Аssessment of vitamin and mineral deficiency risk among contract servicemen while carrying out offshore operations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency of the body among contract servicemen while carrying out offshore operations in the temperate latitudes of the Far East.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency among servicemen (n=27) were detected twice with the use of computer program Vita-test: before going to sea and in 2 months (return). There was the analysis of nutrient content in the sea rations №3. Before going to sea meals were provided at home. Statistics: After defining the test of raw data normality, significance of differences in dependent parametric samples was carried out by Student’s test, using computer program Statistica-6.1.RESULTS: An imbalanced diet led to increase in signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency. By criteria the risk of deficiency signs (initial and after return): on vitamins — average with the growth of 40,3% (р=0,0002), on minerals — low (3 points) and average (5,24 points, р=0,05).DISCUSSION: Vitamin diet correction is updated on sea trips. The present study has proven that as well as necessity to correct mineral deficiency. It showed the possibility of assessing the risk of micronutrient deficiency, using the technology of questionnaire and computer analysis.CONCLUSION: The approach of dynamic monitoring allowed to evaluate the index of studied nutrients, the risk of deficiency while carrying out offshore operations. This method allows to estimate individual and group dynamics of vitamin and mineral balance of a body while working at sea to make decisions on the prevention of nutrient deficiency.