CONTEXT Afghanistan is one of the countries most affected by injuries due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. OBJECTIVE To understand the epidemiological patterns and risk factors for injury due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. DESIGN AND SETTING Analysis of surveillance data on landmine and unexploded ordnance injuries in Afghanistan collected by the International Committee of the R...

We reviewed the surveillance database on injuries due to unexploded ordnance and landmines maintained by the United Nations Mine Action Center for Afghanistan. About 70% of records in the database came from the clinic based surveillance system operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which, in 2002, included 390 health facilities. Other data were collected through mine clearanc...

The accurate discrimination of unexploded ordnance from geophysical signals is very difficult. Research has demonstrated that using a machine learning technique known as linear genetic programming in concert with human expertise can extend the accuracy of unexploded ordnance discrimination past currently published results. This paper describes how linear genetic programming offers the promise o...

INTRODUCTION Due to several decades of armed conflict and civil unrest, Afghanistan is one of the countries most affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance worldwide. OBJECTIVE The study was performed to assess the magnitude of injuries due to landmines and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan during 2002-2006 and to describe epidemiological patterns and potential risk factors for these even...

INTRODUCTION Due to more than a decade of armed conflict and civil unrest, Chechnya is among the regions most affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance worldwide. HYPOTHESIS The study was performed to assess the magnitude of injuries and deaths due to landmines and unexploded ordnance in Chechnya between 1994 and 2005 and to describe epidemiologic patterns and risk factors for these event...

ii

An explosive ordnance is a munition that is either launched or fired with the intent of detonation at a specified target. An unexploded ordnance (UXO) is an explosive ordnance that, due to some malfunction, remains undetonated. As a result, the ordnance can be found at the ground surface, partially buried, or buried at a depth of up to 8 m beneath the surface. Practical and cost-effective strat...