Musculoskeletal Injuries at the Chinese Peacekeeping Level II Hospital in Wau, South Sudan, 2018-2022

Abstract

Introduction Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are common among U.N. military personnel and cause a substantial toll, but little is known about the actual risks and changes of MSIs. The Chinese level II hospital (CHN L2H) was the highest-level hospital in the Western Sector of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). This study reviewed and analyzed the MSIs managed by the CHN L2H in UNMISS. Methods Medical records of MSIs in CHN L2H from September 2018 to July 2022 were identified. We analyzed all the MSIs and treatment procedures. Results A total of 857 patients from more than 40 countries were included (86.8% men, average age of 37.83 years), consisting of 457 troop-contributing country, 231 U.N. local, and 169 U.N. international personnel. The most common injury was lumbar muscle strain (14.2%). Sports-related mechanism (29.2%) was the most frequent cause of MSIs. The most significant proportions of anatomical regions were the lumbar spine (22.52%), hand (13.77%), and foot (10.97%). No-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (43.99%), physical therapy (20.54%), and immobilization (11.32%) were the most used treatments. Conclusions MSIs are common diseases in the CHN L2H in the Western Sector of UNMISS. The universality and complexity of MSIs demonstrate the urgent need to improve prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.