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- Title
Female Soldiers' Gynecologic Healthcare in Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Survey of Camps With Echelon Three Facilities.
- Authors
Nielsen, Peter E.; Murphy, Christopher S.; Schulz, Jodi; Deering, Shad H.; Truong, Vu; McCartin, Tamarin; Clemons, Jeffrey L.
- Abstract
Objective: To describe female soldiers' predeployment gynecologic healthcare screening, common symptoms, and availability of gynecologic care during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Methods: A questionnaire distributed to U.S. military females presenting to outpatient facilities in level 3 echelon of care between August 2005 and March 2006. Results: Three-hundred ninety seven of 401 surveys (99%) were returned. Ten percent of deployed females (40) had no cervical cytology screening 1 year before deployment and 27% of the 399 required additional treatments for abnormal cervical cytology during deployment. Thirty-five percent reported a gynecologic problem and 44% received care at their base. Irregular bleeding was the most common gynecologic problem. Forty-four percent of women used some form of hormonal contraception; however, 43% changed methods because of unavailability. One-third of soldiers received pre-deployment menses regulation counseling, with 48% of those using continuous oral contraceptive pills for cycle control. Conclusion: Gaps remain in predeployment gynecologic screening and counseling. These critical predeployment medical evaluations must remain a priority for all female soldiers to ensure unit readiness.
- Subjects
UNITED States; IRAQ; WOMEN military personnel; GYNECOLOGY; GYNECOLOGIC examination; DEPLOYMENT (Military strategy); MILITARY camps; IRAQ War, 2003-2011; MEDICAL care
- Publication
Military Medicine, 2009, Vol 174, Issue 11, p1172
- ISSN
0026-4075
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.7205/MILMED-D-04-2608