CHANGING TRENDS OF LEPROSY IN ARMED FORCES.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Arora PN
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5529772 | biostudies-other | 1994 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
Similar Datasets
Project description:Background:Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have historically been problematic for militaries. Recent reports indicating that rates of STIs among young male Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are higher than civilians prompted a need to better understand CAF members' reported rates of STIs and their behavioural risk factors for STIs. This study examined the prevalence of self-reported pre-military sexual behaviours (i.e. number of sexual partners and frequency of condom use) and history of a STI diagnosis among CAF recruits attending basic military training using data collected from the Recruit Health Questionnaire. Methods:Data came from 50,603 recruits who participated in the survey between 2003 and 2018 (84.9% male, 78.6% Non-Commissioned Member candidates, 64.9% aged between 17 and 24 years). Results:Among sexually active recruits, the proportions who had more than one sexual partner in the previous year increased from 30.5% in 2003 (95% CI, 27.8-33.4) to 35.5% in 2018 (95% CI, 34.0-37.0). Of recruits who were not in an exclusive relationship at the time, the proportions who reported always using a condom decreased from 50.8% in 2003 (95% CI, 46.4-55.1) to 40.2% in 2018 (95% CI, 38.3-42.2). Overall, 5.5% (95% CI, 5.3-5.7) reported ever having received a STI diagnosis. Demographic differences by age and sex were also found. Conclusion:These observations provide an indication of the baseline, pre-enlistment STI risk behaviours, and STI history among CAF recruits, and may provide insight into avenues for targeted interventions and health promotion programming, such as education and screening initiatives.
| S-EPMC7556204 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Iodine deficiency is the most commonly implicated nutritional factor responsible for preventable mental deficiency in India and the world. The Government of India aims to control this through the supply of Iodised salt as the primary intervention strategy. Monitoring of the salt supplied, therefore becomes essential to ensure quality control. This study undertaken to assess the status of Iodised salt in the Armed Forces in the Pune-Kirkee complex found a great variation in the iodine content ranging from 10.6 ppm to 150.1 ppm. High levels of Iodine are potentially harmful. This calls for stringent quality assurance and monitoring as a cost effective long term measure in the Armed Forces.
| S-EPMC5531857 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundFew studies have examined suicide risk in individuals once they have left the military. We aimed to investigate the rate, timing, and risk factors for suicide in all those who had left the UK Armed Forces (1996-2005).Methods and findingsWe carried out a cohort study of ex-Armed Forces personnel by linking national databases of discharged personnel and suicide deaths (which included deaths receiving either a suicide or undetermined verdict). Comparisons were made with both general and serving populations. During the study period 233,803 individuals left the Armed Forces and 224 died by suicide. Although the overall rate of suicide was not greater than that in the general population, the risk of suicide in men aged 24 y and younger who had left the Armed Forces was approximately two to three times higher than the risk for the same age groups in the general and serving populations (age-specific rate ratios ranging from 170 to 290). The risk of suicide for men aged 30-49 y was lower than that in the general population. The risk was persistent but may have been at its highest in the first 2 y following discharge. The risk of suicide was greatest in males, those who had served in the Army, those with a short length of service, and those of lower rank. The rate of contact with specialist mental health was lowest in the age groups at greatest risk of suicide (14% for those aged under 20 y, 20% for those aged 20-24 y).ConclusionsYoung men who leave the UK Armed Forces were at increased risk of suicide. This may reflect preservice vulnerabilities rather than factors related to service experiences or discharge. Preventive strategies might include practical and psychological preparation for discharge and encouraging appropriate help-seeking behaviour once individuals have left the services.
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Project description:Pattern of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in 1027 male patients admitted during 1990 to 1996 were analysed. Majority of cases (86%) were in age group of 20 to 40 years. Out of total 1027 STD cases 334 (32%) were having chancroid, 237 (23%) syphilis, 122 (11.9%) lymphogranuloma venereum, 130 (12.6%) gonorrhoea, 34 (3.3%) Herpes genitalis and 170 (16.5%) other STDs. 167 STD cases (163%) were found to have HIV infection. A rising trend in prevalence of HIV infection in STD patients from 2.8% (1990) to 27.8 (1996) was noticed contrary to declining trend of STDs from 213 cases in 1990 to 79 cases in 1996. The prevalence of HIV infection was 303% in LGV, 19.3% in chancroid, 13.5% in syphilis, 17.6% in herpes genitalis, 6.7% in gonorrhoea and 11.2% in other STD cases. Out of total 167 STD cases having HIV infection 65 (40%) cases were of chancroid, 37 (22.2%) of LGV, 32(19.2%) of syphilis, 8 (4.8) of gonorrhoea, and 6(3.6%) of herpes genitalis while 17 (10.2) cases were having other STDs.
| S-EPMC5531938 | biostudies-other
Project description:Fifty five Armed Forces personnel detected to be seropositives for human immunodeficiency virus were the subjects of the study. After baseline clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations and Centre for Disease Control classification, through a semistructured interview, their sexual orientation, behaviour and psychiatric morbidity were assessed. Sixtynine percent had another sexually transmitted disease as comorbidity. Heterosexual contact was responsible for the infection in 54 out of 55 subjects. Seven patients were freshly diagnosed to have psychiatric illness.
| S-EPMC5529762 | biostudies-other
Project description:A total of 8123 Armed Forces personnel attended dermatological OPD from Jan 1989 to Dec 1994. On analysing the record it is found that 2953 (36.3%) cases had infective dermatosis and 5170 (63.7%) cases had non-infective dermatosis. Common infective dermatosis included fungal infections (17.2%), viral infections (7.7%), bacterial infections (3.6%) and arthropode infestations (7.8%). Common non-infective dermatosis included papulosquamous disorders (13.5%), pigmentary disorders (13.4%), eczemas (11.1%), acne (8.7%), alopecia (6.1%), urticaria (4.2%) and drug eruptions (1.9%).
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Project description:A prospective study of 120 patients of acute renal failure was done at CH (EC) Calcutta to document the changing trends in the incidence and etiology of acute renal failure and to assess the prognostic factors. Mean age of patients was 33.7 ± 20.2 years. 75% had a medical risk factor. The etiological factors were volume depletion (13.3%), septicaemia (25.6%), falciparum malaria (16.6%), a transplant related renal failure (5.7%) and drugs (16.7%). Renal histology showed acute tubular necrosis to be the most common lesion (53.3%). In 13.3% patients who died with acute renal failure, associated infection and multisystem involvement was more common.
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Project description:Three hundred and one underfive children belonging to Armed Forces families were studied for their anthropometric and haemoglobin status. Their weights, MUAC and haemoglobin were superior as compared with the children in the general civil population as reported in various studies. 82.39% had weights above 80% of Harvard median. Chest circumference and head circumference crossing took place between 12-23 months. 69.56% had MUAC within normal limits and 59.81% had haemoglobin levels of 11 gm/dl or more. The healthier nutritional status of the underfives in the Armed Forces population is attributable to a healthier environment and an easy access to comprehensive health care facilities made available to them. It can be further improved by augmenting and modernising the MCH services with a view to provide quality care.
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Project description:A large number of microfilaria (MF) positive cases were reported at a Military Hospital in 1994. The epidemiological investigations included mass night blood survey, detection of sector breeding places and entomological studies. Control measures were instituted concurrently and this included treatment of positive cases, sector control measures, personal protection and health education. The mass blood survey was continued in 1995 as well to find the outcome of control measures. A total of 215 MF positive cases were detected in 1994 with MF rate of 9.63. The only MF species identified was Wuchereria bancrofti. 203% cases were in the station for less than six months. 71.3% of MF positive cases were asymptomatic. As per state health authorities, Culex quinquefasciatus was the known vector for spread of the disease in the region. However, in present study, it could not be implicated as dissection of over 200 mosquitoes of this species was negative for filarial parasite. Our study stresses the importance of close monitoring of the disease by night blood surveys and effective integrated vector control measures.
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Project description:Military personnel who have seen active service can be affected by their experiences. Much of the literature on the mental and physical health battles faced by men and women who leave the Armed Forces is dominated by research in the United States (US) (1), and is particularly focused on exposure to deployment, combat conditions, and effects on mental health. Research in the United Kingdom (UK) tends to focus on depression or alcohol misuse and the impact these issues have on currently serving personnel. This study aimed to present UK veterans' first-hand experiences related to military service, access to and use of mental healthcare and interventions, and the impact of transition on the military family. Semi-structured interviews explored experiences of 30 participants (27 male, 3 female). Participants ranged in age from 26 to 92 years (M = 53.33), and across multiple war cohorts (from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan). Data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis and Narrative Analysis. Findings show meaning-making from experiences of transition across veteran cohorts. Main themes were reasons for leaving Armed Forces, life outside the military, and mental health concerns after service. Subordinate themes additionally focused on evaluation of identity and mental health service provision. Future clinical research should include the experiences of UK serving personnel and the effects of pre-and post-military adversity, alongside the impact of deployment experiences. Interventions designed to address transition into life after service are discussed.
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