Investigation of Factors Influencing Soldiers' Disabilities in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Due to the frequent occurrence of international military conflicts, there has been an increasing number of soldiers who have suffered injuries and disabilities. The soldiers' disability is a crucial factor influencing combat effectiveness. Objective: This study aims to investigate the current situation of military disability and its influencing factors to provide a basis for reducing the rate of military disability. A total of 430 Chinese military disability assessment materials from 2021 were collected retrospectively between April 2023 and September 2023. The data on injuries, illnesses, and disabilities of soldiers were subjected to statistical analysis with informed consent, and personal information was anonymized to ensure privacy. The occurrence of disability was analyzed based on gender, rank, and different disability systems using unifactor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical differences (P<0.05) were found in the degree of disability among soldiers of different ages, status categories, nature of disabilities, disability systems, and causes of disabilities. Age, status category, nature of disabilities, disability systems, and causes were identified as the main factors affecting the degree of soldiers' disabilities, with a total explanation rate of 58.3%. Injuries to the motor system during training were identified as the primary cause leading to soldier disabilities. In conclusion, this study shows that it is essential to prioritize protection against training injuries to minimize soldier disabilities.