Military-related sexual trauma among Veterans Health Administration patients returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Kimerling, Rachel; Street, Amy E; Pavao, Joanne; Smith, Mark W; Cronkite, Ruth C; Holmes, Tyson H; Frayne, Susan M · Am J Public Health · 2010

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

We examined military-related sexual trauma among deployed Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Of 125 729 veterans who received Veterans Health Administration primary care or mental health services, 15.1% of the women and 0.7% of the men reported military sexual trauma when screened. Military sexual trauma was associated with increased odds of a mental disorder diagnosis, including posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders. Sexual trauma is an important postdeployment mental health issue in this population.

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