Giuseppina Federici, Nicole Zulian, Erica Bino, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Alberto Lovat, Angela Padoin, Alessandro Citiulo, Giovanni Andrea Sava, Sandro Cinquetti
{"title":"Nutritional Project in School Setting: Analysis of Food Choices following Actions performed by Healthcare Workers.","authors":"Giuseppina Federici, Nicole Zulian, Erica Bino, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Alberto Lovat, Angela Padoin, Alessandro Citiulo, Giovanni Andrea Sava, Sandro Cinquetti","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2667","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2667","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Schools continue to represent one of the main settings that guarantee health promotion interventions, as it has been widely demonstrated in numerous fields that diet and eating habits are shaped in the early stages of life and maintained into adulthood. Through the food education promotion project, \"Healthy Snack\", implemented by the Prevention Department of the Local Health Authority ULSS 1 Dolomiti, the interventions carried out by healthcare workers have been evaluated over time to measure their effectiveness in terms of changes in eating habits considered incorrect, with a particular focus on snacks eaten at school.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"400-402"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142738141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Virginia Gulino, Beatrice Ricci, Stanislav Russo, Marco Nigro, Edoardo Gallerani, Elena Lombardo, Peter Berger, Anselmo Campagna, Matteo Buccioli
{"title":"How's your waiting list?","authors":"Virginia Gulino, Beatrice Ricci, Stanislav Russo, Marco Nigro, Edoardo Gallerani, Elena Lombardo, Peter Berger, Anselmo Campagna, Matteo Buccioli","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Surgical waiting lists pose a major challenge for public healthcare systems, affecting access to care and the perceived quality of services. However, there is no standardized method for assessing the efficiency and management of waiting lists.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>This study proposes a model based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the Waiting List sustainability of surgical waiting lists, evaluating their balance, attractiveness, efficiency, and timeliness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three main KPIs were defined and applied to both hypothetical and real datasets, analyzing data collected at the IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli from January 2024 to September 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using Excel, calculating ratios between enrolled, admitted, canceled, and overdue patients on the waiting list.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis showed that some hospital departments have a balanced management of waiting lists, while others exhibit critical issues, with high rates of overdue or canceled patients. The graphical representation of the indicators helped identify areas for improvement in resource management.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The adoption of standardized KPIs could serve as a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing waiting lists, supporting strategic decisions to enhance access to healthcare services.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monali Bhattacharya, Varalakshmi Chandrasekaran, Praveen Arhanthabailu, Lena Ashok
{"title":"Probing the dual burden: assessing psychological distress and substance use among female sex workers in Sonagachi, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.","authors":"Monali Bhattacharya, Varalakshmi Chandrasekaran, Praveen Arhanthabailu, Lena Ashok","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Psychological distress and substance use is a global public health problem. Understanding the mental distress and substance use regarding female sex workers is crucial which is noticeably lacking in India. The authors of this study investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and substance use among female sex workers in Sonagachi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using convenience sampling 149 participants were invited to participate. Tools included socio-demographic proforma, alcohol use disorder identification test to assess the risk of alcohol consumption and patient health questionnaire used to assess anxiety and depression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 52.4% reported psychological distress and 66.1% of participants were found to use substances. The factors associated with psychological distress are marital status, education level and number of children. Education, sex under the influence of substances, and number of years working predicted a higher likelihood of substance use such as tobacco, cannabis and alcohol. Additionally, psychological distress was more significant among women who were married, worked for more than 5 years, were forced to enter the sex trade and used condoms inconsistently.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Education, sex under the influence of alcohol, number of years working, marital status, age of working, reason for sex work and condom use emerged as significant predictors of use of tobacco and cannabis, risk of alcohol consumption and psychological distress.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143967288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mario Cesare Nurchis, Maria Michela Gianino, Marcello Di Pumpo, Vittorio De Vita, Antonio Moffa, Lucrezia Giorgi, Lorenzo Sabatino, Lorenzo Sommella, Manuele Casale, Gianfranco Damiani
{"title":"Disposable sheaths use versus instruments reprocessing for nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in ENT-clinic: a cost-minimization analysis.","authors":"Mario Cesare Nurchis, Maria Michela Gianino, Marcello Di Pumpo, Vittorio De Vita, Antonio Moffa, Lucrezia Giorgi, Lorenzo Sabatino, Lorenzo Sommella, Manuele Casale, Gianfranco Damiani","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2692","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2692","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nasopharyngolaryngoscopes reprocessing is often suboptimal and breaches in reprocessing protocols are commonly reported. Single-use sheaths help in reducing endoscope contamination. The aim of the study is to compare costs related to disposable instruments reprocessing and the single-use sheaths alternative.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>A cost-minimization analysis to compare fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy instruments reprocessing with disposable sheaths use was performed through the micro-costing approach with data from teaching hospital and costs in euros referred to 2022, following the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the base-case scenario, using disposable sheaths costs € 2,600 less than using cleaning and sterilization procedures. The analysis of direct medical costs, which included personnel, equipment and operating costs, and consumables, revealed higher costs related to personnel for the cleaning and sterilization alternative. Sensitivity analysis further supported the robustness of the cost-saving findings, with variations in disposable sheaths cost and sterilization kits demonstrating significant impacts on the cost difference between the two alternatives.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Based on the study findings, this economic analysis shows that using disposable sheaths covering nasopharyngolaryngoscopes is an appropriate cost-saving strategy. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to confirm these encouraging results.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143954499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlo Signorelli, Lorenzo Blandi, Rita Cuciniello, Rosaria Calabretta, Fabrizio Pregliasco, Anna Odone, Umberto Gelatti, Silvana Castaldi, Gabriele Pelissero
{"title":"The New Guarantee System for Monitoring Healthcare Services Delivery in Italy: technical remarks and recommendations.","authors":"Carlo Signorelli, Lorenzo Blandi, Rita Cuciniello, Rosaria Calabretta, Fabrizio Pregliasco, Anna Odone, Umberto Gelatti, Silvana Castaldi, Gabriele Pelissero","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2703","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2703","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Over the past 15 years, Italy's National Health Service has been the object of increased governmental attention, due to the need to control public spending, reduce waste, and maintain acceptable levels of quality, accessibility and appropriateness of healthcare services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One of the key mechanisms to achieve this has been the implementation of performance assessment systems. Among these is the New Guarantee System, introduced in 2019, which utilizes 88 indicators across three key macro-areas - public health and prevention, primary health care, and hospital care - to assess the quality and equity of essential healthcare services.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This paper critically analyzes the 2025 New Guarantee System report, identifying strengths, limitations, and potential improvements for a more effective monitoring system. The findings reveal significant gaps in the current healthcare performance evaluation system. The reliance on descriptive statistics limits the ability to interpret healthcare outcomes accurately. The absence of indicators addressing chronic diseases, health inequalities, new technologies and qualitative patient experiences suggests the urgent need of a more comprehensive evaluation approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To improve the healthcare performance evaluation system, it is recommended to incorporate more comprehensive indicators that address the identified gaps. Enhanced data integration, qualitative assessments, and an increased focus on chronic diseases and health disparities are essential to provide a more accurate evaluation of healthcare services.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lorena Squillace, Lorenzo Pizzi, Angela Chiereghin, Carmen Bazzani, Gianni Saguatti, Alfredo Tafà, Lorenzo Roti, Francesca Mezzetti
{"title":"Examining the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and recall rates in breast screening.","authors":"Lorena Squillace, Lorenzo Pizzi, Angela Chiereghin, Carmen Bazzani, Gianni Saguatti, Alfredo Tafà, Lorenzo Roti, Francesca Mezzetti","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2699","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2699","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>It has been observed that women vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may show axillary lymphadenopathy at screening mammogram, which may become suspicious for malignancy, leading to an increased recall rate for further diagnostic evaluations and a higher number of false-positive results, as well as considerable emotional distress for the women involved.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>The study aimed to assess the incidence of doubt/positive results in the 1st level mammogram among women who received a COVID-19 vaccine within 4 weeks before mammogram, compared to unvaccinated women. Further aims included the analysis of the distribution of doubt/positive 1st level screening mammogram results according to different women-related and diagnostic work-up-related characteristics, and the evaluation of the incidence of false-positive results observed at the 2nd level.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cohort study was carried out by retrospectively reviewing electronic data records related to the breast screening program of the Local Health Authority of Bologna in 2021 concerning women between 45 and 74 years old. Excluded were the women outside the age range, with prior breast cancer history, or receiving COVID-19 vaccination more than 4 weeks before the mammogram.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 43,856 (mean age 56.6 ± 8.7) women met the study's inclusion criteria. Among all enrolled women, the recall rate was 5.5% (N=2,394). There were no statistically significant differences in doubt/positive results between vaccinated within 4 weeks before the mammogram and unvaccinated women (5.5% versus 5.4%, p=0.649). However, those who received the Pfizer vaccine showed a significantly higher rate of doubt/positive results.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Healthcare professionals' awareness of vaccine records and educating patients about rare adverse effects can help prevent unnecessary biopsies, interventions, and changes in patient management. Further research is needed to confirm our findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143966531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberta Buongiovanni, Maria Teresa Pisano, Federico Rossi, Federica Maria Agata Spagnolo, Denny Locorriere, Chiara Lorini, Marco Del Riccio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
{"title":"Insect-based novel food: is Italy ready for the food of the future? A survey on entomophagy among Italian people.","authors":"Roberta Buongiovanni, Maria Teresa Pisano, Federico Rossi, Federica Maria Agata Spagnolo, Denny Locorriere, Chiara Lorini, Marco Del Riccio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2700","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), novel food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before May 15th 1997, when the first regulation of novel food came into force. This study investigates the consumption of insect-based novel food in Italy, where cultural aversions and particular disgust are major barriers to acceptance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a three-sections questionnaire shared through social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). The questionnaire explored socio-demographic characteristics, prior knowledge of novel food, willingness to consume insect-based food, and the impact of packaging on consumer choices. Frequencies for different items were calculated and reported in tables and charts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample showed that the majority of respondents were female (56.3%) and aged 26-35 years (24.8%). Most participants were from Southern Italy (61.8%) and had a high school diploma (45.6%). However, the majority of novel food consumers appears to be male, less than 35 years-old and born in Northern Italy. Disgust is the main obstacle towards the consumption of insects (n=261, 78.4%) while, conversely, curiosity was also significant (72.9%). Packaging had a considerable influence on consumer choices: 74.1% were willing to try chips made from cricket flour, while only 15.0% were willing to try whole insects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite strong cultural barriers, strategies such as improved information and appealing packaging could increase acceptance of insect-based foods in Italy, particularly among younger, educated consumers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143953566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Teresa Colacci, Francesca Bonavoglia, Francesca Dibattista, Vincenza Gargaro, Sofia Taborri, Giuseppe La Torre
{"title":"Action Maze and Role Playing in comparison: A Randomized Field Trial on simulation-based teaching methodologies in critical care.","authors":"Teresa Colacci, Francesca Bonavoglia, Francesca Dibattista, Vincenza Gargaro, Sofia Taborri, Giuseppe La Torre","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2698","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2698","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The training of healthcare professionals requires continuous innovation in teaching methodologies to foster the development of professional skills. The use of simulation in critical care is a proven effective technique, allowing students to acquire and consolidate the necessary knowledge to plan and implement nursing care in clinical practice. Interactive teaching strategies aim to increase student engagement and motivation in order to improve the learning process, decision-making, and critical thinking. New technologies that leverage gamification provide further advancements in interactive learning and represent a valuable and promising tool for training in various healthcare contexts. This study aims to analyze and compare two simulated teaching methodologies, Role Playing and Action Maze, and assess their effectiveness in terms of the acquisition of specific knowledge in the critical care field and the level of satisfaction among nursing students.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A Randomized Field Trial was conducted. A total of 130 third-year nursing students from the Sapienza University of Rome were enrolled in the study, with 60 students from course D and 70 students from course X. An initial lecture was given on nursing care for critical patients. At the end of the lecture, a custom-designed questionnaire was administered to evaluate the knowledge acquired. The students were then randomly allocated into two groups: one group was assigned to Role Playing, and the other to Action Maze. At the end of the two simulated teaching activities, the questionnaire was administered again to assess changing in knowledge. Additionally, two validated scales, the Educational Practice Questionnaire Student Version and the Simulation Design Scale Student Version, were administered to assess student satisfaction and perception regarding the simulation techniques performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Z=-2.1 and p=0.03, performed on the correct post-intervention responses, was significant with a p-value of <0.05 for the Action Maze group compared to the Role Playing group. The Simulation Design Scale Student Version scale showed a p-value of <0.05 for both the \"teaching methodology\" and \"importance of elements\" sections. The Educational Practice Questionnaire Student Version scale showed a p-value of 0.076 for the evaluation of the \"importance of elements\" section.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of the study indicated that the Action Maze simulation teaching methodology was more effective, both in terms of knowledge acquisition and student satisfaction, compared to the Role Playing methodology. Further comparative studies are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the Action Maze compared to other simulated teaching methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143952513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the depths: correlates of depression among seafarers in Mumbai, India.","authors":"Anusooya Krishnan, Kumar Sumit, Varalakshmi Chandra Sekaran","doi":"10.7416/ai.2025.2690","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2025.2690","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Seafarers experience unique challenges related to their profession, including risks for mental health. The present study explored the correlates of depression among seafarers in India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following ethics clearance, this cross-sectional study was conducted at an international shipping company in Mumbai, India. Using time-bound convenience sampling, 105 multi-state seafarers were recruited following verbal consent. The Beck Depression Inventory and Work-Related Quality of Life scale were used to screen for the study outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi 2.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations, and logistic regression was performed to identify correlates of depression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 105 seafarers, the majority (98.1%) were male, most were married (80%), and were aged between 18-35 years (56.2%). About 42.9% had an income of INR 3 lakh (≈$3604) and above monthly. An overwhelming majority had mild mood disturbances, which was found among 90.5% and 8.6% reported depression. Seafarers who engaged in regular physical activity and had higher monthly incomes had higher Work-Related Quality of Life. A significant association was found between depression and isolation (p=0.031) as well as with Work-Related Quality of Life (p=0.012). On logistic regression, we found that the number of hours of work per day, experiencing isolation and Work-Related Quality of Life, significantly predicted depression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The existing burden and treatment gap for mental health morbidity among seafarers needs to be addressed. To address early indications of mental health conditions among seafarers, implementing mental health screening and offering counseling services on board may be the way forward.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Firearm ownership and suicide: Has the time come to discuss uniformity of health and social assessments in aid of regulation? Reflection from a retrospective study on a forensic case series.","authors":"Alberto Blandino, Nicola Galante, Fabio Cuppone, Maddalena Giriodi, Guido Vittorio Travaini","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2648","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Firearm-related deaths are an issue of ongoing public interest, from a health and economic perspective. Worldwide, firearm prevalence in suicides varies widely, depending on multiple factors including the availability of weapons in each country. Although several studies have shown that national laws about gun ownership, reducing legal access to guns, decrease the risk of suicide by firearm, the current situation clashes with widely differing legislations.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Retrospective study on a forensic case series.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Autopsy reports assessed at the Section of Legal Medicine of Milan (Italy) from January 2014 to December 2023 were retrospectively documented. Only firearm suicides were considered. For each case, a close analysis of the criminal offence reports has been performed to obtain information about the gender and age of the victim, as well as the legal possession of firearms, psychiatric disorders, alcohol, and illicit drug abuse.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among all the 1,164 suicides assessed at the Section of Legal Medicine of Milan over a 10-year-period, 101 cases (8.7%) were firearm-related. The male to female ratio was therefore about 13:1. No seasonal trends were observed. Most of the individuals owned the firearm license. Of the entire dataset, 35.6% suffered from psychiatric disorders, 4% of alcohol abuse and 2% of drug addiction. Among the owners of a firearm license, 42.3% had psychiatric disorders.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Knowledge about firearm suicide and its relation to firearm legal possession is limited and current preventive laws should be reconsidered. Present administrative and clinical examinations required to obtain a firearm license in Italy and in some European territories are dealt with. The evaluation of the firearm-related risk of abuse is an essential but complex procedure, which requires not only clinic-anamnestic data but also in-deep psychiatric information. There is a need to develop and reinvigorate a debate that currently presents very heterogeneous solutions, but which would probably benefit from a common vision of the prevention strategies that can be implemented and enacted for the benefit of the entire community.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"215-224"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141747281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}