Epidemiological experience in the mission of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia.

Epidemiological data have rarely been generated during United Nations (UN) missions to Third World countries, even in situations where there is hardly any combat involvement. Continuous surveillance was therefore carried out during the 12-month stay of UN personnel in Namibia in 1989-90. In this population of 7114 persons, mostly young men, the mortality rate was 255 per 100,000; death was mainly due to traffic accidents. Hospitalization was chiefly because of fever of unknown origin or trauma. Repatriation to the country of origin was necessary in 46 patients, frequently for psychiatric reasons including alcoholism. Over this one-year period there were, on average, 2.7 new consultations per person for treatment (mostly for dental problems), and 0.8 per person for prophylactic measures. The extremely high mortality due to traffic accidents indicates a need for prevention. In the selection process for future missions, more emphasis should be given to the psychological and dental health of volunteers. All military contingents and civilian groups should learn about effective preventive measures prior to their arrival, and adhere to them.

PIP: Medical reports modelled after the US Peace Corps surveillance form provided mortality and morbidity data of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia in 1989-1990. Contingents included Australians, Canadians, Danes, Finns, Kenyans, Malays, Poles, Spaniards, and Britons. Traffic accidents, mostly those on long distance journeys caused 14 of 16 deaths. The fatality ratio was 0.21/million km driven which was considerably higher than that in Switzerland 0.02/million km driven. Even though heavy traffic was not a problem in Namibia, limited experience on unpaved roads; high speeds induced by long and tedious driving; and reduced visibility caused by climactic conditions, fatigue, and alcohol contributed to high fatality. The hospitalization rate of 5.2% (369 patients) was rather high for a young and healthy population. The leading reasons for hospitalization included fever of unknown origin, trauma, and respiratory tract infections. Swiss Medical Unit physicians transferred 25 patients to the State Hospital in Windhoek, most for orthopedic surgery. Injuries, psychiatric problems, and alcoholism resulted in repatriation for 66% of 46 repatriated patients. New consultations for treatment averaged 2.7/person and those for preventive measures averaged 0.8/person. Helicopter pilots was the largest group returning for 2nd visits (56% compared to 1% for logistics staff). The major reasons for attending outpatient clinics included immunizations (18.8%), dental problems (10.5%), and respiratory infections (10.5%). In addition to respiratory infections, other frequent communicable diseases included diarrhea or dysentery, dermatological infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and confirmed or suspected malaria. Preventive measures are needed to reduce mortality due to traffic accidents and the prevalence of psychological and dental problems.

Epidemiological experience in the mission of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia

Epidemiological data have rarely been generated during United Nations (UN) missions to Third World countries, even in situations where there is hardly any combat involvement. Continuous surveillance was therefore carried out during the 12-month stay of UN personnel in Namibia in 1989-90. In this population of 7114 persons, mostly young men, the mortality rate was 255 per 100,000; death was mainly due to traffic accidents. Hospitalization was chiefly because of fever of unknown origin or trauma. Repatriation to the country of origin was necessary in 46 patients, frequently for psychiatric reasons including alcoholism. Over this one-year period there were, on average, 2.7 new consultations per person for treatment (mostly for dental problems), and 0.8 per person for prophylactic measures. The extremely high mortality due to traffic accidents indicates a need for prevention. In the selection process for future missions, more emphasis should be given to the psychological and dental health of volunteers. All military contingents and civilian groups should learn about effective preventive measures prior to their arrival, and adhere to them