open access

Vol 65, No 4 (2014)
Original article
Submitted: 2014-12-17
Accepted: 2014-12-17
Published online: 2014-12-17
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Reasons for medical evacuations of soldiers serving in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan

Krzysztof Korzeniewski, Robert Gregulski
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2014.0040
·
IMH 2014;65(4):210-215.

open access

Vol 65, No 4 (2014)
TROPICAL MILITARY MEDICINE Original articles
Submitted: 2014-12-17
Accepted: 2014-12-17
Published online: 2014-12-17

Abstract

Background: The article presents the results of a research study into the reasons for medical evacuations of Polish military personnel taking part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013.

Materials and methods: The authors have analysed medical records of 485 soldiers who were medically evacuated out of a combat zone in Afghanistan for battle injuries, non-battle injuries and diseases. Each medically evacuated Polish soldier was subjected to statistical analysis. The study population comprised 25,974 soldiers assigned to the Polish Military Contingent Afghanistan in the given period.

Results: From 2007 to 2013, 1.9% of the Polish military personnel (n = 485) participating in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan were evacuated for medical reasons before the scheduled termination of their contract. 40.6% of all medical evacuations were due to battle injuries, 32.4% due to non-battle injuries, and 27.0% due to diseases.

Conclusions: ISAF is an example of a combat operation, in which battle injuries remain the leading health problem in mission participants. 3 of 4 Polish soldiers who were medically evacuated from Afghanistan were no longer fit for military service in the area of operations due to the traumas they had suffered.

Abstract

Background: The article presents the results of a research study into the reasons for medical evacuations of Polish military personnel taking part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013.

Materials and methods: The authors have analysed medical records of 485 soldiers who were medically evacuated out of a combat zone in Afghanistan for battle injuries, non-battle injuries and diseases. Each medically evacuated Polish soldier was subjected to statistical analysis. The study population comprised 25,974 soldiers assigned to the Polish Military Contingent Afghanistan in the given period.

Results: From 2007 to 2013, 1.9% of the Polish military personnel (n = 485) participating in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan were evacuated for medical reasons before the scheduled termination of their contract. 40.6% of all medical evacuations were due to battle injuries, 32.4% due to non-battle injuries, and 27.0% due to diseases.

Conclusions: ISAF is an example of a combat operation, in which battle injuries remain the leading health problem in mission participants. 3 of 4 Polish soldiers who were medically evacuated from Afghanistan were no longer fit for military service in the area of operations due to the traumas they had suffered.

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Keywords

medical evacuations, Afghanistan, soldiers

About this article
Title

Reasons for medical evacuations of soldiers serving in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 65, No 4 (2014)

Article type

Original article

Pages

210-215

Published online

2014-12-17

Page views

1210

Article views/downloads

2014

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2014.0040

Bibliographic record

IMH 2014;65(4):210-215.

Keywords

medical evacuations
Afghanistan
soldiers

Authors

Krzysztof Korzeniewski
Robert Gregulski

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