Military medicine
-
The high frequency and number of ankle inversion injuries and meniscal injuries in military populations is an area of concern due to the debilitating effects and cumulative consequences of these particular injuries on the soldiers sustaining injury and the consequences on the operational effectiveness of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). This study examines the possible relationship between ankle inversion injury and potential for subsequent meniscal injury in infantry soldiers in the IDF. ⋯ The results of this study indicate ankle sprains to be a protective factor for meniscal injury. Our main conclusion from the results of this study is that the assumption that those with previous leg injuries are at a greater risk for further leg injuries is questionable and cannot be generalized. Hence, the association between different types of injuries should be investigated separately.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
When, How, & Where Tobacco Initiation and Relapse Occur During U.S. Air Force Technical Training.
Military personnel are at high risk for tobacco use, particularly during the first year of military service. Technical Training follows an 8½ week tobacco ban during basic military training and is a vulnerable time for personnel to both reinitiate and initiate tobacco use. Thus, this can be a crucial time to promote tobacco policies and interventions. However, there is limited research examining when, how, and where personnel access tobacco during the first year of service, particularly among users of newer products (eg, electronic cigarettes[e-cigarettes]). Thus, the purpose of the current study is to explore the timing, source, and location of tobacco use during Technical Training across all types of products. Furthermore, this study will examine differences in demographic characteristics and prior tobacco history in relationship to these tobacco behaviors. ⋯ Tobacco use behaviors during Technical Training differed depending on the type of product. Specifically, new and emerging products were more likely to be bought off base and first used at a specialty store. Thus, military polices regulating on base tobacco pricing might not reduce the growing prevalence of e-cigarettes. Future policies might consider addressing the density of off-base tobacco retailers to reduce the high rates of tobacco use in this population.
-
The combined use of new types of weapons and new types of personal protective equipment has led to changes in the occurrence, nature, and severity of penetrating brain wounds. The availability of modern equipment, methods of treatment, and trained medical personnel in a civilian hospital, as well as advanced specialty medical care, has improved treatment outcomes. There have been a limited number of publications regarding analysis and predictors of treatment outcomes in patients with combat-related penetrating brain injury in contemporary armed conflicts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of patients with penetrating brain injury and to identify significant outcome predictors in these patients. ⋯ Generally, combat-related penetrating brain injuries had satisfactory treatment outcomes. Treatment outcomes in this study were comparable to those previously reported by other authors in military populations and significantly better than outcomes of peacetime penetrating brain injury treatment.
-
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The Center for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recognized the potential benefits of immunizing young men beginning at age 11 or 12 years and continuing through age 21 years. The maximum age of immunization is extended through age 26 for men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and immunocompromised men. In spite of these recommendations, vaccination of young men is currently limited by numerous patient and provider variables. The authors sought to delineate these variables as they pertain to members of the U.S. Air Force in order to guide future interventions. ⋯ Deficiencies in public knowledge and insufficient provider practices are likely contributing to the suboptimal rates of HPV vaccination among eligible males. Additionally, eligible males are not interested in speaking with their healthcare providers about either HPV or the HPV vaccine. If the rates of HPV vaccination within the male population are to increase, health educators, public health proponents, and vaccine advocates need to devise a more effective approach to disseminate this information to eligible male recipients.
-
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women, accounting for more fatalities than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Smoking causes about 85% of all lung cancers in the United States and is the single greatest risk factor. In 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published initial guidelines for low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening (LCS) among patients 55-80 years old, with a 30-pack-year history, who are current smokers or who quit within the previous 15 years. Smoking prevalence is higher among military personnel compared to the civilian population, demonstrating a need for vigilant screening. ⋯ These preliminary results demonstrate the success of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF)-based LCS Program in the detection of early stage lung cancer. Earlier stage detection may result in better health outcomes for affected patients. In the population studied, duration of smoking proved to be more significant than pack-years in predicting lung cancer risk. These results validate the newly dedicated resources and continued efforts to strengthen the LCS program at NMCSD and across MTFs.