Iodine deficiency in pregnancy: Still a health issue for the women of Cassino city, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders recommend a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in pregnant women between 150 µg/L and 249 µg/L. In the present study, we evaluated whether in the urban area of Cassino (central Italy), after a national salt iodination program (30 mg/kg) was introduced in 2005, the increased demand of iodine during pregnancy was satisfied. METHODS: Between January 2016 and April 2017, 99 pregnant women were enrolled to evaluate UIC in spot urine samples, serum level of thyrotropin, free thyroxine, antithyroglobulin and antithyroperoxidase autoantibodies, and thyroid volume by ultrasonography. Eighty clinically healthy non-pregnant women were evaluated as controls. RESULTS: The median UIC was of 97.7 µg/L and 110.3 µg/L, respectively, in control and pregnant women. A significant increase (P < 0.001) of median thyroid volume was found in pregnant women, relative to control women, being, respectively, 10.4 mL (range 3.68-19.49 mL) and 7.16 mL (range 2.57-14.00 mL). A positive correlation was found between thyroid volume and anthropometric parameters, and an inverse correlation was identified between free thyroxine serum levels and anthropometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study found that the majority of pregnant women and their fetuses appear not to be protected from the detrimental consequences of iodine deficiency. Therefore, the identification of new strategies to increase the knowledge and awareness of the general population regarding the beneficial effects of iodine supplementation during pregnancy is highly required.

[Teaching nursing research at bachelor and second level degree: opinions of nursing associate professors and nursing researchers]. / L'insegnamento della ricerca infermieristica nel corso di laurea e laurea specialistica: le opinioni dei professori associati e dei ricercatori di scienze infermieristiche.

Nursing research is a systematic and very important enquiry for improving clients' quality of life and effective and efficient nursing care. National and international literature state that all nurses should have knowledge and responsibilities in research which are different in relation to their educational level. The aim of the present study was to collect opinions of the new professors in nursing about objectives, contents and methods for teaching nursing research at Bachelor and Master Degree. The sample was made of nine participants who were interviewed by twenty questions sent by e-mail. The interviews were analysed using quantitative-descriptive and qualitative-phenomenological methods (triangulation). Interviews revealed that Bachelor students should be educated to retrieve and criticise scientific literature, to apply research finding in practice and to collaborate in research studies; Master students should improve knowledge of Bachelor degree and be able to design and conduct research studies. Participants emphasised the importance of using active methodologies for teaching and to involve students in research. By analysing the literature and the results of the present study educational objectives for teaching nursing research at Bachelor and Master degree are defined.