Injuries and Illnesses of Vietnam War POWs. I. Navy POWs

Abstract

Abstract : Seventy-seven Army POWs were repatriated in Feb - March, 1973, spending up to eight years in South and North Vietnam prisons (mean duration of captivity = 49.3 months). There were 28 officers (mean age at time of capture = 27.6 years) and 49 enlisted men (mean age = 23.0 years). This report documents the injuries and illnesses diagnosed at repatriation. Although the repatriated POWs (RPWs) were generally healthier than had been expected they had an average of 14.9 diagnoses, comprising 386 separate diagnostic entities. The six most prevalent diagnoses were: Helminthiases (77% of the RPWs), Avitaminoses and Other Nutritional Deficiencies (55%), Hearing Impairment (40%), Dermatophytosis (39%), Peripheral Nerve Injury (39%), and Malaria 34%). All diagnoses occurring in at least five percent of the RPWs are reported. In addition, less frequently occurring, but clinically significant diagnoses are discussed.