Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita最新文献

{"title":"Anti-rubella seroprevalence assessment in an adult sample population in Italy.","authors":"Angela Bechini, Beatrice Zanella, Benedetta Bonito, Marta Betti, Enrica Stancanelli, Marco Del Riccio, Cristina Salvati, Paolo Bonanni, Jacopo Bianchi, Ilaria Biondi, Martina Chellini, Maddalena Innocenti, Federico Manzi, Diana Paolini, Gino Sartor, Lorenzo Baggiani, Simona Baretti, Monica Della Fonte, Giorgio Garofalo, Giovanna Mereu, Maria Grazia Santini, Sara Boccalini","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2632","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2632","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite global immunization efforts, rubella remains a public health concern, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. This study focused on rubella seroprevalence in the province of Florence, Italy, aiming to identify susceptibility clusters, especially among women in their childbearing age.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019, enrolling 430 adult subjects (age over 18 years). Serum samples were collected, and anti-rubella antibodies were quantified using the ELISA test. Data were analyzed descriptively and compared by sex, nationality, and age groups using statistical tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall rubella seroprevalence was high (92.3%), with no significant differences between genders or nationalities. Among childbearing-age females (18-49 years), the highest seroprevalence was observed in the 30-39 age group (94.1%). However, susceptibility clusters exceeding the 5% threshold set by WHO were identified, especially in females aged 40-49 years (7.0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite high overall seroprevalence, the study identified pockets of susceptibility, even in childbearing age women. Continuous monitoring, targeted immunization strategies, and public health interventions are recommended to maintain rubella elimination, emphasizing the importance of sustained vaccination efforts to protect vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"660-667"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875696","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":"Mpox: Awareness, knowledge and information channels used by individuals accessing a sexually transmitted infections Helpline.","authors":"Pietro Gallo, Norman Galea, Anna Colucci, Rudi Valli, Matteo Schwarz, Emanuele Fanales Belasio, Alfredo d'Ari, Francesca Furiozzi, Anna Caraglia, Rosa Dalla Torre, Anna D'Agostini","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2637","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2637","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Up until recently, monkeypox (mpox) was considered to be a rare zoonotic infection restricted to Central and West Africa. However, in July 2022, the World Health Organization declared mpox to be a public health emergency of international concern, after there were several outbreaks in non-endemic countries. This study assessed the information channels used by individuals accessing the \"Telefono Verde AIDS e Infezioni Sessualmente Trasmesse\" of Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health in Italy) with regard to mpox. We also evaluated their awareness, and knowledge about mpox focusing on transmission and prevention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross-sectional study conducted on \"Telefono Verde AIDS e Infezioni Sessualmente Trasmesse\" users, between January and April 2023. The target population was helpline users who were older than 18 years of age, and were phoning the service for the first time (i.e. who have not phoned in the last 12 months). Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire containing 19 questions filled by the interviewer. Collected data were analysed through descriptive statistics, and significance testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From January to April 2023, \"Telefono Verde AIDS e Infezioni Sessualmente Trasmesse\" received 2,389 phone calls, 216 of which participated in this study. Most of these were male (85.2%; n=186), single (79.2%; n=171) and in employment (72.2%; n=156). Awareness about mpox was high (71.3%; n=154), with the central and south/islands regional areas having the highest percentage of participants who heard about the virus (84.3%; n=43 vs 72.4%; n=42; p=0.078). Television was the most frequently mentioned source of information about mpox by participants (63%; n=97; p<0.001). This medium was also the most preferred source of information about mpox (39%; n=60; p=0.109). The majority of participants stated that they did not know what mpox is (67.6%; n=146), and less than half knew that it is preventable (42.4%; n=89). Of those who stated that mpox is a preventable illness, less than half knew about the existence of a vaccine (44.9%; n=40; p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides insights into the awareness, knowledge, prevention tools and information channels of individuals who contacted the \"Telefono Verde AIDS e Infezioni Sessualmente Trasmesse\". Useful indications for defining future information campaigns were obtained.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"626-635"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141154338","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":"The origins of the modern hygiene in Bari: In memory of Enea Grosso.","authors":"Giacomo Riformato, Chiara Noviello, Eustachio Cuscianna, Giovanna Barbuti, Silvio Tafuri","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2653","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2024.2653","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Professor Enea Grosso, a distinguished Italian scholar in Public Health, made significant contributions during his tenure at the University of Milan, Camerino and in particular Bari, expanding the discipline's research horizons. Born in Milan in 1922, Grosso's career included collaborations with renowned scientists like Albert Sabin. Notable achievements include his innovative response to the 1973 cholera epidemic in Apulia and his promotion of mathematical models in epidemiology. Grosso passed away unexpectedly in 1984, leaving a lasting impact on the scientific community.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142306985","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":"Screening for colorectal cancer by full colonoscopy in first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients: a multicentric study by the Italian League for the Fight against Cancer.","authors":"Giacomo Diedenhofen, Augusto Morgia, Nicola Sinnona, Alberto Pacchiarotti, Anna Fiaschetti, Vito Forte, Mauro Tosoni, Fabrizio Liberati, Sandro Boschetto, Enrico Zepponi, Pietro Marogna, Alessandra Manca, Marco Bisail, Annarita Vestri, Alessandro Rossi","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2618","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2618","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Colorectal cancer currently presents the third-highest incidence of cancers worldwide, making secondary prevention through screening programs for colorectal cancer, usually by Fecal Occult Blood Testing, an essential preventive medicine intervention. First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients are a particularly at-risk group, with indications to consider direct screening by full colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing colorectal cancer, as it has high sensitivity and specificity, and is both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, it requires significant organizational and financial resources, and has a small but relatively higher risk of complications as opposed to fecal occult blood testing. The present study aimed to assess the appropriateness of a screening program without age restrictions of CRC by full colonoscopy in asymptomatic, first-degree adult relatives of patients with colorectal cancer, aiming both to actively increase screening coverage and to determine the detection rate of precancerous lesions and colorectal cancer in this population.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study design: &lt;/strong&gt;Uncontrolled interventional study - colorectal cancer screening by full colonoscopy for at-risk population.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The Italian League for the Fight against Cancer started a colorectal cancer screening program by full colonoscopy for first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients in 1998 in the province of Latina, Lazio Region, Italy. The program was expanded to the provinces of Rieti, Lazio Region, and Sassari, Sardinia Region, in 2014 and 2016 respectively, and was concluded in 2018. Subjects were actively and voluntarily recruited by the study's working group. Subjects that had already been subjected to a full colonoscopy in the preceding 5 years were excluded from this study. Identified neoplastic lesions were treated either directly or referred to the Day Hospital setting, and histologically diagnosed following World Health Organization guidelines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In total, 2,288 subjects (age range 15-88, mean 52.3 yrs, M/F = 946/1,204) were screened by colonoscopy, of which 103 (4.5%) were incomplete and 2,173 (95.0%) complete, with data on colonoscopy performance missing for 12 participants. Out of 468 positive outcomes on colonoscopy, diagnosis for 422 (204M/173F), 19.4% of total subjects, was adenomatous polyps and 46 (20M/20F), 2.1% of total subjects, was colorectal cancer. Female sex was a protective factor against a positive test outcome, with a 35% reduction compared to male sex, with OR=0.64 95%CI (0.52-0.80). On the other hand, being over 50 years of age was found to be a risk factor, making a positive outcome more than twice as likely, with OR=2.3 95%CI (1.8-2.9). Subjects over 50 also had significantly more instances of multiple adenomas being found, however the size distribution of found adenomas was not significantly diff","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"537-548"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140093363","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":"Low-intensity rehabilitation in persistent post COVID-19 dyspnoea: the value of Spa health resort as appropriate setting.","authors":"Emanuela Resta, Carla Maria Irene Quarato, Giulia Scioscia, Eustachio Cuscianna, Pasquale Tondo, Giuseppe Mansueto, Ernesto Lulaj, Simone Sorangelo, Onofrio Resta, Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro, Silvio Tafuri, Donato Lacedonia","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2617","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2617","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Post COVID-19 syndrome is a frequent disabling outcome, leading to a delay in social reintegration and return to working life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study design: &lt;/strong&gt;This was a prospective observational cohort study. The main objective was to explore the effectiveness of a Spa rehabilitation treatment on the improvement of post COVID-19 dyspnoea and fatigue, also analyzing the relationship between such symptoms. Additionally, it was assessed if different clinical characteristics could predispose patients in experiencing post COVID-19 symptoms or could influence the effectiveness of a Spa intervention.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;From July to November 2021, 187 post COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. All the patients complained persi-sting dyspnoea, whose impact on daily activities was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale. 144 patients (77.0%) reported also fatigue. The Spa treatment was started at least 3 months after COVID-19 acute phase. At the end of the treatment, patients were asked to rate the improvement in the dyspnoea and fatigue sensation. 118 patients also underwent the modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale for severity estimation of Exertion Dyspnoea and the Barthel index for severity estimation of Physical Limitation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;165 out of 187 patients (88.2%) reported an improvement in dyspnoea, while 116 out 144 patients (80.6%) reported an improvement in both dyspnoea and fatigue. On a total of 118 subjects, a clinically significant improvement in the modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale (i.e. Delta Borg equal or more than -2.0 points) was reached by the 50.8% of patients, while a clinically significant improvement in the Barthel index (i.e. Delta Barthel equal or more than +10.0 points) was reached by the 51.7% of them. The 31.4% of patients reached a minimal clinically important improvement in both the modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale and the Barthel index. No risk factors were associated to a clinically impacting dyspnoea at entry, while a BMI&gt;30 Kg/m2 was the main risk factor for chronic fatigue. Presence of respiratory comorbidities, obesity and severe acute COVID-19 (phenotype 4) configured risk factors for the lack of improvement of dyspnoea after the treatment, while no risk factors were associated to a lack of improvement for fatigue. Older age, obesity and comorbidities seemed to make more difficult to reach a clinically meaningful improvement in the modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale and the Barthel index after treatment. Female gender may imply more physical limitation at entry, while male patients seem to show less improvement in the Barthel index after treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Dyspnoea and fatigue were confirmed to be important post COVID-19 symptoms even in younger subjects of wor-king age and subjects with absent or modest pulmonary alterations at distance from acute COVID-19. A Spa health resort seems to be an effective \"lo","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"597-613"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140020793","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":"Decade-long insights: tracking asbestos-related health impacts among formerly exposed workers in Palermo, Italy.","authors":"Claudio Costantino, Caterina Ledda, Matteo Riccò, Eduardo Costagliola, Francesco Balsamo, Miriam Belluzzo, Nicole Bonaccorso, Alessandro Carubia, Luciano D'Azzo, Martina Sciortino, Tania Vitello, Luigi Zagra, Santo Fruscione, Sara Ilardo, Elisa Trapani, Giuseppe Calamusa, Venerando Rapisarda, Walter Mazzucco","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2619","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Asbestos is a foremost occupational carcinogen globally. Despite the prohibition under Law 257/1992, Italy persists as one of the European nations most burdened by asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). This research assessed ARD cases in asbestos-exposed workers from the Province of Palermo, Italy, spanning 2010-2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data acquisition utilized the epidemiological dataset from the 'Service of Prevention and Safety on Work Environment' under the Prevention Department of Palermo's Local Health Authority (LHA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 2010 and 2021, we identified 245 ARD instances, comprising 163 Asbestosis/Pleural plaques, 41 Lung Cancers, 38 Mesotheliomas, and 3 unspecified cases. Multivariate analysis indicated a notable decline in temporal exposure for mesothelioma (HR=0.933; 95% CI=0.902-0.965) and lung cancer (HR=0.93; 95% CI=0.90-0.978) relative to pleural plaques/asbestosis. Tobacco use displayed a pronounced correlation with lung cancer (smoker HR=64.520 95% CI=13,075-318.390; former smoker HR=20.917 95% CI=4,913-89.048). A significant link was observed between mesothelioma and pleural plaques/asbestosis in those employed in shipbuilding and repair (HR=0.371 95% CI=0.155-0.892).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ARDs persist in clinical observations, even following the 1992 cessation of asbestos-related activities, emphasizing an enduring public health challenge. Enhancing prevention strategies is paramount, focusing on amplifying anamnestic and occupational data collection, thereby facilitating superior early diagnosis strategies for these maladies in the occupationally exposed cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"525-536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140093362","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":"Infectious risk profile and strategies for prevention and control of outbreaks in refugee, asylum seekers and migrant populations in EU/EEA countries: a systematic narrative review of evidence.","authors":"Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Daniel Fiacchini, Emanuela Maria Frisicale, Renata Gili, Stefano Greco, Stefano Guicciardi, Matteo Riccò, Salvatore Zichichi, Nunzio Zotti, Silvio Tafuri","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2610","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2610","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The recent surge in migration to and within the European Union and European Economic Area has brought the development of migration policy, including health policy, to the forefront of regional priorities. While migrants, in general, do not pose a health threat to the host population, specific subgroups of migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and irregular migrants, are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. To support public health policies in this area, the Emergency Preparedness and Management' working group of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health has conducted a systematic narrative review with the aim to comprehensively analyze the infectious disease risk within the refugee and asylum seeker populations in EU, EEA, and EU-applicant countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-two studies were systematically selected from scientific articles in the MEDLINE/PubMed database from January 1, 2008, to June 1, 2023. The infectious risk associated with each infectious disease among refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the strategies to prevent and control outbreaks, was collected from all available studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The congregate living conditions in refugee camps, transit centers, and temporary housing facilities make this population particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. As such, implementing stringent hygiene and preventive measures is critical to safeguarding the health of refugees and reducing the risk of outbreaks that may affect both the refugee population and the host communities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Effective vaccination and preventive strategies for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are vital for public health and the well-being of these populations. They should be delivered as part of universal health care. By addressing barriers and implementing tailored programs, we can ensure equitable access to vaccines and protect the health of these vulnerable individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"549-568"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140020791","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":"Vaccine hesitancy in South Tyrol: a narrative review of insights and strategies for public health improvement.","authors":"Christian J Wiedermann, Verena Barbieri, Barbara Plagg, Giuliano Piccoliori, Adolf Engl","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2625","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2625","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This review examines vaccine hesitancy in South Tyrol, Italy, a region characterized by cultural and linguistic diversity. The critical need for vaccination to control infectious diseases contrasts with the region's low vaccination rates, which pose a significant public health challenge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Based on literature, reports, and studies, we used PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to explore vaccine hesitancy in South Tyrol. It emphasizes the analysis of historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors, and focuses on quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to understand the roots of vaccine hesitancy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In two studies with four reports, mistrust in health policies and institutions, misinformation, and cultural and linguistic barriers were identified as key factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in South Tyrol. These factors are accentuated by the region's unique sociopolitical landscape, which influences public health policies and vaccination initiatives.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the need for public health strategies specifically tailored to South Tyrol. Recommended actions include developing culturally sensitive and multilingual communication campaigns, increasing community involvement, and rebuilding trust in healthcare systems. These approaches are essential for addressing the specific challenges in South Tyrol, thereby improving vaccine uptake and overall public health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"569-579"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140304486","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":"Primary care doctors retirements in the context of an ageing population in Italy.","authors":"Zeno Dalla Valle, Carlo Signorelli, Cristina Renzi","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2602","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2602","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ongoing shortages in primary care doctors/primary care paediatricians and increasing healthcare needs due to ageing of the population represent a great challenge for healthcare providers, managers, and policymakers. To support planning of primary healthcare resource allocation we analyzed the geographic distribution of primary care doctors/primary care paediatricians across Italian regions, accounting for area-specific number and age of the population. Additionally, we estimated the number of primary care doctors/primary care paediatricians expected to retire over the next 25 years, with a focus on the next five years.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Ecological study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We gathered the list of Italian general practitioners and primary care paediatricians and combined them with the data from the National Federation of Medical Doctors, Surgeons and Dentists. Using data from the National Institutes of Statistics, we calculated the average number of patients per doctor for each region using the number of residents above and under 14 years of age for general practitioners and primary care paediatricians respectively. We also calculated the number of residents over-65 and over-75 years of age per general practitioner, as elderly patients typically have higher healthcare needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On average the number of patients per general practitioner was 1,447 (SD: 190), while for paediatricians it was 1,139 (SD: 241), with six regions above the threshold of 1,500 patients per general practitioner and only one region under the threshold of 880 patients per paediatrician. We estimated that on average 2,228 general practitioners and 444 paediatricians are going to retire each year for the next five years, reaching more than 70% among the current workforce for some southern regions. The number of elderly patients per general practitioner varies substantially between regions, with two regions having >15% more patients aged over 65 years compared to the expected number.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>over 65 years compared to the expected number. Conclusions. The study highlighted that some regions do not currently have the required primary care workforce, and the expec-ted retirements and the ageing of the population will exacerbate the pressure on the already over-stretched healthcare services. A response from healthcare administrations and policymakers is urgently required to allow equitable access to quality primary care across the country.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"392-404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139650159","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":"Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccination in 2023: a descriptive analysis in two Italian Research and Teaching Hospitals. Is the On-Site strategy effective?","authors":"Pier Mario Perrone, Simone Villa, Giuseppina Maria Raciti, Laura Clementoni, Valentina Vegro, Francesco Scovenna, Augusto Altavilla, Adriana Monica Tomoiaga, Valentina Beltrami, Ilaria Bruno, Marcello Vaccargiu, Elisa Astorri, Navpreet Tiwana, Matteo Letzgus, Peter Johannes Schulz, Fabrizio Ernesto Pregliasco, Silvana Castaldi","doi":"10.7416/ai.2024.2606","DOIUrl":"10.7416/ai.2024.2606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Vaccinations represent an extremely effective tool for the prevention of certain infectious diseases - such as influenza and COVID-19 -, particularly for those categories at risk due to both their frail condition or professional exposure, such as healthcare workers. The aim of this study is to describe the course of the anti-influenza and anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign at two Research Hospitals in Milan, Italy.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Multicentre, cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For the 2023-24 vaccination campaign, the two facilities opted for two different approaches. At the Hospital A, two dif-ferent strategies for vaccinating healthcare workers were implemented: a fixed-site vaccination clinic and two mobile vaccination groups run by Public Health residents of the University of Milan. At the Hospital B, on the other hand, a single fixed-site outpatient clinic run by Public Health residents of the University of Milan was used. On the occasion of the campaign, a survey was also carried out using anonymous online questionnaires to investigate healthcare workers attitudes towards vaccination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1,937 healthcare workers were vaccinated: 756 were immunized against influenza only, 99 against COVID-19 only, and 1,082 against both. The results show a substantial difference in vaccination adherence among medical and nursing staff compared to other professional categories. In particular, the category with the highest vaccination adhesion turned out to be that of medical doctors with 55.7% adhesion while, on the contrary, the category with the lowest adhesion turned out to be that of auxiliary personnel characterized by 7.4% adhesion. At the same time, the comparison between the two hospital facilities showed a double adherence rate by the staff of Hospital A as regards both the flu vaccine (40.6% and 20.1%) and the anti-COVID-19 vaccine (26.4% and 12.3%). Finally, the survey showed that the attitude towards influenza vaccination is lower among auxiliary staff in terms of both knowledge and vaccination attitude.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of the study show a vaccination adherence in line with that of previous years, although lower than the values recommended by the principal national and international Organizations. The analysis of the differences between the two facilities and the surveys carried out will allow for the implementation of targeted interventions to increase adherence in future campaigns.</p>","PeriodicalId":7999,"journal":{"name":"Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita","volume":" ","pages":"421-431"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140206257","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}