Genitourinary infections in Australian servicewomen

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Military Medicine
• Genitourinary Health

Background:

• Genitourinary infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vulvovaginal conditions, affect approximately one-third of women.
• The increasing presence of women in the military highlights the need to understand their specific genitourinary health risks.
• Supporting servicewomen's occupational health, safety, and performance requires attention to their genitourinary well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of genitourinary infections among active-duty servicewomen in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
• To identify risk factors, prevention methods, and management strategies for genitourinary infections in this population.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional survey was employed to gather data on the pelvic health of servicewomen.
• Data specifically related to genitourinary infections were extracted and descriptively analyzed.
• Prevalence rates were estimated, and associated risk factors and management strategies were described.

Main Results:

• Out of 491 respondents, 41% reported at least one UTI, and 32% experienced regular vulvovaginal irritation symptoms.
• No substantial association was found between service arm, length of service, or deployment history and infection prevalence.
• Medical assessment and antibiotic treatment were the most common approaches for UTI diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

• Genitourinary infections are prevalent among female ADF personnel and can negatively impact occupational health and performance.
• Implementing organization-wide prevention and management strategies can mitigate the effects on personnel and mission objectives.
• Reducing lost workdays and healthcare utilization through effective genitourinary health programs is essential for military readiness.