Deployed women's illness behaviors while managing genitourinary symptoms: An exploratory theoretical synthesis of two qualitative studies

Abstract

BackgroundThe recent removal of United States military combat exclusion rules resulted in more women serving in forward deployed austere conditions. In the deployed setting, women were diagnosed with genitourinary (GU) conditions five times greater than men. PurposeDescribe deployed military women's GU illness behaviors. MethodTwo qualitative descriptive studies interviewing military women and enlisted medics were synthesized using the Illness Behavior Model. DiscussionSimilar and divergent views on the impact of the military culture of the illness behaviors were described by women and medics. Both agreed appropriate attention on managing GU symptoms must continue; however differing strategies were appraised. One agreed option was to offer a health care mentor. ConclusionThe Illness Behavior Model provided an excellent framework for evaluation of military women's illness behaviors exposing areas for comparing and contrasting the perspectives provided. While significant changes have been made, additional strategies will continue to improve the women's deployed health care quality.