Disease-related mortality among 21,609 Norwegian male military peacekeepers deployed to Lebanon between 1978 and 1998

Abstract

Objective: To investigate external-cause mortality among 21 609 Norwegian male military peacekeepers deployed to Lebanon during 1978–1998.

<br>Methods: The cohort was followed from first day of deployment through 2013, and mortality during deployment and post discharge was assessed using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) calculated from national rates in Norway. Poisson regression was used to see the effect of high- versus low-conflict exposure. <br>Results: For the total cohort, external-cause mortality was within expected values during deployment (SMR=0.80) and post discharge (SMR=1.05). In the low-conflict exposure group, a lower mortality from all external causes (SMR=0.77), transport accidents (SMR=0.55), and accidental poisoning (SMR=0.53) was seen. The high-conflict exposure group showed an elevated mortality from all external causes (SMR=1.20), transport accidents (SMR=1.51), and suicide (SMR=1.30), but these risks were elevated only during the first 5 years after discharge. This group also showed elevated mortality from all external causes (RR=1.49), and for transport accidents (RR=3.30) when compared with the low-conflict exposure group. <br>Conclusions: Overall external-cause mortality among our peacekeepers was equal to national rates during deployment and post discharge. High conflict exposure was associated with elevated mortality from all external causes, transport accidents, and suicide during the first 5 years after discharge from service.