RESUMO
Peacekeeping operations and training for peacekeeping missions currently require far more time and personnel from our armed forces than previously. Although literature exists describing mortality, disease and nonbattle injury (DNBI), and medical support for peacekeeping operations in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far East, none was found concerning operations and training for peacekeeping in South America. The present retrospective study presents an analysis of DNBI for forces participating in CABANAS 2000, an eight-nation peacekeeping training exercise held in Argentina. The mean DNBI rate for the 6-week period was 4.1 cases/100 personnel/week. Frequently cited causes for service member presentations for medical treatment were respiratory disease (43%), orthopedic disorders and injuries (25.9%), other miscellaneous medical conditions (8.5%), dermatologic complaints (6.9%), and diarrhea and intestinal complaints (6.5%). These findings indicate that peacekeeping operations and training in South America are relatively safe.