Validation of a questionnaire about knowledge and perception of biological risk among biomedical students of Sapienza University of Rome.

BACKGROUND ADN AIM: Healthcare workers and Biomedical students are continuously exposed to biological risk in their clinical practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of an Italian questionnaire on the knowledge and perception of biological risk in Biomedical students at the beginning of their professional training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was administered to students attending the second semester of the first year of Biomedical Courses at Sapienza University of Rome. The questionnaire consists of 40 questions divided into five sections collecting sociodemographic data, health status and level of knowledge and perception of biological risk. The statistical analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. RESULTS: A total of 309 individuals answered the online questionnaire, with a response rate of 83.5%. The analysis of internal consistency was performed by two dichotomous variables that measured the knowledge level on hygiene behaviour and gloves use. The analysis showed a standardized Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.765, corresponding to a good reliability. A better reliability was found out among physiotherapy and medical students, with a Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.944 and 0.881, respectively. Regarding vaccines, 97.7% of the sample was given a Hepatitis B vaccination and 98.7% of students consider vaccinations essential for healthcare workers. CONCLUSIONS: Results of Cronbach's alpha showed a good reliability of the questionnaire. First-year Biomedical students may be exposed to occupational biological risk mainly because of their inexperience. A training educational path should be implemented in order to acquire competences, knowledge, attitudes and practical skills, correct behaviors and a personal and professional responsibility.

[Perception of risk of biological agents among a group of health workers]. / Percezione del Rischio da Agenti Biologici in un gruppo di Operatori Sanitari.

In the context of "direct" or "indirect" patient care, residual risk of biological agents exposure constitute a hazard for health and safety, that cross and affects all health care workers. For the development and implementation of effective "prevention and control" actions, even against nosocomial infections, it is nevertheless most important to acquire objective information on the level of risk perception demonstrated by relevant staff for assistance. The aim of this contribution was therefore to study the attitudes and behaviours of health sector workers in relation to the specific "biological agents risk". The survey was carried out in a italian hospital, and 25 in the study adhered responsible for the safety and 219 nurses, identified as exposed to biological agents (244 subjects), who were given a specially designed questionnaire. The results of the study, which will be described in detail, has helped to identify critical issues related to the management of "biological agents risk", and at the same time to set up a program for improvement of prevention and protection, aimed at a substantial reduction of the same risk factor.

[Prevention and control of tuberculosis in the hospital setting: the new operative protocol of the polyclinic "Umberto I"]. / Prevenzione e Controllo della Tubercolosi nelle strutture ospedaliere: il nuovo Protocollo Operativo dell'Azienda Policlinico "Umberto I".

The aim of this contribution is to explain a recent tubercolosis "prevention and control" program in health care workers. The same program was implemented in an university hospital since 2007, and revised in 2011 as a result of a new Mycobacterium tubercolosis exposure assessment in the different works environment.

[Chemical pollutants "exposure assessment" experiences: mathematical modelling vs environmental monitoring]. / Esperienze di "valutazione dell'esposizione" ad inquinanti chimici: confronto tra modelli matematici e determinazioni ambientali.

This contribution presents the employment of two risk estimation mathematical modelling--InfoRisCh and MoVaRisCH--in the context of an exposure assessment updating for different dangerous products in a petrolchemical facility, and therefore the comparison with occupational safety team and environmental monitoring results.

[Radioprotection optimization measures in hospital workers]. / Ottimizzazione delle misure di "radioprotezione" per i lavoratori delle strutture sanitarie.

In this contribution, a revision of ionizing radiations exposed workers' dosimetric data in four hospital structures is showed, and, consequently, recommended optimization measures are identified.

[Usefulness of spiral CT in the prevention of pulmonary barotrauma: presentation of a case report in a hyperbaric operator]. / Utilità della TC-spirale nella prevenzione del barotrauma polmonare: presentazione di un "case report" in un'operatrice iperbarica.

A medical surveillance integrated system for health care workers, engaged in an hyperbaric environment exposure, was set upped and implemented in an university hospital, in accordance with doctrinal, legislative and methodological issues. In particular, a specific attention on anatomic and functional assessment of the respiratory system was applied, through an advanced technique of spiral-CT imaging, with the aim to carry out an early detection of conditions to be predispose "pulmonary barotrauma". Therefore, the present contribution proposes to illustrate clinical and instrumental data, and also to show chest spiral-CT acquired images results, in a 35-years-old nurse on assignment to an hyperbaric oxygen therapy unit. In this experience the described preventive protocol was operated in the context of a modern rational and justifiable, flexible and balanced health protection path.

[Health surveillance activity and characterization of exposure to low levels of chromium: results of a 10-year follow-up]. / Attività di sorveglianza sanitaria e caratterizzazione dell'esposizione a basse dosi di cromo: risultati di un follow-up a dieci anni.

The 626/94 Decree amendment (see Decree 25/2002) regard a series of mandatory measures towards the exposure estimation both for future prevention activities as well as for the efficacy evaluation of measures that have already been carried out. This publication provides an updating on a study of the ten-year follow-up regarding occupational exposure to Cr (VI) in workers exposed to low levels of cromium.

[Determination of blood alcohol among aviation personnel: proposed operative protocol]. / Determinazione dell'alcolemia nel personale aeronavigante: proposta di protocollo operativo.

The problems of the use/abuse of alcohol need a special attention by the Public Authorities, based on the scientific evidences related to the subject. We would like to define in the present paper the procedures for alcohol testing (and drug testing) in the sailors, following the international aviation authorities (ICAO, JAR-OPS-1, FAA) recommendations. A Working Group was established to study both the scientific and the legal aspects of the problems related to alcohol testing in Italy. Experts from the Università "La Sapienza" and from Alitalia studied the alcohol testing issues abroad to set out criteria, guidelines and procedures for random testing in Italy.

[Changes in the atrial natriuretic factor and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis induced by maximum exertion in subjects with a recent myocardial infarct]. / Modificazioni del fattore atriale natriuretico e dell'asse renina-angiotensina-aldosterone indotte dallo sforzo massimale in soggetti con recente infarto del miocardio.

To examine the effect of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (EIMI) on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (PA), a maximal exercise test in 12 patients with recent acute myocardial infarction (AM) was performed. ANF, PRA and PA were measured by radioimmunoassay at baseline, peak-exercise and at 15 min after recovery. Four patients developed EIMI (group I) and 8 patients did not (group II). ANF increased in all patients from baseline to peak-exercise (27.7 +/- 9.5 pg/mL vs 92.7 +/- 26.7 pg/mL, p less than 0.0005) and it was still elevated 15 min after recovery. Baseline ANF was similar in both groups while at peak-exercise it was higher in group. I than in group II (112 +/- 15 pg/mL vs 82 +/- 26 pg/mL p less than 0.05). After 15 min of recovery, ANF was higher in group I than in group II (67 +/- 20 pg/mL vs 32 +/- 10 pg/mL, p less than 0.01), resulting higher than at baseline only in group I (p less than 0.05). PRA and PA also increased during exercise but their values rose more slowly and were the same in both groups. Thus, ANF, PRA and PA increase during exercise in patients after AMI, and EIMI is associated with higher ANF plasma levels.

[Effects of flecainide in patients with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and impaired left ventricular function]. / Effetti della flecainide in pazienti con tachicardia ventricolare non sostenuta e ridotta funzione ventricolare sinistra.

Anti-arrythmia efficacy and effects on left ventricular function of flecainide have been evaluated in 9 patients with symptomatic non sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) lower than 30%, respectively detected by Holter monitoring and radionuclide angiocardiography in basal conditions. Seven to eleven days after starting flecainide therapy (100 mg b.i.d.), Holter and radionuclide angiocardiography were repeated. In 56% of patients a ventricular premature beats (VPB) reduction more than 70% was obtained and total VPB suppression was achieved in 33% of patients. Total suppression of NSVT was obtained in 67% of patients; LVEF did not show significant changes. Thus, antiarrhythmic efficacy of flecainide resulted in agreement with the previous reports, whereas no patient developed signs or symptoms of heart failure or pro-arrhythmia.

[Fanconi's anemia: in vitro tests for the individualization of heterozygotes]. / Anemia di Fanconi: tests in vitro per l'individuazione degli eterozigoti.

Fanconi's anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive mutation associated with constitutional chromosome aberrations. Patient's cells show increased susceptibility to different mutagens, especially bifunctional alkylating agents. Asymptomatic heterozygotes have a population prevalence of 1 in 300, and have been considered at risk for cancers. It has also been shown that their cells are especially sensitive to some chemicals in vitro. Laboratory tests are presented and discussed which are adequate for FA heterozygotes identification and for understandings the basic defect of this mutation.