Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)最新文献

{"title":"Implementation of Telemedicine for Patients Referred to Emergency Medical Services.","authors":"Francesca Cortellaro, Lucia Taurino, Marzia Delorenzo, Paolo Pausilli, Valeria Ilardo, Andrea Duca, Giuseppe Stirparo, Giorgio Costantino, Filippo Galbiati, Ernesto Contro, Guido Bertolini, Lorenzo Fenech, Giuseppe Maria Sechi","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030036","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> he surge in the use of Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) and Emergency Departments (ED) has become a pressing issue worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this challenge, we developed an experimental and innovative care pathway supported by telemedicine. The aim of this study is to describe the activity of the Integrated Medical Center (CMI): a new telemedicine-based care model for patients referring to the Emergency Medical System. <b>Methods:</b> A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022. The CMI was established to manage patients referring to the Emergency Medical System. <b>Results:</b> From January to December 2022, a total of 8680 calls were managed by CMI, with an average of 24 calls per day. 6243 patients (71.9%) were managed without ED access of whom 4884 patients (78.2%) were managed through telemedicine evaluation only, and 1359 (21.8%) with telemedicine evaluation and dispatch of the Home Rapid Response Team (HRRT). The population treated by the HRRT exhibited a higher age. The mean satisfaction score was 9.1/10. <b>Conclusions:</b> Telemedicine evaluation allowed for remote assessments, treatment prescriptions, and teleconsultation for HRRT and was associated with high patient satisfaction. This model could be useful in future pandemics for managing patients with non-urgent illnesses at home, preventing hospital admissions for potentially infectious patients, and thereby reducing in-hospital transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286138/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700494","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":"Measuring Health Inequalities Using the Robin Hood Index: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Georgios Farantos, Athanasios Pitis, Maria Diamantopoulou, Fotini Tzavella","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030035","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Although the Robin Hood Index (RHI) is increasingly used to quantify geographic health inequality and guide resource redistribution, empirical evidence on whether higher physician density reduces RHI-measured inequality remains limited. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes RHI-based research to assess the association between physician distribution and health inequalities. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using the RHI to evaluate health inequalities, without restrictions on country or publication date. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024496486), we searched PubMed, Scopus, and OpenGrey literature, extracted data on physician density and RHI outcomes, and conducted a meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs), ln(OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and risk of bias was assessed using the Robvis tool. <b>Results:</b> Seventeen studies covering 720 regions and 1.07 billion individuals were included. Three clusters emerged: physician redistribution (10 studies), poverty-mortality associations (six studies), and systematic reviews (one study). Physician redistribution was strongly associated with increased inequality and policy attention (r = 0.73; <i>p</i> = 0.0038). Meta-analysis of eight redistribution studies yielded a pooled OR of 1.24 (95% CI: 0.54-2.86), consistent in sensitivity analysis (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 0.56-2.89). Poverty-mortality studies also showed a correlation with the number of variables considered (r = 0.59; <i>p</i> = 0.022). <b>Conclusions:</b> A greater physician supply is associated with increased health inequalities, with statistical support but limited certainty. Methodological heterogeneity in RHI-based studies constrains comparability. Standardized methodologies and broader analytic models are needed to inform research and guide health policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700495","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":"Predictors of Recent Alcohol and Substance Use Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Namibia.","authors":"Enos Moyo, Hadrian Mangwana, Endalkachew Melese, Simon Takawira, Bernadette Harases, Rosalia Indongo, Perseverance Moyo, Kopano Robert, Tafadzwa Dzinamarira","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030034","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who engage in alcohol and substance abuse face more significant health and social consequences compared to the general population. This study evaluated the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol abuse and substance use among AGYW in Namibia. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective analysis of programmatic data from AGYW aged 10-24 who participated in the Determined, Resilient, Empowered AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) component of the Reducing HIV Vulnerability: Integrated Child and Youth Health (REACH) Project HOPE Namibia from March to December 2024. Data analysis was conducted employing chi-squared tests alongside binomial and multinomial logistic regression. <b>Results:</b> Among the 19,662 participants included in this analysis, 2068 (10.5%) abused alcohol and/or substances in the previous six months. Participants who were HIV-negative or did not know their status (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI (1.15-2.14), and AOR = 1.50, 95% CI (109-2.07), respectively), from outside Windhoek, those who had failed or repeated school in the previous year (COR = 1.77, 95% CI (1.54-2.05)), those not disabled (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.06-1.52)), those who had dropped out of school or had completed their studies, and those with no adult emotional support (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI (1.11-1.40)), were more likely to have abused alcohol and/or substances recently. In contrast, participants who were not depressed were less likely to have recently abused alcohol and substances. <b>Conclusions:</b> The prioritization of strategies to identify AGYW experiencing depression and to provide them with treatment is essential. Moreover, it is important to encourage parents and guardians to provide emotional support to AGYW, as it prevents them from abusing alcohol and substances.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700496","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":"Systematic Comparison of Different Compartmental Models for Predicting COVID-19 Progression.","authors":"Marwan Shams Eddin, Hussein El Hajj, Ramez Zayyat, Gayeon Lee","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030033","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for accurate predictive models to guide public health interventions and optimize healthcare resource allocation. This study evaluates how the complexity of compartmental infectious disease models influences their forecasting accuracy and utility for pandemic resource planning. <b>Methods</b>: We analyzed a range of compartmental models, including simple susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) models and more complex frameworks incorporating asymptomatic carriers and deaths. These models were calibrated and tested using real-world COVID-19 data from the United States to assess their performance in predicting symptomatic and asymptomatic infection counts, peak infection timing, and resource demands. Both adaptive models (updating parameters with real-time data) and non-adaptive models were evaluated. <b>Results</b>: Numerical results show that while more complex models capture detailed disease dynamics, simpler models often yield better forecast accuracy, especially during early pandemic stages or when predicting peak infection periods. Adaptive models provided the most accurate short-term forecasts but required substantial computational resources, making them less practical for long-term planning. Non-adaptive models produced stable long-term forecasts useful for strategic resource allocation, such as hospital bed and ICU planning. <b>Conclusions</b>: Model selection should align with the pandemic stage and decision-making horizon. Simpler models are effective for rapid early-stage interventions, adaptive models excel in short-term operational forecasting, and non-adaptive models remain valuable for long-term resource planning. These findings can inform policymakers on selecting appropriate modeling approaches to improve pandemic response effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700499","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":"Sociodemographic, Mental, and Lifestyle Correlates of Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Children Aged 6-9 Years: Findings from a Large National Survey in Greece.","authors":"Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou, Konstantinos Papadimitriou, Aikaterini Louka, Sousana K Papadopoulou, Maria Mentzelou, Maria G Grammatikopoulou, Evmorfia Psara, Christos Kontogiorgis, Olga Alexatou, Constantinos Giaginis","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030032","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: The Mediterranean diet (MD) is well-studied for its health-promoting effects, while the factors influencing adherence in children remain an important research focus. This study examines the sociodemographic, maternal, perinatal, and lifestyle determinants associated with MD adherence among children aged 6-9 years in an effort to identify key predictors and their impact on long-term nutritional habits. <b>Methods:</b> This study recruited 4851 children from diverse Greek rural and urban regions. The mothers of the enrolled children completed relevant questionnaires on their children's sociodemographics, perinatal outcomes, anthropometric parameters, breastfeeding practices, and physical activity status. The enrolled children completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-State (STAIC-S) form to assess the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. The KIDMED score was used to assess the MD compliance of the enrolled children. <b>Results:</b> The outcomes demonstrated that higher maternal education and family economic status gravitated toward increased MD adherence (<i>p</i> = 0.0071, <i>p</i> ˂ 0.0001), while exclusive breastfeeding (<i>p</i> ˂ 0.0001) and higher physical activity levels (<i>p</i> = 0.0101) were strong predictive factors for MD adherence, highlighting the role of early-life interventions in shaping dietary habits. In contrast, cesarean delivery (<i>p</i> = 0.0173) and higher birth weight (<i>p</i> ˂ 0.0001) were linked to lower MD adherence, indicating potential metabolic and behavioral predispositions. Notably, higher MD adherence correlated with lower prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms (<i>p</i> ˂ 0.0001, <i>p</i> = 0.0001), underscoring its potential protective role in mental health. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings highlight a complex interplay between early-life and dietary behaviors, while further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and optimize evidence-based nutritional strategies and education for childhood health and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286073/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700498","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":"The Frequent Use of Emergency Departments Among the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Analysis in Rome, Italy.","authors":"Giuseppe Furia, Fabio Ingravalle, Antonio Vinci, Paolo Papini, Andrea Barbara, Patrizia Chierchini, Gianfranco Damiani, Massimo Maurici, Corrado De Vito","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030031","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Inappropriate use of emergency department (ED) services is widely acknowledged to have a negative impact on health systems as a whole. A minor portion of Frequent User (FU) patients are often responsible for the disproportionate use of ED services. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective population study was conducted on the attendances of pediatric EDs from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 at the Roma 1 Local Health Authority in Rome, a territory served by more than 13 EDs. Nested logistic regression analysis was used to investigate patient characteristics in predicting inappropriate use of EDs. <b>Results</b>: In 2022, 35,691 pediatric ED attendances were recorded, with 24,824 patients distributed among 904 PCP/GPs in the six districts. A total of 71.8% of patients had only one attendance in 2022. A total of 3.5% of the patients were FUs, who were responsible for more than 10% of the attendances. However, most of the attendances were not appropriate. FUs, younger age (<2 yo), and more severe clinical presentations were more likely to be associated with appropriate ED attendance. PCPs/GPs and districts do not have a role in determining a higher number of ED attendances. The single patient's characteristics have a greater influence on this phenomenon. <b>Conclusions</b>: Frequent use of the ED is not associated with inappropriate use among children, mainly due to the characteristics and needs of specific patients. However, parents' education for a more rational use of health system resources and the provision of local solutions to children's health needs may allow for a more appropriate use of health service resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286247/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700500","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":"Herd Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Among the Armenian Population in the Second Half of 2022.","authors":"Anna Yuryevna Popova, Vyacheslav Sergeevich Smirnov, Svetlana Alexandrovna Egorova, Gayane Gurgenovna Melik-Andreasyan, Stepan Armenovich Atoyan, Angelika Marsovna Milichkina, Irina Viktorovna Drozd, Gennady Hovsepovich Palozyan, Valery Andreevich Ivanov, Edward Smith Ramsay, Oyuna Bayarovna Zhimbayeva, Ara Shaenovich Keshishyan, Olga Alexandrovna Petrova, Alexandra Valerievna Gubanova, Alexandra Petrovna Razumovskaya, Anaida Vasilevna Tsakanyan, Armine Varshamovna Margaryan, Tatevik Surenovna Khachatryan, Areg Artemovich Totolian","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030029","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aim.</b> This study aimed to assess the SARS-CoV-2 herd immunity in the Republic of Armenia (RA) by late 2022. <b>Materials and Methods.</b> A randomized study was conducted from 28 November to 2 December (2022) by the Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute (Russia) in collaboration with the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Armenia). This study was approved by the ethics committees at both organizations. A volunteer cohort (N = 2974) was formed and grouped by participant age, region, or activity. Antibodies (Abs) to viral nucleocapsid antigen (Nc) and receptor-binding domain (RBD) in plasma were determined by ELISA. The statistical significance of differences was calculated using a <i>p</i> < 0.05 threshold, unless noted. <b>Results.</b> At the end of 2022, estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (Nc and/or RBD Abs) among the Armenian population was 99% (95%CI: 98.5-99.3). It was evenly distributed throughout the cohort without any significant differences by age, region, or activity. Volunteers with low (32-124 BAU/mL) or medium (125-332 BAU/mL) anti-Nc Ab levels prevailed: 32.4% (95%CI: 30.7-34.1) and 25.5% (95% CI: 24.0-27.1), respectively. Regarding anti-RBD Abs, maximum levels (>450 BAU/mL) were detected in 40% of children. The share of individuals with high anti-RBD Abs levels increased with age, reaching 65% among those aged 70⁺ years. The important contribution to the formation of herd immunity to coronavirus infection was made by vaccination in the preceding period (1 April 2021 to 1 May 2022). The contribution from individuals with post-vaccination immunity was estimated to be above 80%. Hybrid immunity, formed after vaccination of those who had earlier experienced COVID-19, was characterized by greater effectiveness than post-vaccination immunity alone. <b>Conclusions.</b> Within the context of mass prophylactic vaccination, effective herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 was formed, which helped to stop epidemic spread in the Republic.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12468988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152111","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":"Psychological Burden and Coping Strategies Among Pakistani Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.","authors":"Madeeha Malik, Humaira Rehman, Azhar Hussain, Ayisha Hashmi, Khalid Ahmad Al-Sunaidar, Georgina Balogh, Márió Gajdács, Shazia Jamshed","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030030","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6030030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Mental health conditions represent a growing global health concern, disproportionately impacting populations in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Limited epidemiological data, coupled with recent socioeconomic and environmental disruptions, has intensified the need for current insights into psychological burden and coping capacities in the Pakistani population. <b>Methods</b>: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to May 2023 among 400 community-dwelling adults attending outpatient departments in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A structured 75-item questionnaire incorporating validated tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, WHO-5, CSES, and SRQ-20) was used to assess depression, anxiety, well-being, coping self-efficacy, and mental distress. Descriptive statistics, χ² and Fisher's exact tests, and Spearman's rank correlation (r_s) analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 22.0. <b>Results</b>: Most respondents were male (73.0%), aged 25-34 (60.0%), and urban-dwelling (80.0%). Clinically relevant depression and anxiety were observed in 57.0% and 19.5% of participants, respectively; 38.0% reported mental distress. Conversely, 76.5% demonstrated fair-to-good coping efficacy and 51.0% had high well-being scores. Younger age (≤34 years), higher income, urban residence, and male gender were associated with significantly better mental health outcomes. Strong positive correlation was found between PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores (r_s = 0.672), and moderate negative correlations were found between GAD-7 and WHO-5 (r_s = -0.496), and PHQ-9 and WHO-5 (r_s = -0.310). <b>Conclusions</b>: Our findings highlight the significant psychological burden among urban Pakistani adults, alongside promising levels of resilience and coping self-efficacy. These results emphasize the urgent need for early, culturally adapted mental health screening and intervention programs in outpatient settings. Integrating such strategies into primary care, particularly for vulnerable subgroups like women, older adults, and those with lower income could facilitate timely diagnosis, improve outcomes, and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12468578/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152098","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":"Proportional Stroke Mortality in Espírito Santo, Brazil: A 20-Year Joinpoint Regression Study.","authors":"Casanova André Motopa Mpuhua, Orivaldo Florencio de Souza, Blanca Elena Guerrero Daboin, Italla Maria Pinheiro Bezerra, Marcelino Na Blei, Thiago Dias Sarti, Vithor Ely Bortolin da Silva, Luiz Carlos de Abreu","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6020028","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6020028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In Brazil, it remains the primary cause of mortality among adults. Although overall stroke mortality rates have declined, the absolute number of stroke incidents, deaths, and years of life loss continues to rise, particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries. <b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to analyze trends in stroke mortality across different age groups and both sexes in Espírito Santo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2021. <b>Methods:</b> This ecological time series study utilized secondary data from Espírito Santo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2021. Mortality data, categorized by sex and age group, were obtained from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) database. Stroke-related mortality included deaths recorded under the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes for subarachnoid hemorrhage (I60), intracerebral hemorrhage (I61), cerebral infarction (I63), and stroke not specified as hemorrhagic or ischemic (I64). Temporal trends in stroke mortality were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis. <b>Results:</b> From 2000 to 2021, there was a significant reduction in proportional mortality from stroke, with an overall decrease of -3.7% (<i>p</i> < 0.001). When analyzed by sex, the decline was -3.0% (<i>p</i> < 0.001) for males and -3.9% (<i>p</i> < 0.001) for females. The most significant decrease in proportional mortality was observed in the 50 to 59 age group, with an average annual percentage change of -4.9% (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The 30 to 39 age group exhibited the smallest decline, with an average annual percentage change of -2.4% (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant segments were observed in the 40 to 49, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 age groups during the study period. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study identified a notable decline in stroke-related proportional mortality in the adult population of Espírito Santo between 2000 and 2021. While males had a higher absolute number of deaths, females exhibited a higher proportional mortality rate, underscoring the need for targeted preventive measures and effective acute stroke treatment, particularly among men.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192260/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144487362","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":"Navigating Vaccine Misinformation: Assessing Newly Licensed Physicians' Ability to Distinguish Facts from Fake News.","authors":"Elena Maria Ticozzi, Giovanni Gaetti, Luca Gambolò, Dario Bottignole, Pasquale Di Fronzo, Daniele Solla, Giuseppe Stirparo","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia6020027","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia6020027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Newly licensed physicians play a significant role in healthcare systems. However, they often lack knowledge about vaccine practices. This study aims to evaluate their ability to distinguish between fake news and the actual side effects of vaccines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We distributed a questionnaire to assess newly licensed physicians' knowledge of side effects of vaccines and widespread fake news about them. We enrolled 317 newly licensed Italian physicians.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average questionnaire score was 6.21/10 (SD = ±1.25). Work experience and age did not correlate with scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Many participants were not able to distinguish between fake news and real vaccines' side effects (e.g., the possible association between varicella vaccine and seizures). Furthermore, many physicians have been shown to believe in fake news. This lack of knowledge could lead to the inability to scientifically respond to anti-vaccinationists, thus increasing mistrust in medical counseling. Addressing knowledge gaps among recently licensed physicians is crucial to improving proper counseling and increasing public adherence to vaccination campaigns.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"6 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191436/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144487361","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}