RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence and risk factors of tinea pedis in Georgian Defense Forces
JF BMJ Military Health
JO BMJ Mil Health
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 433
OP 436
DO 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001397
VO 167
IS 6
A1 Nana Kintsurashvili
A1 O Kvlividze
A1 G Galdava
YR 2021
UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/167/6/433.abstract
AB Introduction Tinea pedis is a widely spread infection among military personnel. The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of tinea pedis and its associated risk factors in Georgian Defense Forces.Methods A cross-sectional study including interviews and clinical and laboratory examination was performed among randomly selected Georgian soldiers and civilians, after getting the signed consent form from them. In the selected population with clinical evidence of tinea pedis, scrapings were taken for direct microscopic examination. Statistical Package for Social Sciences V.22.0 was used for ststistical analysis.Results Out of 729 soldiers, tinea pedis was clinically observed in 46.64% (n=340) and laboratory-confirmed in 25.24% (n=184) of cases, while out of 279 civilians, tinea pedis was found in 21.86% (n=61) and approved in 13.98%(n=39). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tinea pedis is correlated with the age and military ranks but is not associated with the length of military service. Using a communal shower (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) and having tinea pedis before military service (OR=3.27, 95% CI 1.79 to 5.96) increase the chances of tinea pedis development, though using two or more pairs of the military boots interchangeably decreases the spread of disease (OR=0.21, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29).Conclusions According to our research analysis, the prevalence of tinea pedis among Georgian militaries is significantly higher than that in the civilians. It is necessary to develop a large-scale strategy and to implement appropriate preventive measures to minimise the discomfort caused by this disease.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Nana.kintsurashvili756@med.tsu.edu.gewww.gadv.ge, www.ncdv.ge.