[Morbidity and mortality of military personnel at the Abidjan Military Hospital (AMH) in Côte d’Ivoire]

The purpose of this retrospective study was to document morbi-mortality in soldiers at the Abidjan Military Hospital (AMH). The medical files of soldiers treated at Abidjan Military Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2004 were reviewed. During the study period, a total of 155 soldiers were treated for 259 pathologies including 208 infectious diseases (80.5%). The most common diseases were HIV infection (85 cases; 42%), pneumopathy (40 cases; 19%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (22 cases; 10.5%), malaria (18 cases; 9%) and tuberculosis (11 cases; 5%). Direct causes of death were cerebral toxoplasmosis (32%), pneumopathy (28%), tuberculosis (16%) and severe malaria (12%). The prevalence of HIV infection in soldiers who died was 76%. Morbi-mortality in military personnel at the AMH is due mainly to HIV infection and related complications. Specific prevention measures should be implemented for an effective control of this epidemic.