Availability, Accessibility, and Adequacy of Health Care Provided to USAF Active Duty Women in Theater During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Abstract
Using data from the Department of Defense Desert Storm File, a stratified random sample of 186 USAF female Operation Desert Shield/Storm (ODS/S) veterans were interviewed by telephone. Participants were surveyed regarding self-reported medical problems and health care experienced while deployed to ODS/S. Results based on analysis of 186 surveys show generally high overall ratings for availability, accessibility, and adequacy of the health care received during deployment, while identifying numerous opportunities for improvement. In particular, mental health problems were frequent (20%) and women reported problems with access to care and reluctance to seek care for these problems. Gastrointestinal illnesses during ODS/S were the most prevalent (affecting 33%) and orthopedic injuries the most likely to lead to a provider visit (in 90% of cases). Using a definition of declining health status and physical fitness as a change from 'excellent,' 'very good,' or 'good' before deployment to 'poor' or 'fair' afterward, the percentages of women reporting declining health status and physical fitness level were 15.9% and 8.5%, respectively. Data show a 12% relative increase in prevalence of cigarette smoking from pre- to during deployment. Further investigation is needed to examine possible risk factors associated with declines in health status and physical fitness level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA303182
Entities
People
- Anthony S. Robbins
- Howard Mitzel
- James Neff
- John R. Herbold
- Sharon Cooper
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory