Pre-deployment Alcohol Misuse Among Shipboard Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel

Harbertson, Judith; Hale, Braden; Watkins, Eren Youmans; Michael, Nelson L.; Scott, Paul T.

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2016.02.029

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…A self-reported, anonymous, voluntary survey gathered demographic, sexual behaviour, alcohol and drug use and other data during 2012 to 2014 among active-duty US Navy and Marine Corps personnel as part of a longitudinal study described elsewhere 9–11. Paper surveys were self-administered at three time periods to assess history and behaviours in a participant’s lifetime and in the preceding 3 months or 12 months of deployment (T1), during deployment (T2) and since returning from deployment (ie, 2 to 3 months post deployment, T3).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal survey of condom use across a US Navy and Marine Corps shipboard deployment

et al. 2019

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ObjectivesCondoms are highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but implementation is often inconsistent with use rarely examined across travel transition periods. We examined the prevalence of condom use among ship-assigned US military personnel across an overseas deployment cycle and identified factors associated with condom non-use.MethodsLongitudinal survey data were collected from ship-assigned US Navy/Marine Corps personnel on 11 ships before (T1), during (T2) and after (T3) an overseas deployment. The anonymous, self-completed survey included demographics, condom use at last sex, STI diagnosis, alcohol misuse and drug use with sex. Descriptive and generalised regression model analyses were conducted.ResultsAnalysis included 1900 (T1), 549 (T2) and 1168 (T3) personnel who reported age, sex and condom use/non-use at last sex. The proportion reporting condom use was significantly higher during T2 (53%, p<0.0001) than T1 (27%) or T3 (28%), with STI prevalences of 1% (T1), 7% (T2) or 2% (T3), with fewer (29%) sexually active individuals at T2. In adjusted models, condom non-use was associated with hazardous alcohol use (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.71), or drug use to enhance sex (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.77), but transactional sex was negatively associated (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.84).ConclusionsCondom use was highest during deployment, as was STI prevalence (among non-users), possibly reflecting concentration of high-risk sexual activities/individuals and/or sexual partners more likely to be infected. Higher condom use with transactional sex likely reflects awareness of higher STI risk. These data can be used to facilitate targeted interventions to reduce STI transmission and may extend to similarly aged cohorts travelling outside the US (eg, college students on spring break).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal survey of condom use across a US Navy and Marine Corps shipboard deployment

et al. 2019

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“…Approximately half of respondents reported binge drinking and nearly one-quarter endorsed heavy drinking during the month before pre-deployment assessment. Although differences in study design preclude definitive comparisons, pre-deployment prevalence of heavy drinking in this sample (23%) appears similar to prevalence of a related outcome (regular binge drinking; 27%) among Navy/Marine Corps personnel preparing to deploy (Harbertson et al , 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Deployment to a combat zone increases risk of alcohol misuse among certain subgroups (Jacobson et al , 2008). Yet systematic characterizations of drinking behavior across military deployment cycles are scarce (Harbertson et al , 2016, Hurt, 2015); and few prospective studies have investigated risk factors for post-deployment alcohol misuse. A notable exception from the Millennium Cohort Study examined alcohol misuse among >48,000 previously non-deployed U.S. servicemembers surveyed in 2001–2003 and 2004–2006 (Jacobson et al , 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospective risk factors for post-deployment heavy drinking and alcohol or substance use disorder among US Army soldiers

et al. 2017

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BackgroundInvestigations of drinking behavior across military deployment cycles are scarce, and few prospective studies have examined risk factors for post-deployment alcohol misuse.MethodsPrevalence of alcohol misuse was estimated among 4645 US Army soldiers who participated in a longitudinal survey. Assessment occurred 1–2 months before soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 (T0), upon their return to the USA (T1), 3 months later (T2), and 9 months later (T3). Weights-adjusted logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of hypothesized risk factors with post-deployment incidence and persistence of heavy drinking (HD) (consuming 5 + alcoholic drinks at least 1–2×/week) and alcohol or substance use disorder (AUD/SUD).ResultsPrevalence of past-month HD at T0, T2, and T3 was 23.3% (s.e. = 0.7%), 26.1% (s.e. = 0.8%), and 22.3% (s.e. = 0.7%); corresponding estimates for any binge drinking (BD) were 52.5% (s.e. = 1.0%), 52.5% (s.e. = 1.0%), and 41.3% (s.e. = 0.9%). Greater personal life stress during deployment (e.g., relationship, family, or financial problems) – but not combat stress – was associated with new onset of HD at T2 [per standard score increase: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.20, 95% CI 1.06–1.35, p = 0.003]; incidence of AUD/SUD at T2 (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.25–1.89, p < 0.0005); and persistence of AUD/SUD at T2 and T3 (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.08–1.56, p = 0.005). Any BD pre-deployment was associated with post-deployment onset of HD (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 2.57–4.02, p < 0.0005) and AUD/SUD (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.27–2.70, p = 0.001).ConclusionsAlcohol misuse is common during the months preceding and following deployment. Timely intervention aimed at alleviating/managing personal stressors or curbing risky drinking might reduce risk of alcohol-related problems post-deployment.

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“…However, in the Australian case, the soldiers are known to control their own alcohol consumption due to punitive military laws and regulations as well as close monitoring by their MPs. This does not distract or prevent all the affected personnel from purchasing discounted alcohol locally (in Australia), during the pre-deployment phase as well as during actual overseas postings (Harbertson et al, 2016). In any case, most barowners are happy to offer discounts to military personnel for two reasons, those who purchase alcohol, buy a lot of it; and most military personnel have limited time on their hands.…”

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confidence: 99%

Normative Behavioral and Psychiatric Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Military Special Forces

Rappa¹

2022

Psychiatry Behav Health.

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A Normative Behavioral and Psychiatric method makes use of focus group surveys and individual interviews rather than simplistic analyses of variance that soon becomes outdated. This paper makes use of normative behavioral and psychiatric to analyze the effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the operational-readiness of Special Force (SF) units in Southeast Asia. Many such abuses occur during airborne, ranger and other specialized skills’ training. These specialized skills include Military Free Fall (MFF) courses; parachute Jumpmaster courses; Pathfinder courses and demolition courses. The paper also explains why there is a virtual absence of women in Military Special Forces (SF). The paper concludes with the prospects for the deployment and development of Military Special Forces (SF) in America, Southeast Asia and around the world. The main focus of this paper is on the behavioral and psychiatric effects of alcohol consumption among military personnel with special reference to Special Force units in Southeast Asia. There are several factors involved in alcohol abuse in the military. One of the enablers of alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse in the Special Forces (SF) is ease of access. The other factors include discounted alcohol; peer-pressure; hypermasculinity and hero-worship; and, the system of rewards.

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Pre-deployment Alcohol Misuse Among Shipboard Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel

Cited by 8 publications

References 28 publications

Longitudinal survey of condom use across a US Navy and Marine Corps shipboard deployment

Longitudinal survey of condom use across a US Navy and Marine Corps shipboard deployment

Prospective risk factors for post-deployment heavy drinking and alcohol or substance use disorder among US Army soldiers

Normative Behavioral and Psychiatric Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Military Special Forces

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