%0 Journal Article
%T Risk factors for merchant seafarer repatriation due to injury or illness at sea
%J International maritime health
%D 2015
%A Lefkowitz, Rafael Y.
%A Slade, Martin D.
%A Redlich, Carrie A.
%V 66
%N 2
%P 61-66
%X BACKGROUND: Repatriation represents a serious outcome of illness or injury among seafarers at sea. The aim of this study was to describe repatriation patterns due to injury and illness in a seafarer cohort, and determine risk factors for repatriation. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study analysed a telemedicine database of 3,921 seafarer injury and illness cases over a 4 year period using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 61 repatriations over the study period (1.6% of cases). Most repatriations were due to illness (38; 62.3%) as opposed to injury (23; 37.7%). Back injuries and gastrointestinal illness were the most frequent causes of repatriations. Using logistic regression, nationality was identified as a significant risk factor for repatriation. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes illness as a major cause of seafarer repatriation, and suggests opportunities for future studies to identify potentially modifiable risk factors.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Via Medica
%@ 1641-9251
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.5603/IMH.2015.0016