Freezing cold injuries among soldiers in the Norwegian Armed Forces - A cross sectional study

Tuva Steinberg; Agnete Kristoffersen; Geir Bjerkan; Arne Johan Norheim

doi:10.1080/22423982.2023.2227344

Freezing cold injuries among soldiers in the Norwegian Armed Forces - A cross sectional study

Int J Circumpolar Health. 2023 Dec;82(1):2227344. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2227344.

Authors

Tuva Steinberg^{1

2}, Agnete Kristoffersen², Geir Bjerkan¹, Arne Johan Norheim²

Affiliations

¹ Norwegian Armed Forces - Joint Medical Services (NAF-JMS), Sessvollmoen, Norway.
² National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.

Abstract

Introduction: Freezing cold injuries (FCI) are a common risk in extreme cold weather warfare operations. The Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) have the expertise and capabilities in education and training for warfighting capabilities in the Arctic. Nevertheless, a substantial number of Norwegian soldiers sustain freezing cold injuries annually. The aim of this study was to describe the FCI in the NAF, the associated risk factors and clinical associations.

Methodology: The subjects for the study were soldiers registered with FCI in the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Registry (NAFHR) between January 1st 2004-July1st 2021. The soldiers answered a questionnaire regarding background, activities at the time of injury, description of the FCI, risk factors, medical treatment and any sequelae from their FCI.

Results: FCI in the NAF were most frequently reported among young conscripts (mean20.5 years). Hands and feet are most often injured (90.9%). Only a minority (10.4%) received medical treatment. The majority (72.2%) report sequelae. Extreme weather conditions was the most important risk factor (62.5%).

Conclusions: Most soldiers had the knowledge to avoid FCI, but they were injured anyway. It is concerning that only one in 10 injured soldiers received medical treatment after diagnosed with FCI, increasing the risk of FCI sequelae.

Keywords: Arctic; Cold weather injuries; conscript; freezing cold injury; frostbite; grading; military; risk factor; sequelae; soldier.

MeSH terms

Cold Injury*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Educational Status
Freezing
Humans
Military Personnel*

Grants and funding

The cost of the publication and charges for this article have been funded by a grant from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). No further funding was received.