[Study of morbidity among industrial workers based on periodic medical examinations].

The report presents the results of periodical medical examinations in a group of 530 men working in machine-building industrial plant. Average age of men examined was 37.4 +/- 11.4 years. The population examined was exposed to silica dust, noise, vibration, carbon monoxide, benzene irritative gases. Most of them worked in a forced position: standing and stooping. In the population examined 1632 cases of chronic diseases were found and the calculated morbidity rate amounted to 308.0 per 100 workers. Calculating the morbidity rate some not well determined states and symptoms as well as oral cavity, salivary glands and maxillary diseases were excluded. It was found that in the population examined 91.1% of workers developed chronic diseases and only 8.9% could be conventionally considered as healthy subjects. The report presents structure of diseases and their prevalence. A conclusion is drawn that in workers of machine-building industry exposed to many occupational hazards the prevalence of some chronic diseases is higher than in some other industrial branches. It is recommended to adopt age criteria, apart from occupational exposure, as one of principal measures of effectiveness of health care provided by occupational health care units.