Full article (PDF), UKR
Introduction. Regional disparities are characteristic of any society, but systemic military crises can significantly increase socio-economic instability. This leads to profound societal transformations and, in some cases, dangerous imbalances in regional development and living standards. The demographic situation plays a key role in regional disparities, with Ukraine experiencing a gradual aging of the population and shifting sex-age distributions. The health of the population is influenced not only by lifestyle and environmental conditions (accounting for over 70% of health determinants) but also by factors such as working conditions and stressors related to ongoing conflict in Ukraine, including air raids and shelling
The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between stress load parameters and hazardous working conditions in regions of Ukraine characterized by different medical and demographic profiles.
Materials and Methods. The Stress Load Index of the population was determined across different regions, utilizing normalized mortality rates among working-age individuals per 100,000 people. Other factors considered included the severity of working conditions in specific regions, average age of men and women, and stressors related to the ongoing military crisis in Ukraine (e.g., frequency and duration of air raid alarms). Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney), correlation analysis (Spearman), cluster analysis (k-means), and step-by-step discriminant analysis.
Research results and their discussion. Cluster analysis categorized Ukraine into three groups based on stress load and hazardous working conditions among the working population. Subsequent discriminant analysis identified four key indicators for regional classification: average age of men, Stress Load Index, duration of air raid alarms, and severity of working conditions. Peripheral regions, mainly in the southern and western parts of the country, exhibited the lowest stress levels. Central regions showed moderate stress levels, while regions bordering Russia as well as Crimea, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions, exposed to artillery fire or missile attacks, exhibited the highest stress levels based on indicators such as harmful working conditions, air raid frequency and duration, and population demographics.
Conclusions. Cluster analysis revealed distinct regional disparities in stress load and hazardous working conditions across Ukraine. Peripheral regions, primarily in the southern and western parts, exhibited lower stress levels compared to central regions and areas bordering Russia. This geographic variation underscores the complex interplay between demographic factors, stressors related to ongoing conflict, and the severity of working conditions. The study identified key stress load factors, including the Stress Load Index, average age of men, duration of air raid alarms, and severity of working conditions. These factors played a significant role in characterizing stress levels among the working population in different regions. Understanding the regional distribution of stress load and hazardous working conditions is essential for targeted healthcare interventions. By addressing the specific needs of each cluster, more effective strategies to improve the overall health and well-being of the population can be implemented. Efforts to mitigate these challenges require comprehensive strategies that address both healthcare needs and broader socio-economic factors.
Keywords: stress load index, hazardous working conditions, demographic indicators, air raid alarms, martial law.
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