Vaginal yeast infections while deployed in Southwest/Central Asia, active component females, U.S. Armed Forces, 2008-2013

MSMR. 2014 Aug;21(8):13-5.

Abstract

In field settings, female service members may not have adequate access to bathrooms, showers, laundry, or sanitary products necessary to maintain adequate feminine hygiene; therefore, service women may be at risk for vaginal yeast infections while deployed. During the 6-year surveillance period, nearly 3,000 U.S. military service women were diagnosed with at least one clinically significant yeast infection while supporting combat operations in Southwest/Central Asia. The crude overall incidence rate was 35.1 per 1,000 person-years (p-yrs). Overall incidence rates were higher among black, non-Hispanic service women, and among those in the Army and Air Force, in enlisted grades, and in communications/intelligence and motor transport occupations. The yearly rate of yeast infections was relatively stable from 2008 through 2010, then decreased in 2011 through 2013. Prior to deploying to austere operational settings, female service members should be provided practical and useful information, realistic training, and material support to decrease the risk of acquiring and increase the effectiveness of treating clinically and military operationally significant yeast infections.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candida / isolation & purification*
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal* / diagnosis
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal* / epidemiology
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal* / etiology
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal* / physiopathology
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Hygiene / methods
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents