand homeostasis in the body, thus eventually reducing functional reserves and causing various somatic pathologies, including osteoporosis.
66-69 293
Abstract
Coronary artery calcinosis was assessed via multispiral computer tomography using Agatston score and blood lipid profiles were determined in persons engaged in elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Study group included 65 men aged 52-78 years. In this group, calcification of coronary arteries was associated with increased levels of total cholesterol, cholesterol of low density lipoproteins, an atherogenic index, decreased level of high density lipoproteins. The interrelation was revealed between calcinosis score and total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins and calcinosis score.
70-78 524
Abstract
Results of semi-structured interview of 3 special experts and 143 psychologists - participants of scientific and practical conferences on the problems of extreme psychology, which took place in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Barnaul in 2012-2013 years are presented. The study concluded that special experts and respondents differ when assessing development of the domestic extreme psychology, level of interdisciplinary communications and character of generalization, basic scientific problems and practical tasks, the period of the beginning of its development, threats to its development. Comparison between historical-psychological research and survey data showed that most professionals have no common opinion on theoretical basis of domestic extreme psychology, its subject and disciplinary boundaries. Evaluation of the development and prospects of psychological knowledge and psychological practice usually ignores approaches adopted by science of science. Approaches to the development of a training system are not analyzed or are determined randomly. Certain tasks in the field of development of the training system are identified and will hopefully facilitate changes in the image of the domestic extreme psychology as purely empiric discipline.

Social and Psychological Issues

79-90 386
Abstract
The results of research of psychological consequences of combat stress are presented for 108 officers from special mobile detachment in the early and remote period after returning to civilian life. In 1 year after battle actions, constructive emotional and behavioral reactions, the lack of post-traumatic disorders were revealed in 62 % of surveyed. They are functional, optimistic, determined, courageous, demonstrate rational and constructive behavior, ability to successfully fulfill battle tasks. Two years later, survey-test revealed protective and adaptive type of personality changes, active affective and behavioral reactions, certain defensive-adaptive type of personality changes was revealed in 21.3 % of combatants, with active emotional and behavioral response and prenosological signes of post-traumatic stress disorder. They are characterized with impulsiveness, individualistic judgement, tough-mindedness, self-sufficiency, emotional indifference, low volitional control of emotions and behavior. The adaptation is achieved through mobilizing body resources, actualization of psychological protective mechanisms. Three years after battle actions, 16.7 % of officers show passive stress reaction, negative nonpathological personality changes, increased level of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Pessimism, expansiveness, social withdrawal, suspiciousness, constriction, low stress resistance, social passivity and social dependence are inherent to them.
91-94 374
Abstract
Indicators of mental rigidity were studied in 75 professionals of the Federal Fire Service, Emercom of Russia (St. Petersburg). Examination was based upon holistic value approach within the integrative anthropological psychology; Tomsk rigidity questionnaire by Zalewski (TORZ) was used. According to TORZ scales, firefighters had mental rigidity of moderate severity. Direct correlation was identified between indicators of mental rigidity and experience in the Fire Service, Emercom of Russia. There were 10 (13.5%) firefighters with low mental rigidity and formed rigid (fixed) behaviors by TORZ. They comprised the risk group for disrupted vocational adaptation. Target for psychological correction of mental rigidity were defined.
95-101 1045
Abstract
The interrelation and dynamics of psychiatric morbidity and psychological instability in the draft contingent of St. Petersburg is shown. The role of nervous and mental stability as one of the main criteria for assessing the state of mental adaptation of servicemen in the course of professional activities is determined. There is a lack of predictability of the results of professional psychological selection in urban military commissariat that may be due, primarily, to the dynamics of mental qualities and excessive tension of body regulatory resources at the initial stage of the military professional adaptation. The number of persons with category 4 professional competence in military units (14.7-21.1 %), compared to the psychological examination of conscripts in military commissariats (1.6-3.7 %) was increased. Erroneous forecast for assignment into groups of vocational suitability at the call for military service in the military commissariat can reach 37-47 %. It is necessary to improve the psychological support of conscripts in the course of professional activities, especially in the initial period of military professional adaptation, in order to identify individuals with poor neuro-psychological stability.


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ISSN 1995-4441 (Print)
ISSN 2541-7487 (Online)