Authors: Nielsen, Peter E.¹; Murphy, Christopher S.²; Schulz, Jodi³; Deering, Shad H.¹; Truong, Vu⁴; McCartin, Tamarin⁵; Clemons, Jeffrey L.¹

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 174, Number 11, November 2009 , pp. 1172-1176(5)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

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 predeployment 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.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons, Tacoma, WA 98431. 2: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, 126 Missouri Ave., Fort Leonard Wood, MO 36100. 3: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Lea Medical Center, 404 W. Fountain St., Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea, MN 56007. 4: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Womack Army Medical Center, Bldg 2817, Rm. A10199-1, Fort Bragg, NC 28310. 5: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, US Army Health Clinic Vicenza, 167 Viale G. Trissino, Apt. 12, Vicenza, 36100, Italy.

Publication date: 2009-11-01

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• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
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