Nonbattle injury among deployed troops: An epidemiologic study

Abstract

(n = 150) Nonbattle injury (NBI) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity among troops currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. To assess NBI incidence, impact, and risk factors, a survey was given to soldiers during mid-or postdeployment from Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding region, from January 2005 through May 2006. Among 3,367 troops completing a survey, 19.5% reported at least one NBI, and 85% sought care at least once for their symptoms. Service component, rank, and unit type were among factors associated with differential NBI risk. Twenty percent stated that NBI resulted in back-up personnel being called or shift change to cover impacted duties, and among those reported having been grounded from flight status, a third were the result of NBI. NBI continues to be a problem in recent deployments, and given the findings on individual and potential operational impact indicators, NBI should be viewed as a primary force health protection problem.