The health status and quality of life of veterans

Małgorzata Muzalewska
Aleksandra Truszczyńska
Justyna Drzał-Grabiec
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Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland
Received: 19 September 2016 / Accepted: 5 December 2016 / Published: 30 December 2016

Abstract

Introduction. Military operations are associated with high health risks, and loss of life.

Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of military missions on quality of life, health, family and social situation of Polish veterans. An additional aim was to examine how often they suffered from injuries, as well as their subjective evaluation of physiotherapy after returning to the country.

Material and methods. The study involved 60 people: in the study group there were 30 soldiers - veterans (28 men and 2 women) and in control group there were 30 soldiers, who had not participated in missions (28 men and 2 women). The age of the group of veterans was 22 to 58 years, mean age 33.45 ± 11.04 years. The age of the control group was 43 to 21 years, mean 25.10 ± 4.41 years. The test was performed with the use of authors’ own surveys and with two questionnaires: Rolland-Morris and WHOQOL Bref.

Results. The reasons that motivated the soldiers to go on a mission was mainly their desire to improve their financial situation and to take the opportunity to gain experience. Injuries were experienced by 10 soldiers (33%) soldiers. Soldiers’ physical activity, fitness, quality of life and health deteriorated after mission. Return to the home country was related to changes in the psychosocial environment.

Conclusions. 1. Participation in military missions contributed to negative changes in behavior of soldiers and in relationships with relatives and strangers. 2. Despite these, the veterans evaluated their the quality of life and health as well.

 

Cite

Muzalewska M, Truszczyńska A, Drzał-Grabiec J. The health status and quality of life of veterans. Medical Review 2016; 14 (4): 392–400. doi: 10.15584/medrev.2016.4.3

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