The effect of shower/bath frequency on the health and operational effectiveness of soldiers in a field setting

Dermal disease is significant cause of morbidity among soldiers in a combat setting. For example, among American combat troops in Vietnam, disability from skin disease was one of the single most important medical causes of man-days lost from combat. Currently, the US Army makes shower or bath facilities available to soldiers in the field on a weekly basis. US Army after-action reports and anecdotal descriptions from the field indicate that this may not be an optimal regimen for the maintenance of personal hygiene, especially with respect to diseases of the skin. Determination of the optimal frequency of showering of bathing for soldiers in a combat setting is complicated by the fact of showering or bathing for soldiers in a combat setting is complicated by the fact that soldiers in the US Army may be involved in field exercise or combat in many different areas of the world with a variety of climatic conditions. Although certain aspects of the role of environmental factors in the incidence and severity of dermal disease have been documented, the role of hygiene in the potential mitigation of these effects has not been evaluated. The present project entails a comprehensive review and analysis of available literaturemore » in order to determine the health impact of shower/bath frequency for soldiers in a combat setting. An integral component of this work is an evaluation of the impact of climate, and microclimate produced by clothing, on the type, frequency, and severity of skin disease. There is relatively large body of information concerning the effectiveness of antimicrobial soaps in minimizing the incidence and severity of dermal disease. This data will be evaluated to determine whether use of these soaps, or an increase in the use of cleansing agents in general, will result in a decrease in the severity and incidence of diseases of the skin for soldiers in the field. 32 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.« less