Annali Di Igiene[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Quality information and fake news on Covid-19 and immunization among adolescents: a qualitative analysis in school settings.
Nuccetelli F, Gabellone V, Gabrielli E … +1 more , Lopalco PL
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39840803 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Correct information is an essential tool to guide thoughts, attitudes, daily choices or more important decisions such as those regarding health. Today, a huge amount of information sources and media is availa...
BACKGROUND: Correct information is an essential tool to guide thoughts, attitudes, daily choices or more important decisions such as those regarding health. Today, a huge amount of information sources and media is available. Increasing possibilities of obtaining data also require understanding and positioning skills, particularly the ability to navigate the ocean of information and to choose what is best without becoming overwhelmed. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, focus group methodology has been used as a survey instrument in a school setting in order to study the knowledge, preconceptions, and attitudes of students toward vaccination practice, to promote favourable and knowledgeable attitudes about vaccination and counteract the spread of fake news. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an educational institution in Apulia in March 2023, 2 focus group sessions were conducted with students as part of an educational project. The selected sample of 23 students was divided into two groups consisting of 12 and 11 participants each, respectively, chosen through the probabilistic method. The knowledge and attitude baseline was assessed through a structured questionnaire at the start of the day. Then, before the focus group sessions, the first group (A) was exposed to an informative video conducted by an expert on the topic of vaccination and fake news, while the second group (B) attended a frontal lesson on the same issues. The guiding questions that the moderators considered in both groups for the topic of vaccination investigated the importance, the usefulness of vaccines, and the trust in political authorities. RESULTS: The responses to the initial questionnaire revealed high variability among the two groups, although they were randomly selected. Transcripts of the dialogues were categorized by ATLAS.ti into 204 total codes and 87 categories, then combined to form increasingly generic categories that were united by related themes. It was developed in a specific model of favouring and hindering factors divided into 4 thematic domains specially adapted to the school context: perception of disease risk, emotional aspects, beliefs about the vaccine, and attitudes toward fake news. DISCUSSION: The category "Fake News" with 97 mentions turns out to be the most discussed by students within all the explored domains. Adolescents have a greater attitude to be overcome by conspiracy theories, probably because they are more exposed to online news. We could detect a generalised sense of confusion with respect to the communication of the pandemic period that emphasised, in many of them, prior perplexities. Public health policies, criticised by the participants, led them to develop a sceptical and conspiratorial attitude toward the authorities, claiming economic interests behind some management choices. "Emotions," with 63 quotes, confirmed the strong impact of the emotional sphere, multifaceted and diverse, on adolescents' personal experience during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a single intervention (video or lesson) is not able to change attitudes and thinking tendencies of the adolescents examined. In addition, the leader figure present in both groups, was found to influence, in both study conditions (group A and group B), students' opinions, especially on the issue of fake news, more than a short-term intervention.
Comment on "Best practices for disinfection in dental settings: insights from Italian and European regulations".
Barenghi L, Spadari F
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39840642 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Lombardy Region: seven years of breast cancers screening before, during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Ticozzi EM, Perrone PM, Deandrea S … +3 more , Tanious M, Cereda D, Castaldi S
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39840641 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer represents the most common form of neoplasm in women, with an estimated 685,000 deaths annually. In this regard, screening programmes represent one of the most effective intervention tools in th...
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer represents the most common form of neoplasm in women, with an estimated 685,000 deaths annually. In this regard, screening programmes represent one of the most effective intervention tools in the field of cancer prevention. The aim of this study is to analyse and describe the key performance indicators of the screening programmes in Lombardy from 2016 to 2022. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive temporal analysis study. METHODS: The data pertaining to the screening campaign were subjected to analysis, with the results broken down according to the following criteria: individual province, age group eligible for screening, and campaign year. For each campaign, the data pertaining to the population subjected to screening, as well as the data concerning the rate of cancers identified during the campaign, were subjected to analysis. RESULTS: For the three age groups, a substantial overlap in call and campaign adherence rates can be observed, with stable values between 2016 and 2019, followed by a significant decline in the 2020 campaign associated with the impact of the pandemic on prevention activities, including cancer screening campaigns. The data for 2021 and 2022 indicate a reversal of the decline in adherence and call rates, particularly in the 45-49 age group, which exhibited an increase of approximately 300% in the call rate between 2021 and 2020. Moreover, the categorization of the provinces into urban, mountainous and rural provinces demonstrates an overlap in the admission rates between the three areas in the different years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of mammography screening campaigns for more than 20 years, adherence rates in the Lombardy region remain below the targets set out in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. In this regard, the observed variations, particularly during the period of the pandemic and in the subsequent post-pandemic period, provide an opportunity to rethink the organization of screening campaigns in order to increase adherence and effectiveness.
Direct and indirect healthcare costs of ocular diseases in Italy: a literature review on glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
Pennisi F, Gentile L, Borlini S … +2 more , Gianfredi V, Signorelli C
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39811964 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration impose substantial economic burdens on healthcare systems due to their high prevalence and chronic nature. Nevertheless, comprehensive Ital...
BACKGROUND: Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration impose substantial economic burdens on healthcare systems due to their high prevalence and chronic nature. Nevertheless, comprehensive Italian data is limited. This study aims to collect Italian evidence on the economic impact of these conditions to support more effective healthcare planning. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Studies reporting cost evaluations of managing glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration in Italy were included. Direct, indirect and non-medical costs were considered. RESULTS: The review included 23 studies exhibiting considerable heterogeneity in timeframes, regions, and economic evaluation approaches. For glaucoma, annual direct costs ranged from €788.70 for early-stage cases to €8,368.51 for advanced cases requiring surgery. Annual costs associated with diabetic retinopathy ranged from €4,050 to €5,799 per patient, depending on disease severity and treatment approach. The financial burden of age-related macular degeneration varied considerably, with costs ranging from €1,399.20 for early-stage cases to €3,973.30 for advanced stages. Although non-medical and indirect costs, such as lost productivity and caregiving expenses were less frequently assessed, they represented a significant contributor to the overall financial burden. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the substantial economic burden ocular diseases place on the Italian healthcare system. Early intervention and preventive strategies could reduce the long-term costs of managing diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Further research into indirect costs and cost-effective interventions is necessary to support more efficient healthcare resource allocation.
Experience of Safety and Health Promotion in Dolomites Area.
Marcotrigiano V, Prete A, Padoin A … +21 more , Canal C, Bino E, Lovat A, Campigotto I, Campigotto F, Maggiolo A, Vedana G, Fagherazzi J, Manzi M, Fiorito N, Voltolini A, Da Rech A, D'Incà P, Pezzarossi G, Zuccali MG, Prestini A, Ferro A, Dal Ben G, De Marco MC, Parpinel M, Cinquetti S
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39764620 · Publisher ↗
The mountain context represents a suitable setting for promoting health. In view of the Olympic Games, which are expected to take place in the Dolomites area in 2026, the outdoor Alpine environment must con-tinue to meet...
The mountain context represents a suitable setting for promoting health. In view of the Olympic Games, which are expected to take place in the Dolomites area in 2026, the outdoor Alpine environment must con-tinue to meet all the health and safety requirements. Our recent experience, implemented in this area since summer 2024 through the Prevention Department of the Local Health Authority ULSS 1 Dolomiti, aims to encourage multi-sector preventive public health policies, in order to improve the "Shelters" ("rifugi", in Italian) hygiene, to strengthen the safety requirements, and to implement preventive projects.
Best practices for disinfection in dental settings: insights from Italian and European regulations.
Triggiano F, Veschetti E, Veneri F … +2 more , Montagna MT, De Giglio O
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39698866 · Publisher ↗
Disinfection practices in dental settings are fundamental to clinical safety, playing a pivotal role in preventing cross-infections and protecting the health of patients and healthcare professionals. This article examine...
Disinfection practices in dental settings are fundamental to clinical safety, playing a pivotal role in preventing cross-infections and protecting the health of patients and healthcare professionals. This article examines the key components of effective disinfection, based on evidence-based protocols developed by international organizations such as the WHO and the U.S. CDC, alongside European and Italian regulatory standards. Dental instruments require stringent sterilization by autoclave or chemical methods, while high-level disinfection is essential for non-sterilizable items. Clinical surfaces require routine biocidal treatment tailored to microbial hazards and material compatibility. The European Biocidal Products Regulation and the Medical Devices Regulation provide critical oversight, ensuring product safety and effectiveness while preventing resistance. Antiseptics also play a vital role in oral care, with applications ranging from infection prevention to the treatment of periodontal disease, and are governed by strict regulatory frameworks. Disinfection effectiveness is significantly affected by factors such as microbial load, presence of biofilm, pH, temperature and biocide exposure time. Preventing bacterial resistance requires appropriate germicide selection, adherence to manufacturer protocols, robust sterilization and cleaning procedures. In addition, the increased use of disinfection during public health emergencies highlights the need for adaptability to mitigate evolving risks. Regular audits, biological tests, and training for healthcare personnel ensure the consistent application of these rigorous protocols. By integrating international and national standards, dental facilities achieve a uniform approach to hygiene and safety, advancing public trust and compliance. This article highlights the imperative for ongoing research and dissemination of best practices to enhance infection control in dental care environments.
What is the Current Knowledge and Experience on Preventive Pathway for Healthy Ageing in Italy? A Scoping Review.
Masini A, Pighini I, Conti A … +3 more , Isabella A, Cherasco N, Panella M
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39698865 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Worldwide population is ageing rapidly. Lifestyle factors are essential targets for leading to behaviour change interventions that promote healthy aging. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a scoping review aimed to u...
BACKGROUND: Worldwide population is ageing rapidly. Lifestyle factors are essential targets for leading to behaviour change interventions that promote healthy aging. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a scoping review aimed to underline the current knowledge and experience on preventive interventions for healthy and active ageing in Italy. Secondly, it intended to study the manner in which this country will pursue the topic in this research area. METHODS: The search was conducted on different databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus on July 25th, 2023, and search results were filtered to include only articles published from 2003. RESULTS: A total of 951 potentially relevant records were retrieved. After duplicates removal, 810 unique records were screened. Finally, four studies fulfilling established criteria were included. All the studies were conducted in the northern and central regions of Italy. The investigated populations were older adults, and all four studies were focused mainly on primary prevention and health promotion strategies based on self-efficacy and motivation of the participants, including physical activity, diet and cognitive training. In addition, two studies used mobile health technologies to deliver the preventive intervention for healthy ageing. CONCLUSION: Our scoping review underlines the limited knowledge and experience of preventive healthy aging interventions in the national setting. The new preventive pathway that promotes healthy ageing healthily should be based on tailored lifestyle interventions, managed by multidisciplinary teams with the use of digital tools, in order to improve older people's safety. The characteristics of the settings are still not clear.
Behind closed doors: Freelance nurses and the reality of unmet care needs in Italian home care setting. Insight from a phenomenological descriptive study.
Dante A, Marcotullio A, Checchi A … +5 more , Caponnetto V, Masotta V, Paoli I, Petrucci C, Lancia L
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39654446 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The term 'Missed Nursing Care' (MNC) refers to any aspect of nursing care that is not delivered, partially delivered, or delayed. MNC has significant negative consequences, including adverse patient outcomes,...
BACKGROUND: The term 'Missed Nursing Care' (MNC) refers to any aspect of nursing care that is not delivered, partially delivered, or delayed. MNC has significant negative consequences, including adverse patient outcomes, safety risks, and decreased job satisfaction. While extensively studied in hospitals, MNC in community healthcare settings, remains under-researched, especially in Italy. This study aims to explore the phenomenon of MNC in Italian home care settings by documenting and analyzing the lived experiences of freelance nurses, focusing on the characteristics, influencing factors, and consequences of MNC as perceived by these healthcare professionals. STUDY DESIGN: This is a descriptive phenomenological study. METHODS: Using snowball sampling, 12 Italian freelance nurses were recruited and interviewed from November 2022 to February 2023. Data collection was based on in-depth interviews, that have been transcribed and analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological framework. The study report adhered to the COREQ-32 checklist for qualitative research. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: dimensions of MNC, organizational challenges, consequences of MNC, and family-nurse collaboration. Freelance nurses frequently addressed unmet fundamental and complex nursing needs, highlighting significant clinical, psychological, and economic impacts on patients and families. Organizational issues, such as rigid public service schedules and inadequate staffing, were identified as primary contributors to MNC. Families played a crucial role in managing care and collaborating with freelance nurses to ensure continuity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insights into MNC in Italian home care settings, emphasizing the critical role of freelance nurses in filling care gaps. The findings suggest the need for systemic changes to improve flexibility, staffing, and integration of public and private nursing services. Further research, particularly quantitative studies, is essential to validate these findings and explore broader implications for patient care and health outcomes.
Nutritional Project in School Setting: Analysis of Food Choices following Actions performed by Healthcare Workers.
Federici G, Zulian N, Bino E … +6 more , Marcotrigiano V, Lovat A, Padoin A, Citiulo A, Sava GA, Cinquetti S
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39606851 · Publisher ↗
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 li...
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.
Environmental and Climate Challenges: Implications for Food Safety, Food Security, and Public Health Protection.
Panunzio MF, Montagna MT, Russo RM
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39552235 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Migration and infectious disease risk: knowledge and perception among university students in two European countries.
Marconi D, Casigliani V, Mazzilli S … +2 more , Tavoschi L, Lopalco PL
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39526553 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: In the past years, migration has increasingly affected the European continent. The concerns of the local population about infection spread by migrants may increase as an unjustified stigma. Our study aimed to...
BACKGROUND: In the past years, migration has increasingly affected the European continent. The concerns of the local population about infection spread by migrants may increase as an unjustified stigma. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge and risk perception of infectious disease associated with migration among university students. METHODS: Between January and February 2020, we conducted an online survey in Italian and Spanish University students. We collected data on demographics, perception, and knowledge of infectious diseases associated with migration. We performed descriptive and risk factors analysis to assess the association among selected variables. RESULTS: We collected 1,397 answers, 73.16% from Italian students and 26.84% from Spanish students, 34.54% and 38.67% enrolled in healthcare degrees, respectively. We found a statistically significant correlation between the knowledge of infectious diseases and the perception of the infectious risk associated with migration, not confirmed for the area of study. Healthcare students had the best levels of knowledge and perception of the migratory phenomenon, but the higher perception of infectious risk. Exposure to the media coverage about migration was associated with the worst perception of the migratory phenomenon and infectious risk. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that, despite healthcare students had the best levels of knowledge, they had the highest risk perception of infectious diseases associated with migration. The inclusion of courses on migration medicine in current healthcare curricula and the increase of practical training could help to avoid the development of biased approaches towards migrants among healthcare professionals.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated hospitalisations in children up to 6 years of age in Italy: a systematic review.
Bechini A, Salvati C, Bonito B … +21 more , Del Riccio M, Stancanelli E, Bruschi M, Ionita G, Iamarino J, Bentivegna D, Buscemi P, Ciardi G, Cosma C, Stacchini L, Paoli S, Conticello C, Bega M, Schirripa A, Bertizzolo L, Muzii B, Azzi MV, Parisi S, Trippi F, Bonanni P, Boccalini S
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39526552 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus is a leading cause of respiratory hospitalisations in infants. This systematic review (registration number: CRD42021248309) aims to synthesise the available evidence on Respirato...
INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus is a leading cause of respiratory hospitalisations in infants. This systematic review (registration number: CRD42021248309) aims to synthesise the available evidence on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-related hospitalisations among children aged 0 to 6 years in Italy. METHODS: The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and International HTA, covering the period from January 2000 to July 2022, with a focus on studies that reported information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated hospitalisation in children aged 0-6 years in Italy. RESULTS: Eight articles were included after screening 20,845 records. These retrospective studies reported that most hospitalisations were among those <1 year (71.5%-88.8%), infants aged <1 year were also at higher risk of hospitalisation in intensive care unit. Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections typically peaked December-February, with an atypical early start in August 2021. Subtype analysis showed alternating prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-A and Respiratory Syncytial Virus-B across different seasons. Coinfections were not uncommon (1.1%-37.4%), with rhinovirus and bocavirus being the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: All infants at their first Respiratory Syncytial Virus season showed an increased risk of severe infection and hospitalisation, regardless of the gestational age at birth, compared to older participants. This systematic review will enrich the understanding about Respiratory Syncytial Virus disease and help support decisions regarding prevention efforts in Italy.
Funding sources for public health research in Italy.
Mazzoli R, La Torre M, Privitera VE … +3 more , Sändig N, Filippini T, Vinceti M
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39526551 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Funding sources play a critical role in shaping the landscape of scientific research, including the one in public health, as they often determine not only the feasibility of specific projects but also its bro...
BACKGROUND: Funding sources play a critical role in shaping the landscape of scientific research, including the one in public health, as they often determine not only the feasibility of specific projects but also its broader directions. STUDY DESIGN: We aimed at assessing current funding sources for public health research in Italy and related implications. METHODS: We conducted a systematic PubMed search from January 2023 to June 2024, focusing on publications by 208 Italian tenured professors in hygiene and public health. We included only original articles they authored as first or last authors, excluding editorials, comments, and letters. We categorized funding sources into public internal, public external, private external, and unmentioned. RESULTS: We retrieved 760 non-duplicate eligible publications. Research topics focused almost equally on communicable (48.2%) and non-communicable (51.8%) diseases. Public external funding were the most common overall (33.7%), followed by private external (14.3%) and public internal (7.5%). Notably, 58.7% of studies did not report any funding sources. Private external, regional and EU sources predominantly funded communicable disease research, while non-communicable disease research received more support from public external sources, especially governmental. CONCLUSIONS: In a European country such as Italy the funding landscape in public health research appears to be complex, due to the wide range of topics and intertwined roles of funding actors. Public funding are more frequent than private funding also independently of research topics, though most research activities did not require specific financial support, implying that public health research frequently has limited financial needs. This likely enables more flexibility and independence to investigators in public health, with major implications in terms of feasibility and absence of conflicts of interest.
Intentions to move abroad among medical students: a cross-sectional study to investigate determinants and opinions.
Martella M, Lo Moro G, Scaioli G … +4 more , Grisafi-Schittone C, Gebbia G, Siliquini R, Bert F
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39498548 · Publisher ↗
AIM: The lack of health professionals and the physicians' migration trend represents a challenging issue for the health systems' sustainability worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate the intentions of Italian medi...
AIM: The lack of health professionals and the physicians' migration trend represents a challenging issue for the health systems' sustainability worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate the intentions of Italian medical students to pursue their own careers abroad by investigating the push and pull factors of migration. SUBJECT AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among Italian medical students through a self-administered questionnaire. Primary and secondary outcomes were established as the intention of moving abroad after graduation and knowledge about residency programmes, application, quality training and remuneration in the country of interest. Descriptive analysis for all variables and univariable and multivariable regression for primary and secondary outcomes were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 307 medical students took part in the study. More than half of the sample considered moving abroad after graduation, mainly to find a higher quality training programme. Regression analysis highlighted a significant association between the primary outcome and general personal and professional reasons, as well as previous experiences abroad, whereas bureaucratic procedures were perceived as the main barrier. Perceived better knowledge about residency programmes and quality of training related to sources of information such as the Internet (blogs, forums, websites) and medical associations. CONCLUSION: Retention policies are necessary to meet the expectations and requests of future generations of doctors by allocating financial resources to offer high-quality training and broad career opportunities, together with appropriate wages, as crucial factors for discouraging the migration of healthcare professionals.
Reply to the Comment on "Vaccination hesitancy: agreement between WHO and ChatGPT-4.0 or Gemini Advanced" by Hinpetch Daungsupawong and Viroj Wiwanitkit.
Manzoli L
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39440597 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Comment on "Vaccination hesitancy: agreement between WHO and ChatGPT- 4.0 or Gemini Advanced".
Daungsupawong H, Wiwanitkit V
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39417541 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Telemedicine for Outpatients: A Case Study of the First Experience with Diabetic Patients in the Local Health Authority of Modena.
Perrone FA, Pederzini L, Casoni F … +8 more , Artoni P, Guidetti F, Vescovini C, Semeraro V, Gaetti E, Vinceti M, Palandri L, Righi E
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39403799 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine had the opportunity to demonstrate its potential. In Italy, after an initial period of mistrust, it became clear that remote medicine can provide significant benefit...
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine had the opportunity to demonstrate its potential. In Italy, after an initial period of mistrust, it became clear that remote medicine can provide significant benefits for both healthcare professionals and patients. In the Local Health Unit of Modena (Emilia Romagna region, Northern Italy), great importance was placed on developing, promoting, and managing all telemedicine activities. In particular, it was decided to prioritize the activation of tele-visit services in accordance with the guidelines of the Emilia-Romagna region. STUDY DESIGN: This case study aims to illustrate the activities planned and developed at the Local Health Authority of Modena for the implementation of the first service of this kind, the tele-visit service for outpatients suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus, and to analyze data from the first 12 months of activity (from May 2023 to April 2024) to share reflections on the strengths and critical points encountered. METHOD: For the activation of tele-visits at the Local Health Authority of Modena, a dedicated working group was established with the mandate to manage all clinical, organizational, and IT aspects. Before starting the service, various preliminary activities were carried out, including selecting the clinical specialty to be activated, defining patient inclusion criteria, implementing IT systems, assessing clinical risks, preparing and distributing information materials, training healthcare personnel, and planning outpatient activities. RESULTS: During the first year of experimental activation of the service (May 2023-April 2024), a total of 72 patients were enrolled in the project, with 103 tele-visits provided. The patients were predominantly women (67%), and the most represented age groups were 30-39 (26%) and 40-49 (21%). Half of the specialists in the Diabetology Service (9/19) participated in the initiative by providing tele-visits, most of whom were young and all of whom were women. The main issues identified through regularly scheduled meetings with professionals, to which the working group is seeking the most appropriate solutions, include poor adherence by many patients who still have doubts about this modality, the habit of many patients rescheduling appointments multiple times, a habit not diminished by this visit method, the non-uniform adherence of professionals, and uneven territorial diffusion of the service. Lastly, professionals reported various IT difficulties. Although the number of tele-visits was not high, the initiative has sparked the interest of several specialists, some of whom have already proposed activating other telemedicine services, with some even suggesting innovative new projects. The next steps will involve extending diabetes monitoring to pregnant women with gestational diabetes and developing tele-visit services for endocrinology, neurology, hematology, and gastroenterology. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a tele-visit service in a Local Health Unit is a complex process. A thorough evaluation of the issues that emerged during the development phases and the initial delivery period can help us to act proactively to prevent the failure of future projects. Our evaluations suggest a need to act on two fronts: on one hand, we must organize further activities to promote telemedicine to both patients and healthcare providers, while on the other hand, we must work to resolve IT issues.
The attitude, intention, and related factors of purchasing antibiotics without prescription: a survey in Vietnam.
Le NMT, Dang KD, Nguyen HP
Ann Ig · 2024 · PMID 39373650 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The abuse of antibiotics is a global problem, and the form of abuse varies among different countries and cultures. The study explored antibiotic self-medication attitudes and intentions to use antibiotics amo...
BACKGROUND: The abuse of antibiotics is a global problem, and the form of abuse varies among different countries and cultures. The study explored antibiotic self-medication attitudes and intentions to use antibiotics among the public in Can Tho City, Vietnam. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaire survey on a sample of volunteers. METHODS: Between February and August 2023, a paper-based questionnaire survey was conducted among the public in 4 districts of Can Tho City, Vietnam. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive and analytical statistics using multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the factors associated with antibiotic self-medication. RESULTS: Of the 414 people interviewed, 56% were female, and the majority were aged 30-45 (48.49%). People with a university pro-fessional degree accounted for 39.4%, of whom 10.6% were the medical staff. The overall average score on attitude was 4.43±1.589 (on a 10-point scale), and 85.7% of people had inappropriate attitudes. Average scores of the indicators (a) Positive attitude towards the use of non-prescription antibiotics, (b) Negative attitude towards the use of non-prescription antibiotics, (c) Subjective norms, (d) Perceived behavioral control, and (e) Intention to purchase antibiotics without a prescription were 3.73±0.043, 2.29±0.944, 4.36±1.45, 3.4±1.027, and 3.63±1.145, respectively. The rate of people intending to buy non-prescribed antibiotics was 63.8%. Factors related to people's intention to purchase antibiotics without a prescription included place of residence, education level, occupation, and income. All three factors, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, impacted the intention to buy non-prescription antibiotics, of which the subjective norm factor had the most substantial impact. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of people having incorrect attitudes about antibiotics, leading to the intention to buy antibiotics without a prescription, was relatively high. Factors affecting people's intention to purchase non-prescribed antibiotics included factors related to the impact of other people around them and factors originating from themselves.
Assessment of an organizational model during the first wave of COVID -19 in the South-Eastern Tuscany Health Unit: intensifying community services as prescribed by Ministerial Decree 77 of 2022.
Turillazzi R, d'Urso A, Dei S … +6 more , D'Amato MG, Bocci G, Capitani E, Limaj S, Taddeini F, Nante N
Ann Ig · 2024 · PMID 39373649 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: At the end of 2019 a new virus, called SARS-CoV-2, emerged in Wuhan, China. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health system of the Tusca...
INTRODUCTION: At the end of 2019 a new virus, called SARS-CoV-2, emerged in Wuhan, China. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health system of the Tuscany Region and the response implemented by the South-Eastern Local Health Unit, also in view of the new reform of territorial healthcare established by Ministerial Decree No. 77 of 2022. METHODS: Data were taken from the "OpenToscana" database beginning when the first case was recorded in Italy (18 February 2020) until July 2020. We analyzed infections and deaths in each Local Heal.th Unit in the Tuscany Region and calculated the fatality rate (number of deaths/cases x 100) following COVID-19 infection. We subsequently compared the fatality rates among the Local Health Units by means of the Kruskal Wallis test. RESULTS: During the first wave, the South-Eastern Local Health Unit had fewer infections (a total of 1,532 by July) and fewer deaths (total: 107 by July) than the other Local Health Units. In the South-Eastern Local Health Unit, the fatality rate in July was 6.98%. The comparison of the fatality rates among the various LHUs and the whole Region showed statistically significant differences (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The organizational models promptly implemented by the South-Eastern Local Health Unit for good territorial care and the management of COVID-19-positive patients limited the spread of infection, and consequently the deaths, thus reducing the fatality rate in the first wave of the pandemic.
Vaccination hesitancy: agreement between WHO and ChatGPT-4.0 or Gemini Advanced.
Fiore M, Bianconi A, Acuti Martellucci C … +4 more , Rosso A, Zauli E, Flacco ME, Manzoli L
Ann Ig · 2025 · PMID 39373234 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of individuals use online Artificial Intelligence (AI) - based chatbots to retrieve information on health-related topics. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy in answering vaccine-rel...
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of individuals use online Artificial Intelligence (AI) - based chatbots to retrieve information on health-related topics. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy in answering vaccine-related answers of the currently most commonly used, advanced chatbots - ChatGPT-4.0 and Google Gemini Advanced. METHODS: We compared the answers provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) to 38 open questions on vaccination myths and misconception, with the answers created by ChatGPT-4.0 and Gemini Advanced. Responses were considered as "appropriate", if the information provided was coherent and not in contrast to current WHO recommendations or to drug regulatory indications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The rate of agreement between WHO answers and Chat-GPT-4.0 or Gemini Advanced was very high, as both provided 36 (94.7%) appropriate responses. The few discrepancies between WHO and AI-chatbots answers could not be considered "harmful", and both chatbots often invited the user to check reliable sources, such as CDC or the WHO websites, or to contact a local healthcare professional. In their current versions, both AI-chatbots may already be powerful instrument to support the traditional communication tools in primary prevention, with the potential to improve health literacy, medication adherence, and vaccine hesitancy and concerns. Given the rapid evolution of AI-based systems, further studies are strongly needed to monitor their accuracy and reliability over time.
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