Predicting self-reported exposure to nerve agents by reserve component personnel during the first Persian Gulf War.
Approximately 13% of 654 Reserve Component Gulf War veterans (18% women, 65% ground forces, between 24 and 61 years of age, average 40.2 yr.) surveyed in the Ohio Desert Storm Research Project reported that they had probably been exposed to nerve or mustard gas agents, while another 32% thought such exposures were possible. Reports of exposure were found, through ordinary least squares regression analysis, to be associated with membership in ground forces (Army/Marine Corps) (b = .29), geographical location (b = .17), ethnic minority status (b = .07), education (b = -.10), intrinsic religiosity (b = .10), and also reporting having had physiological reactions to vaccines or pyridostigmine bromide pills (b = .24). Reports were not associated significantly with subjective health before the war, age, or sex.
Schumm
Walter R
WR
School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Justin 343K, 1700 Anderson Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506-1403, USA. Schumm@humec.ksu.edu
Webb
Farrell J
FJ
Bollman
Stephan R
SR
Jurich
Anthony P
AP
Reppert
Earl J
EJ
Castelo
Carlos S
CS
Stever
James A
JA
D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019156:Indian Ocean; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014857:Warfare
D015386:Hazardous Substances