Reasons for medical evacuation of soldiers serving in Iraqi Freedom Operation.

BACKGROUND This article presents the results of the authors' own studies concerning the evacuation of Polish soldiers serving in the Centre South Zone in Iraq during the Iraqi Freedom Operation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis was based on the medical and personnel documents of 4800 soldiers of the Multinational Division Centre South in the period August 2003-July 2004. RESULTS Medical evacuations and rotations at the soldier's own request dominated in the analysed period in the group. The main reasons for medical evacuation (67 persons) were psychiatric disorders (acute stress disorder) requiring pharmacological treatment, followed by battle injuries (gunshot/shrapnel wounds), and non-battle injuries (sports injuries, traffic accidents). Evacuations at the soldier's own request (47 persons) were dominated by non-medical adaptation disorders and family-related problems. CONCLUSIONS Polish soldiers evacuated to their home country before the scheduled termination of duty accounted for 2.5% of the total number of military personnel assigned to Iraq in the analysed period.