[Evaluate the influence of psychosocial factors on sexuality soldiers participating in the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan].
Sexual health problems of stabilization missions soldiers, contrary to other specific populations, have not been fully studied. However, effects of being in a war zone have been thoroughly investigated. Modern warfare soldier experiences stress related not only to life and health threat but also to separation from loved ones. Anxiety and depression as adaptive disorders, rarer posttraumatic disorder were diagnosed in participants of stabilization missions. These disorders as well as not diagnosed dysfunctions may have impact on sexual health.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the selected psychosocial factors on sexuality of veterans of Polish Military Contingent (PMC) in Afghanistan.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 68 soldiers, participants of stabilization mission in Afghanistan. The following diagnostic tools were used: sexual history related to military service specificity was taken, IIEF questionnaire, Mell-Krat Scale for Men, scale of sexual pathology in men, questionnaire: 'Self-esteem on relationship with a partner'.


RESULTS
According to the investigated individuals, taking part in a military mission did not increase present or trigger new problems in sex life. The examined soldiers were satisfied with their sexual activity, assessed themselves as good lovers and claimed to be perceived so by their partners.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study show that taking part in Polish Military Contingent seems to have had no negative effect on veterans sex life. Majority of the investigated veterans assessed well the relationship with a wife/partner as well as satisfaction from sexual activity and were aware of being well assessed by a wife/partner with reference to sexual activity.
Department of Adults' Psychiatry, Medical University of Lódź, Poland. jerzybrunowski@interia.pl
Jerzy
J
Brunowski
Department of Adults' Psychiatry, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Antoni
A
Florkowski
Department of Adults' Psychiatry, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Katarzyna
K
Denys
Department of Adults' Psychiatry, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Krzysztof
K
Zboralski
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare