Adherence to Mediterranean diet in a sample of Tuscan adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a group of Italian high school students, in relation to their lifestyles and social and family contexts, and to compare the nutrition habits of the sample with other similar groups.

Methods: The KIDMED index and an ad hoc questionnaire were administered to 1127 students (mean age 16.8 ± 1.

[Tuberculosis in Tuscany: epidemiology and drug resistance].

The aim of this study, conducted in collaboration with the Regional Mycobacteriology Centre at "Careggi" Hospital in Florence, was to describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in Tuscany in the years 2007 to 2009. Epidemiological data and mycobacteriology results related to all subjects with confirmed TB in the three years considered were evaluated.Two hundred eighty-five patients were evaluated for the year 2007, 289 for 2008 and 240 for 2009 (data for three provinces are missing for 2009).

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis and Mini Nutritional Assessment in elderly nursing home residents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the presence of malnutrition in elderly institutionalized people through Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores and to observe the changes of nutritional status through the Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA).

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Nursing home located in the territory of Florence (Italy).

Quantification of drugs of abuse and some stimulants in hair samples by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry.

A qualitative and quantitative method for the analysis of drugs of abuse (cocaine and benzoylecgonine, opiates) and some stimulants in human hair was developed and validated. Hair samples were incubated with phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), chosen as the extraction medium, extracted with Bond Elut Certify cartridges and analyzed by LC-MS-MS and LC-MS(3) as confirmation for positive results.

The role of environmental factors and distance from Emergency Medical Services on the severity of road accidents.

Aim of this work is to assess the effect of some environmental factors on road accident severity in Tuscany (Italy). ISTAT data on road accidents occurred in Tuscany in 1991-2003 (228,833 accidents) have been analysed, considering the following variables: road type and characteristics, population density in the municipality where the accident occurred, presence of Emergency Medical Services (EMSs) in the municipality, distance between the municipality and the nearest EMS, according to 3 different criteria. The effect of each variable in accident severity (fatal vs not fatal) was assessed through logistic regression analysis.

Body composition assessment in a sample of eight-year-old children.

Objective: We assessed the body composition of 8-y-old children living in Livorno through the integration of bioelectrical and anthropometric evaluations.

Methods: The study, conducted during December 2005, involved 8-y-old third graders of Livorno, Italy. We collected for each subject (449 children, 210 female and 239 male) anthropometric parameters and carried out bioelectrical impedance test with a STA/BIA Soft Tissue Analyzer.

[Biological contamination by micromycetes in dried Boletus edulis: research of aflatoxin B1, B2 G1, G2 and ochratoxin A].

Aim of this survey is to identify those filamentous fungi which parasite Boletus edulis and its group and check the potential presence of secondary metabolites, specifically aflatoxin B1, total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, in order to assess the risk to consumers' health. Forty samples of dried Boletus edulis, collected by two food industries which distribute the product in many Italian regions, have been analysed. The sampling plan has been conducted from November 2005 to March 2006, collecting 50 g from each commercial category of dried Boletus edulis available in the factory at the time of sampling.

[Assessment of nutritional status in institutionalized elderly individuals through body impedance analysis].

The aim of this study was to describe changes in body composition and determine the prevalence of malnutrition or of risk of malnutrition in long institutionalized elderly patients. Four hundred five patients aged over 64 years were included in the study. Nutritional status was evaluated by means of questionnaire, height and weight measurements and bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA).

The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in social marginal groups. An experience conducted in Tuscany.

Tuberculosis is encountering a renewal attention due to emergent causes, linked primarily to migration from high-endemic countries of many subjects who present important risk factors as poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, HIV infection. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in social groups traditionally at higher risk of developing the disease and often difficult to detect. Tuberculin screening with Mantoux intradermal reaction has been carried out on 2014 subjects with one or more risk conditions.

[Mobile phone use while driving in Fiorentine area: results of the new survey].

Despite the growing evidence that the use of hand-held mobile phone while driving increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes and the banning by law, in many countries, of this kind of use, this behaviour is more and more spreading. Following a survey we have conducted in 2004, in 2005 we have realized in florentine area a monthly monitoring about this incorrect use of phoning while driving. Overall, 15001 vehicles were observed, and the prevalence of mobile phone use while driving was 2.

[Body composition, nutritional habits and functional abilities in a sample of eight year old children].

Aim of this study is the evaluation of body composition (proxy of nutritional status) and its correlation with functional abilities in a sample of 8-year-old children living in a florentine municipality. We have collected, for each subject, anthropometric variables (weight, height) and carried out bioelectrical impedance test and a group of physical tests to measure strength and physical ability. The results of vectorial interpretation of BIA, together with the analysis of the so called fitness tests, show a comprehensive good body composition and a very low prevalence of obesity for both genders.

A pilot survey of child restraint and seating position in cars in Florence Health Authority area.

To investigate the use of child restraint and seating position in Florence, in the Centre of Italy, after the introduction of the New Italian road traffic law, a survey has been conducted. Direct observations were made in the areas related to three schools attended by children of different age groups, to determine the presence of child car seats and their positioning as well as child positioning in case of absence of the seat. A total of 328 vehicles have been observed; in 48.

[Injury-related Emergency Department visits in Tuscany (Italy)].

The frequency of injuries underscores the need for planning and implementing efficient injury surveillance systems. Emergency Departments represent the preferred source of data on injuries but information regarding emergency department visits is not always available. We examined the feasibility of utilizing emergency department data to monitor the occurrence of injuries in Tuscany.

[Mobile phone use while driving in Florence health district area].

The practice of driving while using hand-held mobile phones is diffused in numerous countries, even though it has been demonstrated that they increase the risk of traffic accidents, and such use has consequently been prohibited. Because of the lack of Italian data on the spread of this behaviour a study was done in June 2004 on drivers' use of hand-held mobile phones in the Florence Health Authority area. The study was performed by direct observation from 4 watching-points (1 for each zone) which allowed for observation of several types of vehicles, on varying road conditions, in 5 hour time bands.

[An epidemiological evaluation of proximal femur fracture on a population living in the area of the Florence Local Health Trust].

Proximal femur fracture is a relevant issue of public health due to its high prevalence in elderly people and high social costs. We performed an epidemiological description of the event based on the data derived from the hospital discharge reports over a 5-year period, from 1997 to 2001, referred to a mean population of 796,990 persons. During this period, the disease incidence rate, estimated on hospital admissions, is high (higher than national average), although rather constant over years: average values are 777.

[From the introduction to the possibility of moving beyond immunization obligation: considerations on the need for a guided procedure].

In Italy until sec. XIX, the beginning of vaccination duty allows to obtain some weighty aims in Public Health, like small pox eradication, polio and diphtheria elimination, or like the great reduction of tetanus and hepatitis B incidence. At the some, however, the vaccination duty doesn't allow to develop a "vaccination conscience" to do to accept the vaccines like the most important instrument, for effectiveness and utility, in the infectious diseases prevention.

Factors influencing hospital infection control policies in Italian hospitals.

A study was undertaken to determine the resources available in Italian hospitals for the control of nosocomial infections and the factors favouring a successful approach. During January-May 2000 a questionnaire about infection control was sent to the hospital health director of all Italian National Health System hospitals treating acute patients and with more than 3500 admissions in 1999. An active programme was defined as a hospital infection control committee (HICC) meeting at least four times in 1999, the presence of a doctor with infection control responsibilities, a nurse employed in infection control and at least one surveillance activity and one infection control guideline issued or updated in the past two years.

[Estimate of underreporting of infectious diseases through a sentinel network of pediatricinas in the area of local health unit of Florence].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the underreporting of some infectious diseases in the pediatric population in the Local Health Unit of Florence in the period 15.09.1997-14.

Prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in sewage plant workers of Central Italy: is indication for vaccination justified?

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (HAV) was studied in a group of 65 sewage plant workers living in Tuscany, Central Italy. In order to evaluate the effect of several confounders (age, place of birth, income, educational degree, sea-food consumption, etc.), subjects under study were matched with 160 other workers residing in the same area.