Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"The challenges of urban family physician program over the past decade in Iran: a scoping review and qualitative study with policy-makers.","authors":"Kamran Bagheri Lankarani,&nbsp;Behnam Honarvar,&nbsp;Saeed Shahabi,&nbsp;Fatemeh Zarei,&nbsp;Masoud Behzadifar,&nbsp;Maryam Hedayati,&nbsp;Mozhgan Fardid,&nbsp;Fatemeh Rafiee,&nbsp;Mariano Martini,&nbsp;Soheila Rafiei Nejad","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.3029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.3029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite all the advantages of urban family physician program (UFPP), there is still a gap between UFPP and what is actually achieved by the community after its implementation in Iran. In response, this study attempted to review published studies related to the barriers to the implementation of the UFPP in Iran as well as potential solutions to improve it. Further, a qualitative study was conducted to learn the perspectives of experts at the national level and in the Fars province in order to better understand the program's challenges.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted in two phases. First, a scoping review was done, aiming to identify the common barriers and potential solutions to implementing UFPP in Iran. Second, a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted to investigate the views of decision- and policy-makers regarding barriers to and solutions for implementing the UFPP in the Fars province over the last decade. The findings were classified using the five control knobs framework (organization, financing, payment, regulation, and behavior).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most common barriers to UFPP were: 1) organization (ununited stewardship function of the Ministry of Health, weak management and planning, inadequate training of human resources, and a weak referral system); 2) financing (fragmented insurance funds, insufficient financial resources, and instability of financial resources); 3) payment (inappropriate payment mechanisms and delay in payments); 4) regulation (cumbersome laws and unclear laws); and 5) behavior (cultural problems and conflict of interests). On the other hand, several solutions were identified to improve the implementation of UFPP, including: enhancing the role of government; improving the referral system; providing comprehensive training for UFPP providers; considering sustainable financial resources; moving towards mixed-payment mechanisms; employing appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks; enhancing community awareness; and elevating incentive mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research found that, despite the UFPP having been in place for a decade in Iran, there are still significant challenges in all five components. Therefore, the promotion of this program requires solving the existing implementation challenges in order to achieve the predetermined goals. The ideas in this study can be used to improve the current program in Fars Province and bring it to other cities in Iran.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E232-E264"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/76/8a/jpmh-2023-02-e232.PMC10468186.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10193143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Status of the utilization of preventive care services and its associated socio-demographic factors among Iranian elderly.","authors":"Rozita Mohamadi Khanghah,&nbsp;Fereshteh Besharati,&nbsp;Parand Pourghane,&nbsp;Bahareh Gholami-Chaboki","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2913","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2913","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The growing population of the elderly, the rising costs of medical care and the low use of preventive services are three factors that highlight the importance of using preventive health care services in the Iranian population. This study aimed to determine the status of the use of preventive care services and its associated socio-demographic factors in the elderly referred to health centers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this analytical cross-sectional study, a number of 160 elderly people referred to health centers in East Guilan, Iran was selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were obtained from May to September, 2021 using a questionnaire containing utilization of preventive care services (9 items) and socio-demographic characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The highest and the lowest utilization rates of preventive care services among study participants were related to the blood pressure test (96.9%) and colonoscopy (17.5%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only income had a significant association with performing fasting blood sugar test (p = 0.004), blood lipid test (p = 0.004), and blood pressure test (p = 0.013). Also, the associations between having an underlying disease and performing fasting blood sugar test (p = 0.032) and blood pressure test (p = 0.002), the association between gender and performing the bone mineral density test (p < 0.001), and the association between occupation and performing Pap-smear test (p = 0.011), were statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The utilization rates of screening tests for most cancers, including gastrointestinal cancers, were low. Since, there were a significant association between income, disease, gender and occupation with the utilization of some preventive care services, considering them in health centers' preventive care program design might be useful.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E188-E197"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/5c/3a/jpmh-2023-02-e188.PMC10468182.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10201024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethics and humanization of care: Reflections in the teaching of French institutional psychotherapy experience.","authors":"Valeria Schiavone,&nbsp;Linda Alfano,&nbsp;Rosagemma Ciliberti","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.3020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.3020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>French institutional psychotherapy, developed by Jean Oury and his team at the Clinic de la Borde, has played a significant role in the evolution of psychotherapeutic practice, highlighting the importance of considering the institutional context as a determining factor in understanding and treating mental disorders. This innovative approach, based on recognition of asylums' pathogenic effects, has placed particular emphasis on the humanisation of treatment and the application of bioethical principles within psychiatric institutions. This article aims to investigate the key elements of French institutional psychotherapy, analysing its relationship with bioethics and its contribution to the humanisation of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E198-E203"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/4f/50/jpmh-2023-02-e198.PMC10468185.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10201025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sense of Coherence (SOC) of Italian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of associated factors.","authors":"Maria Francesca Piazza,&nbsp;Ludovica Munarin,&nbsp;Duke Ashong,&nbsp;Giulia Bellantonio,&nbsp;Arianna Varnier,&nbsp;Francesca Sanna,&nbsp;Michela Muzzin,&nbsp;Carmela Russo","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2995","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2995","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for healthcare workers worldwide, potentially affecting their sense of coherence (SOC) and overall well-being. This study aimed to identify factors associated with different levels of SOC among healthcare workers, exploring demographic characteristics, work-related factors, changes in relationships and social habits, and the overall well-being.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 628 healthcare workers. SOC scores were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between these factors and SOC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Healthcare workers had a lower average SOC score (mean: 57.1) compared to the national average in Italy (mean: 60.3). Younger age and shorter length of service were associated with a higher risk of low SOC (p < 0.0001). Healthcare workers in the northwestern regions of Italy had an increased risk of low SOC compared to their counterparts in the northeastern regions (p = 0.0336). Adverse pandemic-related experiences and worsening social relationships were also associated with a higher risk of low SOC (p < 0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the unique challenges and stressors faced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on SOC. Age, length of service, geographic location, and social status were significant factors influencing SOC levels. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance SOC and well-being, particularly for younger and newly employed healthcare workers. Strategies promoting social connections, work-life balance, and psychological support services are crucial to support healthcare workers' resilience and coping abilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E161-E171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/98/c6/jpmh-2023-02-e161.PMC10468180.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10201028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between physical activity and risk of COVID-19 infection or clinical outcomes of the patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Farzin Halabchi,&nbsp;Behnaz Mahdaviani,&nbsp;Behnaz Tazesh,&nbsp;Sakineh Shab-Bidar,&nbsp;Maryam Selk-Ghaffari","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2625","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2625","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious consequences for global health and economy. The important question is whether the level of physical activity might influence the risk of COVID-19 incidence or clinical outcomes, including the severity or mortality of infected patients. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the association between sufficient physical activity and incidence, hospitalization, severity, recovery, and mortality of COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus between December 2019 and November 2021 was conducted. Studies were screened based on the inclusion criteria, i.e. observational studies (case-control, prospective or retrospective longitudinal designs, and cross-sectional studies) which have determined the association of physical activity, exercise, sports participation, or sedentary behavior with COVID-19 incidence or outcomes, including mortality, severity, recovery and hospitalization in healthy population or population with any specific comorbidity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Based on eligibility criteria, 27 articles were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The meta-analysis of five studies evaluating the association of physical activity and COVID-19 mortality showed a weighted OR of OR of 0.61 (CI 95%: 0.50-0.75) with heterogeneity (I² = 45.8%, P < 0.001) and in seven studies regarding physical activity and COVID-19 hospitalization, weighted OR was 0.541 (CI 95%: 0.491-0.595) with heterogeneity (I² = 81.7%, P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Participating in sufficient physical activity might decrease COVID-19 related COVID-19-related hospitalization and mortality. Developing programs to increase physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic might be an appropriate health strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E123-E136"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/e1/eb/jpmh-2023-02-e123.PMC10468187.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10145774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can a UV-C box help the cinema industry by disinfecting video cameras?","authors":"Davide Amodeo,&nbsp;Sandro Limaj,&nbsp;Isa DE Palma,&nbsp;Nicola Nante,&nbsp;Gabriele Cevenini,&nbsp;Gabriele Messina","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2848","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>UV-C has proven to be an effective virucide and microbicide, and its cost-effectiveness allowed it to spread as a disinfecting procedure in different environments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study aims to determine the microbicide activity on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and SARS-CoV-2 of the UV-C Boxer by Cartoni S.p.A. Three separate experiments were performed to assess the effectiveness of the UV-C disinfection device on different materials, directly on surfaces of a video camera and on a specific carrier for SARS-CoV-2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all three experiments, a significant abatement of bacterial and viral contamination was reached after 60 seconds on carriers and after 3 minutes on all examined surfaces of the video camera, with a higher reduction on glass carriers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>UV-C devices may be a valuable tool to implement in the working routine to achieve a higher level of safety in work environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E137-E144"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f3/7c/jpmh-2023-02-e137.PMC10468181.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10145767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ERRATA CORRIGE.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article on p. E1-E443 in vol. 63.].</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E269"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/db/1f/jpmh-2023-02-e269.PMC10468183.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10145771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among academic medicine faculty in Kazakhstan: a Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Assem Uristemova,&nbsp;Ayan Myssayev,&nbsp;Serik Meirmanov,&nbsp;Lyudmila Migina,&nbsp;Laura Pak,&nbsp;Assel Baibussinova","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2932","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.2.2932","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Psychological distress refers to a set of painful mental and physical symptoms of anxiety and depression, which often coexist and coincide with common somatic complaints and chronic conditions. In Kazakhstan, mental disorders are the second leading cause of years lived with disability. Currently, medical education in Kazakhstan is undergoing comprehensive reform, which creates an additional burden on faculty, fostering mental health concerns.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 large medical universities in Kazakhstan. Data were obtained from 715 faculty academics by using an online self-reported DASS-21. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to evaluate the relationship between predictor and outcome variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The total prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 40.6%, 41.3%, and 53.0%, respectively. Younger age (p = 0.002), female gender (p = 0.001), being single (p = 0.044) or in a relationship (p = 0.001), having chronic diseases (p < 0.001), holding Master (p = 0.036) or PhD degree (p = 0.040), employment status (p = 0.034), and being involved in additional activities (p = 0.049) were significantly associated with different dimensions of distress.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Nearly half of the study population reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Due to the higher prevalence of psychological distress amongst academic medicine faculty, determined risk factors must be taken into consideration in developing policies for mental issues prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 2","pages":"E215-E225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/48/c5/jpmh-2023-02-e215.PMC10468191.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10193139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge and attitude towards monkeypox among the Lebanese population and their attitude towards vaccination.","authors":"Youssef Jamaleddine, Asem Abou El Ezz, Mahmoud Mahmoud, Omar Ismail, Ahmad Saifan, Zaid Mayta, Abdallah Saab, Pascale Salameh","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.1.2903","DOIUrl":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.1.2903","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Monkeypox is a currently re-emerging disease in the world and several cases have been detected in Lebanon. For this reason, an assessment of the knowledge and attitude of the Lebanese population towards monkeypox and smallpox or monkeypox vaccines had to be done.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire developed from previous literature among a sample of Lebanese residents. It recorded the sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities of the participants and analyzed the patterns of knowledge and attitudes in Lebanon.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 493 participants, it was found that there is a generally low knowledge of and an average attitude toward monkeypox. However, knowledge is better with higher educational levels, COVID-19 vaccination, and residency in the south of Lebanon and poorer with marriage and residency in Beirut. Attitude is better in females but poorer with higher educational levels. Several other effectors have been devised too. As for vaccination, taking the smallpox vaccine as a proactive measure is predicted with previous COVID-19 vaccination and better attitude but not in the residents of the north of Lebanon and married Lebanese residents. Higher educational levels and a better attitude were positive predictions of taking the monkeypox vaccine whenever it is developed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study revealed low level of knowledge and attitude towards monkeypox and its vaccines, which can be a rich resource when proactive measures are developed.</p>","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 1","pages":"E13-E26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/4e/5f/jpmh-2023-01-e13.PMC10246610.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9610363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Results of COVID-19 screening in a dermatologic clinic in Northern Italy.","authors":"Martina Burlando, Samuele Boldrin, Ilaria Salvi, Emanuele Cozzani, Aurora Parodi","doi":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.1.2544","DOIUrl":"10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.1.2544","url":null,"abstract":"Dear Editor, The COVID‐19 pandemic has been a social, economic and sanitary challenge, which has taken a great toll on all Health Systems [1]. Dermatology clinics were not spared by the pandemic, suffering a dramatic slowdown in most activities, including prevention, follow‐up, non‐essential procedures and education [2]. With the reopening of outpatient services, a new challenge was posed by the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission from asymptomatic or newly infected individuals, which are known to be still able to spread the virus [3]. However, it appeared that the benefit of resuming routine clinical activities would outweigh the risk of potential infections. Between January and March 2021, our dermatologic clinic promoted a screening campaign directed to both patients and healthcare personnel based on rapid antigen‐testing ICOV‐502. Compared to the real‐time RT‐PCR test, rapid antigen‐testing offers advantages in terms of time and cost, while still guaranteeing high specificity (relative specificity 98.3%) and high sensitivity (relative sensitivity 85.0%), as stated by the manufacturer Citest Diagnostics Inc. A triage area was instituted, in which patients were tested and waited for the time needed to process the samples. Appropriate social distancing and correct use of face masks were enforced in the triage area. After a negative test result, patients were allowed in the consulting rooms upstairs. Preventative measures were still adopted in the entire clinic. The study has been approved by the ethics committee (protocol DERM SARS‐CoV‐2, 25 January 2021). Informed consent was obtained by all participants. A total of 635 subjects were recruited, of whom 356 (56.1%) were females and 279 (43.9%) were males. The average age was 54. A total of 514 subjects, 299 females (58.2%) and 215 males (41.8%), agreed to be enrolled in the study. The average age was 54. A total of 121 subjects, 57 females (47.1%) and 64 males (52.9%) refused to be enrolled and were not tested. The average age was 53. Only 1 of the 514 tests was positive for COVID‐19. The COVID‐19 positive patient was immediately dismissed from the clinic and referred to the local health department. The patient’s family members were preventatively isolated and subsequently tested negative. The incidence of COVID‐19 infection among the tested subjects was thus very low (0.002%). This confirms the findings of other studies [4, 5]. However, 19.1% of the recruited subjects refused to be tested. This data reflects the relatively widespread hesitancy towards testing already documented among the general public [6]. Many of those who declined the test justified their refusal with fear of testing positive. This is clearly an attempt to avoid the consequences of a positive result and, considering the average age of the subjects, it is likely that such consequences may be related to work and finance. Moreover, we found that male patients were more likely to refuse to be tested (p = 0.0324). In accordance to th","PeriodicalId":35174,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene","volume":"64 1","pages":"E1-E2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/38/9c/jpmh-2023-01-e1.PMC10246614.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9613493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}