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Viral hepatitis in the U.S. military: a study of hospitalization records from 1974 to 1999

K C Hyams1, T C Smith, J Riddle

  • 1Epidemiology Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA. HyamsC@aol.com

Military Medicine
|October 18, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Hospitalizations for viral hepatitis among active duty military personnel significantly decreased from 1989 to 1999. This decline in hepatitis risk is linked to reduced injection drug use due to routine drug testing.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Military Medicine

Background:

  • Viral hepatitis poses a persistent health risk to military personnel.
  • Concerns exist regarding hepatitis C virus transmission within military service, highlighted by high prevalence in veteran populations.
  • Understanding trends in viral hepatitis hospitalizations is crucial for military health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate hospitalization rates for viral hepatitis among active duty U.S. military personnel.
  • To identify trends in hepatitis hospitalizations from 1989 to 1999.
  • To explore demographic factors associated with hepatitis hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of standardized computer records for first hospitalizations due to hepatitis.
  • Inclusion of active duty U.S. military personnel data from January 1, 1989, to December 31, 1999.
  • Calculation of hospitalization rates per 100,000 personnel.

Main Results:

  • A significant decline in acute hepatitis hospitalizations was observed, from 13 to 1.1 per 100,000 personnel between 1989 and 1999.
  • Males, nonwhite racial/ethnic groups, and older military personnel showed higher likelihoods of hospitalization for acute hepatitis.
  • The declining trend in acute hepatitis hospitalizations is a continuation of a pattern noted since 1974.

Conclusions:

  • The decreasing incidence of viral hepatitis in the U.S. military is evident.
  • Factors contributing to this decline include reduced injection drug use, likely influenced by routine, randomized drug testing.
  • Continued surveillance and preventive measures remain important for military health.

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