| Abstract |
The purpose of this research is to make it possible for military women to perform safe, accurate self-care for common gynecologic problems in austere military environments where such problems are most likely to occur, yet least likely to be adequately diagnosed and managed. The burning, itching, vaginal discharge, polyuria, and dysuria that result from gynecological and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are miserable and distracting for women in any environment. These symptoms may especially diminish military women's duty performance under austere conditions where resources for hygiene, self-care and treatment, and professional health care are inadequate. In fact, vaginal discharge is one of the 25 most common reasons that women seek health care in the United States. According to estimates, vaginitis accounts for approximately 3.35 million ambulatory care visits each year, and UTIs an additional 5 million visits. UTIs are one of the most frequent health problems military women experience under field conditions. Approximately 340,000 women serve in the Armed Forces in 80 percent of all occupational areas; thus, at any one time, many women are assigned to austere military environments such as field duty, deployment to a second- or third-world country, combat/combat-support situations, or sea duty. |
