Work

Health effects associated with geographical area of residence during the 1991 Gulf War: a comparative health study of Iraqi soldiers and civilians.

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: CONTEXT: Although Iraqis sustained the gravest exposure conditions during the 1991 Gulf War (GW), little is known about the possible relationship between environmental exposures during the GW and long-term health in Iraqis. OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between distance from Kuwait during the GW and somatic health among Iraqi Soldiers vs civilians. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 742 GW veterans and 413 civilians in Iraq. The odds ratios were calculated for somatic disorders as a function of distance from Kuwait during the GW, as well as a self-reported environmental exposure index. RESULTS: Soldiers reported a significantly higher prevalence of somatic disorders as compared to civilians. Soldiers closest to Kuwait reported significantly more somatic disorders as compared to Soldiers deployed further away from Kuwait. CONCLUSION: Iraqi GW veterans are at an increased risk of numerous somatic disorders. Soldiers are at an increased risk compared to civilians, suggesting that war-associated exposures are of etiologic relevance.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Hikmet Jamil, Thamer A Hamdan, Mary Grzybowski, Bengt B Arnetz

Institution: Wayne State University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health

Award: Mental health in Iraqi refugees: Importance of post-displacement social stressors