Digitizing paper-based military health records from Norwegian males born in 1950 - Assessments of data quality and applicability in research.

Abstract

Aim: Archived military documents contain health information that can enrich the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Registry (NAFHR). However, uncertainty exists about the preservation of the documents for digital reproduction and the accuracy of clinical measurements for research purposes. This study aims to present and assess the quality of military health data extracted from the paper-based personnel files of Norwegian men born in 1950.

Methods: We digitized the military health information of approximately 60% (n=17,324) of the Norwegian men who were born in 1950. Health records were manually transcribed, and some of the transcribed data were checked for errors by using similar registrations in the NAFHR. Clinical measures were compared with results from national health surveys. Variations between the conscription board health examinations and the examinations on the first day of service were explored. Transcribed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor data were tested with logistic regression models to assess their predictive ability.

Results: The transcribed data showed good compliance and readability, with overall accurate and valid clinical measurements. While minor variations existed between the data recorded on conscription board examinations and medical examinations on the first service day, the measurements generally aligned with the national health survey results. Several of the CVD risk factors showed the expected associations with CVD mortality.

Conclusions: This study highlights the readability and accuracy of digitized military health data. Further digitization promises enhanced communication and expanded research opportunities.