The enduring well-being impacts of attending the Battle Back Multi Activity Course for the lives of recovering UK armed forces personnel

Organisations including the United Kingdom Armed Forces should seek to implement mental health interventions to increase the psychological well-being of their workforce. This editorial briefly presents ten key principles that military forces should consider before implementing such interventions. These include job-focused training; evaluating interventions; the use of internal versus external training providers; the role of leaders; unit cohesion, single versus multiple session psychological interventions; not overgeneralising the applicability of interventions; the need for repeated skills practice; raising awareness and the fallibility of screening.

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Sex and gender: More than just demographic variables

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health ◽

10.3138/jmvfh-2021-0027 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e20210027

Author(s):

Callaghan Walter

Keyword(s):

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Sex And Gender ◽

Canadian Armed Forces ◽

Starting Point ◽

Gender Based ◽

And Gender ◽

Published Research ◽

Health And Well Being

LAY SUMMARY Taking as a starting point that sex and gender are not the same thing, a principal understanding of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), this article reviews research published in 2020 on the health and well-being of Veterans and currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The purpose of this review was to see how sex and gender were referred to in this published literature. The published research tended not to differentiate between sex and gender, often using the two terms as though they referred to the same thing. Possible reasons for why this has happened are explored, as is the importance of treating sex and gender as fundamentally different things.

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Statement by the Frelimo Executive Committee on the Events in Portugal

Issue A Journal of Opinion ◽

10.1017/s0047160700007162 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 58-59

Keyword(s):

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Cape Verde ◽

National Liberation ◽

Cape Verde Islands ◽

Coup D'etat ◽

Guinea Bissau ◽

National Salvation ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

On 25 April 1974, we learned from radio broadcasts about the coup d'etat in Portugal by the armed forces which resulted in the ousting of the government of Marcelo Caetano and its replacement by a Junta of National Salvation. This movement, according to its promoters, is intended to provide a solution to the present crisis which the Portuguese regime and society are going through after thirteen years of colonial war.The coup d'etat which has just taken place cannot be seen in isolation. It is a result of the new awareness of growing sectors of the Portuguese people that the purpose of the colonial war launched by the fascist regime is to suppress the colonized peoples’ aspiration to independence and freedom and is against the desire for well-being and political and social democracy of the Portuguese people themselves.At this time we hail, in the first place, the Portuguese democratic forces which for many years have been actively and courageously opposing the colonial wars. This growing awareness is closely bound up with the affirmation of the unshakable will of the Mozambjcan people, and of the peoples of Angola, Guinea-Bissau and the Cape Verde islands, to achieve independence and freedom. This will has taken on material form in the armed struggle for national liberation which has been steadily growing and has already reached vital regions of our country. The coincidence between the crisis of the regime in Portugal and the great advances of the national liberation struggle in Mozambique over the past two years is no accident, but additional proof of the impact of our struggle on the situation in Portugal. The determinant factor of the situation in Portugal and the colonies has been and still is the struggle of our peoples. And the fundamental issue upon which the solution of all other problems depends is the independence of the peoples of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea-Bissau and the Cape Verde islands, as well as that of the remaining Portuguese colonies.

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Retrospective cohort study of outpatient mental health visits in children and youth in Canadian military families

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health ◽

10.3138/jmvfh-2021-0071 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alyson L. Mahar ◽

Heidi Cramm ◽

Isabel Garces ◽

Alice B. Aiken ◽

Simon Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Military Families ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Health Services Use ◽

Physician Visits ◽

Outpatient Mental Health ◽

Canadian Armed Forces

LAY SUMMARY This study tried to answer the question “Do children and youth in military families have a greater risk of emotional and behavioural problems than children and youth in the general population?” The authors used routinely collected health data from children and youth in Canadian Armed Forces families who relocated to Ontario, matched to data from children and youth in non-military families. They compared outpatient mental health services use, such as physician visits, and the reasons for those visits, such as depression. They found that children and youth in military families were more likely to visit a physician for specific mental health diagnoses than children and youth in the general population. More programming and resources supporting the mental health and well-being of children and youth in military families may be needed.

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Reflex syncope in the UK Armed Forces

BMJ Military Health ◽

10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001945 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bmjmilitary-2021-001945

Author(s):

Iain Parsons ◽

J Ellwood ◽

M J Stacey ◽

N Gall ◽

M Grundy-Bowers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Information ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

British Army ◽

Royal Air Force ◽

Reflex Syncope ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Case Rate ◽

The Uk ◽

The Military

IntroductionReflex syncope is the most common subtype of syncope and, despite not being associated with increased mortality, often results in significant morbidity and costly diagnostics. Reflex syncope can be of concern for certain occupational groups and may be exacerbated by some occupations. Reflex syncope in the military is anecdotally common but the extent in the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and prevalence of reflex syncope in the UKAF.MethodsA retrospective search of the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme using prespecified read-codes was performed at defence primary healthcare centres over the period of 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2020. Data were obtained on 76 103 service personnel (SP) (53% of the UKAF).ResultsThe overall syncope case rate for the UKAF was 10.5 per 1000 person-years (p-yrs). In comparing services there was a significantly increased risk of syncope in the British Army (10.7 per 1000 p-yrs) compared with the Royal Air Force (8.6 per 1000 p-yrs) (p=0.0365), SP who served overseas (16.7 per 1000 p-yrs) in comparison with UK medical centres (10.3 per 1000 p-yrs) (p<0.0001), and British Army units that regularly took part in State Ceremonial and Public Duties (15.8 per 1000 p-yrs vs 10.2 per 1000 p-yrs) (p=0.0035). Army training units conferred a significantly reduced risk of syncope (p<0.0001).ConclusionsThese data are the first to define the incidence and prevalence of syncope in the UKAF. Orthostasis and heat are probable triggers, although recruits are potentially protected. These data offer opportunities to improve the health and well-being of SP, with economic, logistical and reputational benefits for the UKAF. Further research to identify personnel at risk of future syncopal events may allow for targeted use of countermeasures.

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MIlitary Combat Mental Health Framework

BMJ Military Health ◽

10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001439 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001439

Author(s):

Martin Bricknell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Military Service ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Future Research ◽

The Subject ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Military Combat

This paper describes a framework for understanding military combat mental health based on the possible mental ill-health consequences of exposure to ‘potential trauma events’ for members of the armed forces and after their military service as veterans. It uses a life course approach that maps an individual’s mental well-being against four ‘states’: fit, reacting, injured and ill. It then considers five categories of factors that influence the risk of mental illness from this exposure based on research evidence; prejoining vulnerability, resilience, precipitating, treatment and recovery. This framework offers a structure to debate current knowledge, inform policy and therapeutic interventions, provide education and to guide future research into the subject.

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Health education role in promoting mothers’ beliefs, knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital population

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20191615 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 1853 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hanin A. Shalaby ◽

Rawan A. Obaid ◽

Ruaa H. Alharthi ◽

Malak M. Barayan ◽

Noura S. Bagabas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Education Program ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Education Program ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Feeding Method ◽

Knowledge And Practice

Background: Breastfeeding is considered an optimal feeding method, as it fulfills the infants' nutritional needs. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), which means to feed an infant solely (with some exceptions) on breast milk, is important for the health and well-being of both infant and mother. However, implementing an effective health education program is essential for promoting EBF and improving health awareness. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to measure mothers’ beliefs, knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding before and after implementing the breastfeeding health education program at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH).Methods: This study employs a quantitative research method and uses a cross-sectional study design. All in-patient and out-patient postnatal women who received information about EBF in their third trimester were evaluated post-delivery. In the period from December 2018 to March 2019, the total number of participants is (n=234).Results: The study indicates a statistically significant positive association between EBF knowledge and practice evaluation scores. Higher levels of breastfeeding (BF) knowledge were found to translate into better BF practice. Knowledge scores also had a significant association with beliefs, with higher knowledge being linked to more positive beliefs in relation to BF.Conclusions: The conducted study reports the major effect of health education intervention on EBF practice among the KFAFH population. As a result, some managerial, and clinical recommendations were addressed. Other recommendations focused on working mothers, as KFAFH may employ some strategies and polices to maximize the use of EBF.

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The place of occupational therapy in the comprehensive rehabilitation of participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation taking into account world experience

TRAUMA ◽

10.22141/1608-1706.6.21.2020.223888 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 46-53

Author(s):

V.S. Sulyma ◽

Yu.O. Filiak ◽

V.M. Krasnovskyi

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Military Service ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Test System ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Guidance Document ◽

Canadian Association

Achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation is the statement that describes the domain and process of occupational therapy in its fullest sense. This definition includes all areas of influence in occupational therapy: type of employment (level of active lifestyle: rest and sleep, education, work, pleasure, social participation), client factors (values, beliefs, spirituality, body functions and structures), skill performance (motor, process and social interaction skills), pattern performance (habits, routines, rituals, roles), environment (cultural, personal, physical, social, virtual). Occupational therapy in military service is difficult in its own way. The main feature is that veterans demand constant monitoring and support. These people are vulnerable to suicide. That’s why occupational therapist should not wait for their self-referral. Members of soldier’s family need to be actively involved in cooperation as well. Practical guidelines of colleagues from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists “Working for the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada” and “A Guidance Document for Occupational Therapists” are most suitable for the implementation in Ukrainian realities. Occupational therapy process starts with an assessment of functioning and disability in relation to a health condition. In Ukraine, an analogue of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 23.05.2018 No. 981) has been identified and introduced, which allows for a comprehensive functional assessment and further steps of planning, monitoring compliance, evaluation of occupational therapy. Primary screening is significantly facilitated by a test system developed by colleagues from different countries, which requires translation into Ukrainian and implementation. It would be appropriate to use a single base of servicemen for their distribution according to the priority of providing care that would optimize the start of occupational therapy. It is necessary to study in detail the long-term experience and advances of developed countries and integrate the promising experience of colleagues in military occupational therapy in Ukraine, which has a chance to become one of the promising specialties with a high level of military service.

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The need to create and implement a platform for managing the professioyal reliability of military personnel of the armed forces of the russian federation, based on the principles of personalizet medicine

Vestnik of Russian military medical Academy ◽

10.17816/brmma63648 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 177-186

Author(s):

Gennadiy G. Kutelev ◽

Dmitry V. Cherkashin ◽

Trishkin V. Trishkin ◽

Evgeny V. Kryukov ◽

Alexander Y. Fisun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Well Being ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Cardiovascular Pathology ◽

Reliability Management ◽

Management Platform ◽

The Russian Federation

The article analyzes modern federal programs aimed at preserving the health and well-being of the population and creating a comfortable and safe environment for life and work. The article describes the arsenal of strategic directions for assessing the risk of developing diseases, diagnostic approaches and scientific principles that contribute to the successful implementation of evaluation measures. The possibility of clarifying the cardiovascular risk in the study of the role of military-professional factors in the formation of cardiovascular pathology in military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is discussed. The article analyzes the effectiveness of traditional diagnostic methods used by the medical service, as well as ways to improve this efficiency when using molecular genetic studies to search for associations with risk factors for neuropsychic and cardiovascular pathology. The article considers the practical necessity of creating a professional reliability management platform based on the principles of personalized medicine, which contributes to prolonging professional longevity and improving the combat readiness of servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Such a method of implementing the professional reliability management platform will significantly increase the informativeness of traditional methods of early diagnosis of cardiovascular and neuropsychic pathology.

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