Norwegian Armed Forces

IntroductionAs part of a Norwegian Ministry of Defence initiative, we examined the health records and mortality of veterans who served in Opération des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC) from 1960 to 1964.Materials and MethodsWe manually searched personnel folders of ONUC veterans located in the National Archives in Oslo. After transcription and quality checks of the data, we employed descriptive statistics to examine the health records assessed before and after ONUC. We linked information from 640 veterans identified in the Norwegian National Population Register to the Causes of Death Registries to analyze their mortality. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare the observed number of deaths among veterans to the expected deaths among all Norwegian men. Poisson regression analysis was used to compare mortality rates across different operation-related factors and expressed as relative risk.ResultsThe average birth year of ONUC veterans was 1931 and the average deployment year was 1962, with deployment typically lasting 6 months. Most veterans served in the Air Force (59.4%). Their health profiles remained so following the operation and over the years. The SMR for all-cause mortality was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.90), indicating lower mortality than the general male population. There was no elevated SMR for external causes (SMR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.50-1.15). We did not find any operation-related factors that were associated with mortality.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological study using data from UN operations prior to 1978. While we experienced challenges in digitizing preserved paper-based health records for Norwegian ONUC veterans, we found that they generally had good health and lower mortality, suggesting a “healthy soldier effect.” Systematic follow-up for veterans is needed in order to preserve health data for future research and veteran welfare.

Archived military documents contain health information that can enrich the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Registry (NAFHR). However, uncertainty exists about the preservation of the documents for digital reproduction and the accuracy of clinical measurements for research purposes. This study aims to present and assess the quality of military health data extracted from the paper-based personnel files of Norwegian men born in 1950. We digitized the military health information of approximately 60% (n=17,324) of the Norwegian men who were born in 1950. Health records were manually transcribed, and some of the transcribed data were checked for errors by using similar registrations in the NAFHR. Clinical measures were compared with results from national health surveys. Variations between the conscription board health examinations and the examinations on the first day of service were explored. Transcribed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor data were tested with logistic regression models to assess their predictive ability. The transcribed data showed good compliance and readability, with overall accurate and valid clinical measurements. While minor variations existed between the data recorded on conscription board examinations and medical examinations on the first service day, the measurements generally aligned with the national health survey results. Several of the CVD risk factors showed the expected associations with CVD mortality. This study highlights the readability and accuracy of digitized military health data. Further digitization promises enhanced communication and expanded research opportunities.

Jammertest is the largest known GNSS jamming, meaconing, and spoofing test event in the world, which has an open policy towards both user participation and user communication with no restrictions on the sharing of data or publication of results. The organizers implemented several changes and enhancements within the 2023 test campaign to further broaden the appeal and applicability of the tests for as many demographics of GNSS users as possible. More than 200 participants from 19 nations took part in person from 18 to 22 September at the test sites along the west coast of the Andøy island. This paper summarizes the design and motivation of the tests and test venue with particular attention to the efforts taken to provide users with precision timing and frequency references independent of the denied and disrupted GNSS signals. Aspects of surveilling and enforcing unintentional emissions, and real-time communication and coordination to the large number of distributed participants are also discussed.

Military personnel are trained throughout their career for wartime, yet the expectation and the valence associated with being in combat differs quite extensively. Despite factors that could influence military personnel's perception of being exposed to combat, happenstance in combat theaters frequently results in experiencing combat even for those who would not necessarily expect to. Although the importance of expectations within the context of trauma has been evidenced in multiple contexts, combat expectancy has never been examined as having an influence in the trauma-posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relationship. Based on stress-related theories that suggest expecting and valuing an event would act as a buffering agent, we introduce the concept of "positive-expectancy factors" (expectations of event, valence of the expected event) and argue that expectations and valence of events moderate the relationship between job demands (trauma exposure) and distress following combat (PTSD). Rooted in job resource demand, we test our hypothesis on a sample of Norwegian military personnel (N = 396) over four time points pre- to postdeployment to Afghanistan. Results support our hypothesis and reveal a buffering positive-expectancy interaction such that when experienced together, met expectations of an event (combat) and high event valence decrease PTSD. However, met expectations of combat, nor valence of combat by themselves, decrease PTSD. Results showed that military personnel who did not expect, nor hold valence for combat, were most at risk for PTSD if combat was experienced. We further discuss implications for high-risk occupations in military and civilian contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

ABSTRACTNew advances in computerized adaptive testing (CAT) have increased the feasibility of high‐stakes unproctored testing of general mental ability (GMA) in personnel selection contexts. This study presents the results from a within‐subject investigation of the convergent validity of unproctored tests. Three batteries of cognitive ability tests were administered during personnel selection in the Norwegian Armed Forces. A total of 537 candidates completed two sets of proctored fixed‐length GMA tests before and during the selection process. In addition, an at‐home unproctored CAT battery of tests was administered before the selection process began. Differences and similarities between the convergent validity of the tests were evaluated. The convergent validity coefficients did not significantly differ between proctored and unproctored batteries, both on observed GMA scores and the latent factor level. The distribution and standardized residuals of test scores comparing proctored‐proctored and proctored‐unproctored were overall quite similar and showed no evidence of score inflation or deflation in the unproctored tests. The similarities between proctored and unproctored results also extended to the moderately searchable words similarity test. Although some unlikely individual cases were observed, the overall results suggest that the unproctored tests maintained their convergent validity.

BackgroundIn response to the growing need for effective programmes to promote healthy eating habits among children in real-world settings, we conducted a qualitative study. Our aim was to explore the content-related needs of early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff regarding the core components of an upcoming digital “healthy eating” resource. This resource, designed for real-world implementation through the Nutrition Now project, seeks to enhance children’s nutrition and health within ECEC settings.MethodsTwelve individual semi-structured interviews with ECEC staff in a Norwegian municipality were conducted. Subsequently, we conducted two focus group discussions, involving five participants, to encourage reflection on the preliminary findings from the individual interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using Nvivo software. Data from the interviews and focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically to identify and summarise staff’s subjective experiences and reasoning.ResultsSix themes were identified for the development of the upcoming digital “healthy eating” resource: (1) A comprehensive recipe bank, and menu suggestions, (2) Tips for easy and quick cooking, simple hygiene and allergy management, (3) Age-appropriate food learning ideas, (4) Strategies for mealtime learning and engagement, (5) Alignment with the national ECEC curriculum, and (6) Parent-friendly access and content.ConclusionsThis research provides valuable guidance and informs the adaptation of an expert-led digital “healthy eating” intervention to better suit ECEC staff and the ECEC context, consequently enhancing its feasibility and effectiveness.Trial registrationThis study was not registered in a trial registry as it is not a clinical trial or intervention study but serves as a pilot for the Nutrition Now study, trial identifier ISRCTN10694967 (https//doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10694967), registration date 19/06/2022.

Whole blood can be ABO-type specific (type-specific whole blood (TSWB)) or low-titer O universal donor (low-titer O whole blood (LTOWB)). Having previously used LTOWB, the US Armed Forces Blood Program began using TSWB in 1965 as a method of increasing the donor pool. In contrast to military practice, the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies formerly the American association of blood banks (AABB), from its first guidelines in 1958 until 2018, permitted only TSWB. Attempting to reduce time to transfusion, the US military reintroduced LTOWB in the deployed environment in 2015; this practice was endorsed by the AABB in 2018 and is progressively being implemented by military and civilian providers worldwide. Low-titer O whole blood is the only practical solution prehospital. However, there are several reasons to retain the option of TSWB in hospitals with a laboratory. These include (1) as-yet ill-defined risks of immunological complications from ABO-incompatible plasma (even when this has low titers of anti-A and -B), (2) risks of high volumes of LTOWB including published historical advice (based on clinical experience) not to transfuse type-specific blood for 2 to 3 weeks following a substantial LTOWB transfusion, (3) uncertainty as to the optimal definition of "low titer," and (4) expanding the potential donor pool by allowing type-specific transfusion. Several large randomized controlled trials currently underway are comparing LTOWB with component therapy, but none address the question of LTOWB versus TSWB. There are sufficient data to suggest that the additional risks of transfusing LTOWB to non-group O recipients should be avoided by using TSWB as soon as possible. Combined with the advantage of maintaining an adequate supply of blood products in times of high demand, this suggests that retaining TSWB within the civilian and military blood supply system is desirable. TSWB should be preferred when patient blood group is confirmed in facilities with a hematology laboratory, with LTOWB reserved for patients whose blood group is unknown.

Abstract Aim This study aims to present and assess the quality of military health data extracted from paper-based personnel files of Norwegian men born in 1950, proposing avenues for future research. Background Archived military documents contain health information that can enrich the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Registry (NAFHR) with more detailed clinical measurements of older birth cohorts. However, uncertainty exists about the preservation of digital reproduction and the accuracy of clinical measurements for research purposes. Methods To establish an infrastructure at the National Archives of Norway, we digitized military health information covering approximately 60% (n = 17 324) of Norwegian men born in 1950. Health records were manually transcribed, and transcribed data were controlled for registered data in the NAFHR. Clinical measures were compared with results from comparable national health surveys, and variations between the conscription board health examinations and the examinations on the first day of service were explored. Transcribed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor data were tested with logistic regression models to assess their predictive ability. Results The transcribed data showed good compliance and readability, with overall accurate and valid clinical measurements. While some variations existed between the two examination settings, the measurements generally aligned with the national health survey results. Several of the CVD risk factors in the cohort showed the expected associations with CVD mortality. Conclusion This study highlights the readability and accuracy of digitized military health data, emphasizing its potential for public health and future research through the NAFHR. Further digitization efforts promise enhanced communication and expanded research opportunities.

On March 12th 2020 extensive measures were implemented to prevent spread of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). These measures were commonly referred to as "lockdown". In this study we investigate the psychological impact associated with living under these circumstances among patients with psychotic disorders receiving care from specialized mental health services in Norway. During early phases of lockdown, patients and clinicians receiving and providing mental health care for psychotic disorders in specialized health services at Oslo University Hospital were asked to fill out questionnaires developed for the study. 129 participants from outpatient clinics (91 patients and 38 clinicians) and 89 from inpatient wards (15 patients and 74 clinicians) were recruited. Data regarding mental health and related symptoms were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and standard multiple regression. Outpatients reported significantly less extensive worrying, loneliness and hallucinatory experiences during early phase lockdown compared to the two weeks prior. Reductions in loneliness were predictive of experienced improvement in subjective mental health. However, the majority of clinicians from outpatient clinics believed their patients were experiencing more worrying and loneliness. The result of this study suggests that many patients with psychosis experienced less loneliness, excessive worrying and hallucinations during the first phase of lockdown. This contrasts the clinicians' perceptions, as the patients show signs of resilience during times of uncertainty. The limitation in the study timeframe should be noted.

EDITORIAL article Front. Educ., 27 October 2023Sec. Higher Education Volume 8 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1277282