Immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in Dutch United Nations troops.

Limited information existed on the immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine as part of an extensive vaccination schedule. Dutch marines bound for duty in Cambodia received inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (720 ELISA units of antigen, two intra-gluteal doses at a 2-week interval before departure and an intra-deltoid booster vaccination after 8 months) simultaneously with several other vaccines. Hepatitis A antibodies were determined in blood-samples drawn before and after the booster vaccination, using two laboratory tests (modified HAVAB and SBB-ELISA).

Long-term malaria chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine in Dutch marines in Cambodia.

Three Dutch marine battalions (n=2289) serving in Western Cambodia during 1992-1993 used mefloquine as weekly malaria chemoprophylaxis. One battalion started with a loading dose. Full compliance with prophylaxis was reported by 86.

Sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted diseases in Dutch marines and naval personnel on a United Nations mission in Cambodia.

Objectives: To determine the sexual risk behaviour and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among Dutch marines and naval personnel during a United Nations (UN) deployment.

Methods: Surveillance by post deployment questionnaire, administered to 2289 persons in three successive battalions who served for 6 months on a UN deployment in Cambodia during June 1992-November 1993. On site the medical history of all individuals was kept up to date in a database.