Nonbattle injury among deployed troops: an epidemiologic study.
(n = 150) Nonbattle injury (NBI) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity among troops currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. To assess NBI incidence, impact, and risk factors, a survey was given to soldiers during mid- or postdeployment from Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding region, from January 2005 through May 2006. Among 3,367 troops completing a survey, 19.5% reported at least one NBI, and 85% sought care at least once for their symptoms. Service component, rank, and unit type were among factors associated with differential NBI risk. Twenty percent stated that NBI resulted in back-up personnel being called or shift change to cover impacted duties, and among those reported having been grounded from flight status, a third were the result of NBI. NBI continues to be a problem in recent deployments, and given the findings on individual and potential operational impact indicators, NBI should be viewed as a primary force health protection problem.
Skeehan
Christopher D
CD
New York Medical College, 40 Sunshine Cottage Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
Tribble
David R
DR
Sanders
John W
JW
Putnam
Shannon D
SD
Armstrong
Adam W
AW
Riddle
Mark S
MS
D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology