Quality of sleep after COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional study in the Southern Italy.

Introduction: This study investigated the quality of sleep in a sample of individuals from Southern Italy after the major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of evaluating how sleep patterns changed.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023 and involved adults who had a COVID-19 infection, who were invited to complete a self-administered online questionnaire.

Results: A total of 408 individuals participated in the survey.

Genital and Oral HPV Geno-Prevalence Measured through Urine and Saliva Samples in Young Adults in Italy.

Background: The aims of the study were to determine, in the urine and oral samples of young adults, the genotype-specific prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, the HPV DNA type-specific prevalence in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, and the determinants of HPV infection.

Methods: Selected participants were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire and to self-collect urine and saliva samples.

Results: Among the 1002 participants, 81 (8.

The quality of sleep: evaluation among university students.

Introduction: This study explored the quality of sleep among university students in the South of Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023 and involved students over the age of 18, who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire using an online application.

Results: Overall, 88% of men and 94.

Vaccinations Status against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Willingness to Be Vaccinated in an Italian Sample of Frail Subjects.

Background: Study aim was to investigate the vaccination status against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) of frail adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and, for those subjects eligible for at least one vaccine, with respect to the recommended vaccination in line with the Italian National Vaccination Prevention Plane (NPVP), to explore the willingness to be vaccinated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among adults aged ≥ 60, immunocompromised or subjects affected by chronic conditions.

Results: Among the 427 participants, a vaccination coverage rate lower than the targets for all the vaccines considered was found.

Understanding Individual Barriers to HIV Testing Among Undergraduate University Students: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study in Italy.

Background: In Europe during 2019, just over half of those with HIV were diagnosed at a late stage of infection. Even though HIV testing is crucial for all strategies related to care, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, we hypothesized that it is less practiced among university students, and, therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake and factors associated with HIV testing in southern part of Italy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 31st July 2020 among undergraduate university students aged 18-29 years.

Endodontic Infections and the Extent of Antibiotic Overprescription among Italian Dental Practitioners.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pattern of antibiotic prescription for endodontic infections (EIs) among Italian dental practitioners (DPs) and to explore the role of potential predictors of antibiotic overprescription. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between 1 April and 30 October 2019 using a structured questionnaire. Information was gathered on demographics, professional characteristics, and practices regarding antibiotic prescription for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Vaccination coverage among health-care workers: pre-post intervention study to assess impact of an on-site vaccination-dedicated clinic.

Background: Several studies have revealed low vaccinations coverage among health-care workers (HCWs) for all vaccinations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of an on-site vaccination-dedicated clinic on the vaccination coverage rates of HCWs.

Research Design And Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was carried out among undergraduate and postgraduate students attending medical and health-care professions schools.

Oral Health Status and the Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among the Institutionalized Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Area of Southern Italy.

The objectives of this study were to describe the oral health status in the institutionalized geriatric population in an area of southern Italy and to identify the impact of oral health on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Data were collected from individuals aged ≥60 years in randomly selected Calabrian long-term care facilities. The dental health status was assessed recording the decayed, missing, or filled dental elements due to the carious lesions (DMFT) index, the presence of visible dental plaque, and the gingival condition.

Chemical risk and safety awareness, perception, and practices among research laboratories workers in Italy.

Introduction: Exposure to chemical compounds occur in numerous occupational settings, among which the research and healthcare laboratories have not been adequately investigated. These settings are characterized by an extreme variability of the used compounds and by the frequent turnover of young researchers. The main objectives of the study were to explore the occupational exposure to hazardous chemical substances among research laboratory workers; to assess their awareness and perceptions regarding chemical hazards; to investigate adherence to guidelines on safe handling of chemical compounds; and to analyze the effects of several factors on these outcomes of interest.

Preventable pediatric hospitalizations and access to primary health care in Italy.

The aim of this study was to quantify the burden of avoidable pediatric hospital admissions for Ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSC) and to identify factors related to these preventable hospitalizations. The study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing all medical records of children admitted in a non-teaching 474-bed acute care hospital located in Catanzaro (Italy) for an avoidable hospitalization diagnosis. Two control clinical records involving children hospitalized for clinical conditions not classified as ACSC were randomly selected for each clinical record that included an ACSC.

Adherence to evidence-based recommendations for surgical site infection prevention: Results among Italian surgical ward nurses.

Background: The aims of the study were to assess the level of knowledge, the attitudes and the adherence to evidence-based recommendations for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention and to describe any influences that may motivate nurses to adopt evidence-based practices for SSI prevention.

Methods: The present study was a national cross-sectional survey conducted from June to November 2017. For each hospital that agreed to participate, 30 nurses were randomly selected.

Prevalence of carriage and pattern of antibiotic resistance, including methicillin resistance, among contact sport athletes in Italy.

Athletes participating in contact or collision sports have a great chance of acquiring infections. The risk factors for colonization and infections include frequent antibiotic use, close contact situations, skin trauma, sharing of sports equipment, and poor hygiene. Therefore, our specific goals were to determine (1) prevalence of among different types of contact sport athletes which were barely studied in the European region, (2) antimicrobial resistance of isolates, and (3) association of carriage with particular risk factors of spor t practices.

Determinants of patient and health system delay among Italian and foreign-born patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify key factors associated with patient delay (PD), health system delay (HSD) and total delay (TOTD) in patients with tuberculosis (TB) to inform control programmes.

Setting: The study was conducted in four Italian regions in 2014-2016. Data were obtained using a questionnaire including: sociodemographic and lifestyle data, TB comorbidities, patient knowledge and attitudes towards TB, stigma, access to TB care and health-seeking behaviours.

Prevalence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (LA-MRSA) Among Farm and Slaughterhouse Workers in Italy.

Objective: We measured the prevalence of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in swine livestock workers, examined LA-MRSA resistance profile, and associated carriage with the working activities.

Methods: Information was collected on demographics and occupational history. Swabs were collected and tested for the isolation of S.

Ventilator Bundle and Its Effects on Mortality Among ICU Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the ventilator bundle in the reduction of mortality in ICU patients.

Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library for studies published until June 2017.

Study Selection: Included studies: randomized controlled trials or any kind of nonrandomized intervention studies, made reference to a ventilator bundle approach, assessed mortality in ICU-ventilated adult patients.

Information about management of chronic drug therapies prescribed at hospital discharge: does it affect patients' knowledge and self-confidence?

Background: Hospital stay represents the opportunity for a change of therapy, about which patients may not know indications, contraindications, and mode of administration, which may lead to dosing errors, drug interactions, side effects, etc. It is therefore vital to communicate appropriate information to the discharged patient with a new prescription drug. The purpose of the study was to evaluate: 1) how communication about new chronic therapies is managed at hospital discharge and what kind of information is provided to patients; 2) to what extent patients are aware and confident in the management of these medications; 3) whether the way communication is provided affects patients' awareness and self-confidence in the management of these therapies.

Alcohol use in early adolescence: findings from a survey among middle school students in Italy.

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to measure the extent of alcohol use among a sample of early adolescents and to provide information on the factors influencing the consumption.MethodsData were collected via self-administered anonymous questionnaires from 1,520 middle school students (mean age of 13.1 years (range 12-15 years)), who were recruited from a random sample of public schools in Calabria Region, Italy.

Gynecologists and human papillomavirus DNA testing: exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practice in Italy.

The aim of this survey was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of gynecologists in terms of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing as a primary screening tool for cervical cancer. A national cross-sectional web survey was carried out through multistage sampling using an overall sample of 1000 gynecologists. Gynecologists were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire exploring their knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward cervical cancer screening and HPV-DNA testing.

Utilization of health-care services among immigrants recruited through non-profit organizations in southern Italy.

Objectives: The study aims were focused on acquiring information about access to health-care services and to investigate the potential barriers affecting full access to health-care services.

Methods: The study population consisted of immigrants and refugees aged 18 or more living in Italy for at least 12 months recruited through non-profit organizations.

Results: 961 immigrants took part in the study, with a response rate of 98.

Extended anticoagulation and mortality in venous thromboembolism. A meta-analysis of six randomized trials.

Data on all-cause mortality in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prolonged anticoagulation are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of all-cause mortality in patients with VTE at intermediate risk of recurrence, i.e.

Immunogenicity and safety of intradermal influenza vaccine in immunocompromized patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The primary influenza prevention strategy is focused on annual vaccination according to the categories identified in the various countries as being at greatest risk of complications. Many studies were conducted in order to demonstrate that intradermal (ID) vaccine formulation represents a promising alternative to conventional intramuscular (IM) formulation, especially in subjects with an impaired immune system. However, there is no consensus whether the efficacy and safety of ID is equivalent to IM in these subjects.

Immunogenicity and Safety of Intradermal Influenza Vaccine in the Elderly: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Immunosenescence makes the elderly more susceptible to influenza complications and less responsive to vaccination. An intradermal formulation (IDflu) is one of several strategies being investigated to increase the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines.

Objective: The overall goal of the study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of IDflu compared with the intramuscular route (IMflu) in the elderly.