Health Surveillance among Dutch Military Personnel during the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia

摘要

Dutch troops participated in the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia from December 2000 until June 2001. All personnel (1089) received information on health risks, with emphasis on anti-mosquito personal protective measures. Malaria chemoprophylaxis comprised weekly mefloquine or daily doxycycline. Immunisations included meningitis A+C and yellow fever. When necessary boosters for diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP), hepatitis A +B and typhoid were administered. During deployment the health surveillance showed a mean non-availability of 0.41 %. The mean consultation incidence was 18.6 per 1000 men days. The main diagnostic groups included: orthopaedics AND injuries (24.9 %), dermatology (22.3 %) and miscellaneous (20.6 %). Two cases of p.f. malaria were diagnosed; 1 year after return 5 cases of plasmodium vivax malaria had shown up. In a post deployment questionnaire 76.6 % indicated consistent use of malaria chemoprophylaxis, 15.4 % inconsistent use, while 2.8 % never used at all. The use of bed nets scored: 31.6 % always, 42.8% irregular and 25.8 % never. About 30 % of the bed nets and 10 % of the uniforms proved to be impregnated. Consistent use of DEET was reported by 1.5 %, inconsistent use by 36.9 % and no use 61.6 %. Overall the non-availability remained very low but compliance to personal protective measures needs continuous attention.