Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Tract Diseases Among Soldiers Deployed for Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

Abstract

Respiratory diseases are one of the most common health problems among service personnel assigned to contemporary military operations which are conducted in areas characterized by adverse environmental conditions. This article reviews the results of the studies into the prevalence of acute respiratory tract diseases among soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The article also discusses a number of factors which increase the prevalence of diseases diagnosed in the population of soldiers on a military mission in different climatic and sanitary conditions. Retrospective analysis was based on medical records of Polish troops treated on an outpatient basis in Iraq in 2003-2004 (n = 871) and in Afghanistan in 2003-2005 (n = 400), 2009 (n = 2,300), and 2010 (n = 2,500). The intensity rates were calculated and were then used to calculate the prevalence of diseases per 100 persons in a given population of the military personnel. We found that acute respiratory tract diseases were one of the most common health problems treated in outpatient medical facilities in all four study populations. The incidence rate was 45.6 cases in Iraq in 2003-2004, and in Afghanistan it amounted to 61.8 in 2003-2005, 45.3 in 2009, and 54.8-100 persons in 2010. In conclusion, the prevalence of respiratory diseases was closely related to the environmental factors, such as sand and dust storms, extreme temperature changes, unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, and common disregard of basic principles concerning disease prevention.

The role of Iraqi dust in inducing lung injury in United States soldiers—An interdisciplinary study

“…However, this issue is not limited to U.S. military personnel. A study investigating Polish coalition soldiers also found acute respiratory tract diseases to be prevalent and correlated this finding with environmental factors, such as extreme temperature fluctuations, unsanitary conditions, and sand and dust storms [ Korzeniewski et al , ].…”

Respiratory symptoms among Swedish soldiers after military service abroad: association with time spent in a desert environment

“…[8,15,16] A study from Kuwait showed that sandstorms have a significant impact on respiratory and asthma symptoms and hospital admissions. [17] High rates of respiratory symptoms (14%) as well as new-onset asthma among previously healthy soldiers (6.6%) were seen among soldiers post-deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.…”

Особливості Перебігу Гострих Тонзилітів У військовослужбовців Залежно Від Сезону

“…За даними раніше проведених досліджень, рівень захворюваності на гострий тонзиліт у військовослуж-бовців зростає в періоди, коли він також зростає й се-ред цивільного населення, також набагато частіше дане явище спостерігається в періоди оновлення особового складу внаслідок призову молодого поповнення чи під час ротації підрозділів на тактично важливих ділянках [8][9][10].…”