Workplace Bullying in Italy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Within any work environment, employees may be affected by "workplace bullying", a form of violent and repeated social behavior towards subordinates and colleagues. This review aimed to investigate the prevalence of bullied workers in Italy, the causes of the phenomenon, and the consequences at physical, psychological, and organizational levels. METHODS: We included observational studies and systematic reviews examining the prevalence of bullied workers and the causes and consequences in Italian workplaces. Data extraction and analysis were performed on all included studies. The research strategy included three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). A comprehensive search was done to retrieve articles based on a PRISMA-compliant protocol registered in PROSPERO: CRD 42023394635. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four articles were retrieved, and once duplicates and irrelevant articles were removed, 42 useful articles were reviewed. The mean pooled prevalence, calculated based on workers complaining of mistreatment, was 6.7% (SD: 4,09) and increased significantly to 17.0% (SD: 12.88) when considering only healthcare workplaces. Causes include how impaired mental health and high workload reinforce the possibility of being bullied in the workplace, resulting in a worsening of the worker's quality of life (physical and psychological) and the work organization with increased absenteeism and job changes. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace bullying is a very present phenomenon within workplaces in Italy. In light of this, it is necessary to put prevention plans in place and find solutions to maintain optimal organizational well-being in the work environment.

The Possible Protective Effect of Hepatitis B Vaccine against Lymphomas: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, the possible etiological role of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the outbreak of extrahepatic pathologies has been studied, including lymphomas. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 257 million people live with chronic HBV infection, and to date, the vaccine is the most effective means of prevention. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to evaluate whether the vaccination against Hepatitis B can lead to a reduction in lymphoma cases and has a protective role. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in April 2020 using the databases Scopus, PubMed, and ISI Web of Science. Search terms included: "Hepatitis B vaccination AND lymphoma." All articles evaluating the association between Hepatitis B vaccination and the prevention of lymphoma were selected. No limits were applied. RESULTS: Eight studies were eligible to be included in the review. Data showed that association between lymphoma and HBV infection is not the same for all types of lymphomas, but it appears to be more significant for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). The results from all the considered articles were not unitary. This is because studies were conducted in different countries with different endemicity of Hepatitis B, different vaccination coverage, treatment of chronic Hepatitis, and prevention of its complications, as well as the availability of data for researchers. No statistically significant association was found between HBV vaccination and the development of lymphomas. CONCLUSION: Although the literature is still largely lacking regarding the protective effect of anti- HBV vaccination on lymphoma subtypes, the association between HBV infection and lymphoma has been confirmed in several studies. Vaccination programs eliminate the risk of HBV infection and prevent liver disease but can also indirectly reduce the risk of lymphomas.

Perceived work ability and work-family conflict in healthcare workers: An observational study in a teaching hospital in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the variables associated with work ability, work-family conflict and the relationship between these variables. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted and involved 436 employees of a Teaching Hospital in Rome. Data collection was performed using the following tools: the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Work-to-family conflict and Family-to-work conflict Scale (WFC-FWC Scale). Data were analyzed through univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate linear regression, using the SPSS software version 25. RESULTS: A direct relationship of the WFC score with two variables (female gender and physicians) and an inverse relationship with other two variables (age and administrative staff) were found. There is a direct relationship between the FWC score and the variable "having sons". The WFC and FWC scores showed a direct relationship between them. The Work Ability presented an almost significant association only with the profession variable, in which administrative staff, followed by physicians, presented a higher WAI score with respect to other professional categories, such as nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Wellbeing intervention for health workers should be directed mainly to women, older workers and those with sons. In addition, more attention should be given to nurses, who showed lower work ability scores.