The epidemiology of dermatologic and venereologic disease in a deployed operational setting

We studied the epidemiology, morbidity, and etiology of dermatologic and non-human immunodeficiency virus venereologic disease (Derm/STD) aboard a deployed aircraft carrier to revise Derm/STD training objectives for shipboard primary care providers. Onboard supplies for treatment of Derm/STD were also evaluated. Over 3 months, 929 Derm/STD patients were treated for 1,320 diagnoses generating 2,011 visits. Derm/STD caused 22% of the total morbidity. Pyoderma alone accounted for nearly one-half of that morbidity and involved many work-center groups. Air wing, aircraft maintenance, and engineering work-center groups had lower burdens of pyoderma. Bacterial cultures were performed on 248 exudative dermatoses. Staphylococcus aureus was the dominant pathogen and was overwhelmingly sensitive in vitro to common, inexpensive antibiotics. Strategies to encourage prevention, earlier diagnosis, and rapid treatment of Derm/STD by deployed primary care providers are discussed.