Oral health diagnosis of the first joint task force Torogoz. peace operation in Mali

Abstract

Between january and february 2015, an oral health diagnosis was made to the first salvadorean contingent that participated in the Integrated Multidimensional Mission of Stabilization of the United Nations in Mali, called Torogoz. A peace operation approved by the Security Council of the UN in april 2013, because of the coup in this african republic that receives police and military support from 122 countries until now. Following the health protocol that governs the Military Health Command and the Peace Operation Training Center of the Armed Force of El Salvador, the 90 members of Torogoz were examinated to meet the physical and psychological requirements that mission demanded. Specially because this contingent includes only a minority of officers and non comissioned officers with permanent medical attention. In the mean time, the majority of soldiers come from a troop with irregular participation in the army and limited benefits. The result of this quantitative, transversal and prospective investigation about oral health of this provisional Task Force revealed a high prevalence of dental caries despite the majority study subjects recognized the associated risk factors and the benefit of the regular practice of oral health.The research coincides with the World Health Organization about the direct relation between working conditions and quality of life. In that sense, the article offers a reflection about professions and trades of high risk such as militia where stress and health promotion signifcantly affect the performance and public health costs.

CREA CIENCIA Vol. 10 No 2 ISSN1818-202X julio-diciembre 2016, p. 19-27