title: Rates of gonorrhea and Chlamydia in U.S. military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (2004-2009).
abstract: The increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections has historically been associated with military personnel at war. The incidence of gonorrhea and Chlamydia in personnel deployed in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has not been reported. An electronic records' review of testing done from January 2004 to September 2009 revealed higher rates of Chlamydia than gonorrhea, especially among females who deploy to Iraq. Additionally, increasing Chlamydia rates were noted over the study. Overall, the rates of gonorrhea and Chlamydia were the same or lower than age- and year-matched U.S. rates reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Ongoing education with emphasis on prevention and treatment are needed, as are development of specific projects to define the risk factors and timing of acquisition of sexually transmitted infections in combat zones.
authors.affiliation: San Antonio Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Wade K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Aldous
authors.forename: Janelle L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: Duane R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hospenthal
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Conger
authors.forename: Clinton K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult