The multiscale nexus among land use-land cover changes and water quality in the Suquía River Basin, a semi-arid region of Argentina.

Agricultural intensification and urban sprawl have led to significant alterations in riverscapes, and one of the critical consequences is the deterioration of water quality with significant implications for public health. Therefore, the objectives of this study were the assessment of the water quality of the Suquía River, the assessment of LULC change at different spatial scales, and the analysis of the potential seasonal correlation among LULC change and Water Quality Index (WQI). The Sample Sites (SS) 1 and 2 before Cordoba city had the highest WQI values while from SS3 the WQI decreased, with the lowest WQI close to the wastewater treatment plant (SS7) after Cordoba city. From SS8 in a agricultural context, the WQI increases but does not reach the original values. In light of analysis carried out, the correlation between water quality variables and the different LULC classes at the local and regional scales demonstrated that WQI is negatively affected by agricultural and urban activities, while natural classes impacted positively. The spatialization of the results can help strongly in assessing and managing the diffusion of point and non-point pollution along the riverscape. The knowledge gained from this research can play a crucial role in water resources management, which supports the provision of river ecosystem services essential for the well-being of local populations.

Maternal Concerns in Home Care for the Premature Newborn: An Integrative Review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze the scientific literature, both national and international, concerning the primary maternal concerns about caring for premature newborns at home. METHODS: This integrative review is based on the guiding question: "What scientific publications from 2012 to 2021 address maternal concerns about the care of premature newborns at home?". Searches were conducted in the electronic databases: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo, and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were identified. The qualitative analysis showed that maternal concerns pertained to breastfeeding, hygiene, sunbathing practices, managing infant colic, identifying signs, symptoms, and clinical changes, temperature control, and the third phase of the kangaroo method. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal uncertainties underscore the importance of enhancing strategies focused on supporting families and ensuring continued care for neonates at home.

Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI): Italian Translation and Validation.

Food selectivity is among the most common problems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aims to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in an Italian population of children with ASD. BAMBI was translated and cross-culturally adapted following international guidelines, then we investigated internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability, as measured by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in a sample of both children with ASD and with typical development (TD). A total of 131 children were recruited in a clinical and community sample. Internal consistency revealed significant data for both TD and ASD children, with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.86 and 0.71, respectively. Test-retest reliability showed excellent values for each item of the BAMBI (range 0.83-1.00). Furthermore, we investigated differences in gender and body max index; however, no significant differences were found among groups. In conclusion, the Italian version of the BAMBI showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability and it can be used for clinical and research purposes.

Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Child with Leukodystrophy: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: There are many different types of Leukodystrophies. Specifically, children with hypomyelination and congenital cataract syndrome (HCC) in addition to motor retardation development, hypotonia and progressive spastic paraplegia, associated with cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy, have early bilateral cataracts and intellectual disability as pathognomonic symptoms. HCC rehabilitation treatment is not well defined, but a significant amount of evidence in the literature has demonstrated the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) treatment in children with similar symptomatology. For this reason, the aim of this study was to describe the improvement in the autonomies and social participation of a child with HCC following OT treatment. METHODS: A.E. was a 9-year-old child with HCC with severe intellectual disability. OT intervention lasted 3 months biweekly and each session lasted 45 min. Each session was divided into two parts: The first part aimed to increase the child's active involvement through activities; the second part involved training in Activities of Daily living (ADL). The outcome measures were: ABILHAND-Kids; Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Comprehensive OT Evaluation Scale; ADL and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. RESULTS: A.E.'s outcome measure reported an improvement from an autonomy standpoint and in the child's general activity participation; there was also an increase in A.E.'s interpersonal skills. CONCLUSION: OT treatment improved A.E.'s autonomy.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (NFOG-Q-IT) in people with Parkinson disease: a validity and reliability study.

INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a challenging clinical symptom to assess, due to its episodic nature. A valid and reliable tool is the New FOG Questionnaire (NFOG-Q) used worldwide to measure FOG symptoms in PD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate, to culturally adapt, and to test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the NFOG-Q (NFOG-Q-It). METHODS: The translation and cultural adaptation was based on ISPOR TCA guidelines to finalize the 9-item NFOG-Q-It. Internal consistency was assessed in 181 Italian PD native speakers who experienced FOG using Cronbach's alpha. Cross-cultural analysis was tested using the Spearman's correlation between the NFOG-Q-It and the Modified Hoehn-Yahr Scale (M-H&Y). To assess construct validity, correlations among NFOG-Q-It, Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), the 6-min Walking Test (6MWT), the Mini Balance Evaluation System Test (Mini-BESTest) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were investigated. RESULTS: The Italian N-FOGQ had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.859). Validity analysis showed significant correlations between NFOG-Q-IT total score and M-H&Y scores (r = 0.281 p < 0.001), MDS-UPDRS (r = 0.359 p < 0.001), FES-I (r = 0.230 p = 0.002), Mini BESTest (r = -0.256 p = 0.001) and 6MWT (r = -0.166 p = 0.026). No significant correlations were found with SPPB, MOCA and MMSE. CONCLUSION: The NFOG-It is a valuable and reliable tool for assessing FOG symptoms, duration and frequency in PD subjects. Results provide the validity of NFOG-Q-It by reproducing and enlarging previous psychometric data.

Emotional Regulation Interventions on Developmental Course for Preterm Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials.

Children born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) are at increased risk of socio-emotional difficulties. This study aims to determine the effects of rehabilitation intervention on the emotional regulation of children born preterm through a systematic review. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. The literature screening was carried out on PUBMED, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE in August 2022. An author identified eligible studies based on predefined inclusion criteria and extracted the data. RCT quality was assessed using the JADAD and PEDro scales. We selected five RCTs for qualitative synthesis, having the common objective of evaluating the changes in emotional regulation after a rehabilitation intervention. Evidence of benefits was found after parent training intervention (PCIT; p < 0.05). Moreover, there was an improvement in day-to-day executive life and fewer behavioral problems after mindfulness intervention. Clinical, but not statistical, efficacy was found for the group-based physiotherapy intervention. In conclusion, parent training and mindfulness interventions can be helpful rehabilitation techniques, but the relatively small sample limited statistical power, so the discovery needs to be interpreted cautiously. Further research on these aspects is recommended.

Validation and Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of Two Irritability-Measuring Tools: The Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) and the Born-Steiner Irritability Scale (BSIS) in the Italian Adult and Adolescent Populations.

Irritability is a transdiagnostic symptom that affects quality of life during the lifespan of individuals. The objective of the present research was to validate two assessment tools, namely the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) and the Born-Steiner Irritability Scale (BSIS). We investigated internal consistency as measured with Cronbach's alpha, test-retest with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and convergent validity confronting ARI and BSIS scores with the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Our results revealed ARI good internal consistency with a Cronbach's α of 0.79 for adolescent and 0.78 for adults. The BSIS also demonstrated good internal consistency for both samples with Cronbach's α = 0.87. Test-retest analysis showed excellent values for both tools. Convergent validity showed positive and significant correlation with SDW, albeit weak for some sub-scales. In conclusion, we found ARI and BSIS to be good tools for measuring irritability in adolescents and adults, and now, Italian healthcare professionals can use it with more confidence.

Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the StimQ for Use with Italian Children from Kindergartens.

The StimQ questionnaire is used to assess the home environment of children. The questionnaire is comprised of four subscales, and it was completed by the main caregiver. The items were different considering the band ages of the children: infants (5-12 months), toddlers (12-36 months), and preschoolers (36-72 months). The aim of the study was to translate, transculturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the StimQ. To achieve this goal, a sample of 142 children was recruited from different kindergartens. The mean age of the group was 30.63 (SD 19.56), and 112 of them were female. The main caregiver was the mother in 95% of the cases. The Cronbach's alfa was excellent, considering the total score (0.82 for infants, 0.85 for toddlers, and 0.86 for preschoolers). Intrarater reliability was performed by administering the questionnaire after 48 h and by two different researchers. Both analyses showed an excellent reliability for the total score and all the subscales. The intrarater reliability was 0.99 for the infant, 1 for the toddler and 0.99 for the preschooler age groups. The interrater reliability was 0.95 for the infant, 0.93 for the toddler, and 0.97 for the preschooler age groups. The StimQ is a reliable questionnaire that could be helpful for clinicians and researchers who work with children in Italy.

The Italian version of the General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS-IT): Psychometric properties in a sample with hip and knee replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To use the Italian version of the General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS-IT) to assess the psychometric properties in a sample of orthopedic patients. METHODS: Participants were divided into sleepless and non-sleepless according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. To evaluate responsiveness, the scale was administered a second time after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The scale was administered to the 158 patients recruited. The GSDS-IT had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α of 0.752) and good responsiveness (ICC of 0.78). The optimal cut-off point for the GSDS-IT was 48.5. CONCLUSION: The GSDS-IT was demonstrated to be a valid and rapid tool to detect the presence of sleep disorders in a clinical setting in patients admitted to an intensive care unit and allowed the detection of the onset one week after admission and persisting until the time of discharge.

Maternal Concerns in Home Care for the Premature Newborn: An Integrative Review / Inquietudes Maternas en el Cuidado Domiciliario del Recién Nacido Prematuro: Una Revisión Integradora / Dúvidas maternas no cuidado domiciliar ao recém-nascido prematuro: uma revisão integrativa

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and analyze the scientific literature, both national and international, concerning the primary maternal concerns about caring for premature newborns at home. Methods: This integrative review is based on the guiding question: "What scientific publications from 2012 to 2021 address maternal concerns about the care of premature newborns at home?". Searches were conducted in the electronic databases: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo, and Cochrane Library. Results: A total of 21 articles were identified. The qualitative analysis showed that maternal concerns pertained to breastfeeding, hygiene, sunbathing practices, managing infant colic, identifying signs, symptoms, and clinical changes, temperature control, and the third phase of the kangaroo method. Conclusions: Maternal uncertainties underscore the importance of enhancing strategies focused on supporting families and ensuring continued care for neonates at home.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar y analizar las producciones científicas disponibles en la literatura nacional e internacional sobre las principales inquietudes maternas en el cuidado del recién nacido prematuro en el hogar. Métodos: Estudio de revisión integradora, fundamentado en la pregunta guía: "¿Cuáles son las producciones científicas publicadas en el período de 2012 a 2021 sobre las inquietudes maternas en el cuidado del recién nacido prematuro en el hogar?". Las búsquedas se realizaron en las bases electrónicas: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo y Cochrane Library. Resultados: Se identificaron 21 artículos. El análisis cualitativo reveló que las inquietudes maternas estaban relacionadas con la lactancia materna, higiene, práctica de baños de sol, comportamiento ante el cólico del bebé, identificación de signos, síntomas y cambios clínicos, control térmico y a la tercera etapa del método canguro. Conclusiones: Las incertidumbres maternas resaltaron la importancia de mejorar las estrategias dirigidas al apoyo familiar y a la continuidad del cuidado del neonato en el hogar.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar e analisar as produções científicas disponíveis na literatura nacional e internacional sobre as principais dúvidas maternas no cuidado ao recém-nascido prematuro em domicílio. Métodos: Estudo de revisão integrativa, fundamentado na questão norteadora: "Quais são as produções científicas publicadas no período de 2012 a 2021 sobre as dúvidas maternas no cuidado ao recém-nascido prematuro em domicílio?". As buscas foram realizadas nas bases eletrônicas: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo e Cochrane Library. Resultados: Foram identificados 21 artigos. A análise qualitativa revelou que as dúvidas maternas estavam relacionadas ao aleitamento materno, higiene, prática de banho de sol, conduta em relação à cólica do bebê, identificação de sinais, sintomas e alterações clínicas, controle térmico e à terceira etapa do método canguru. Conclusões: As incertezas maternas destacaram a importância do aprimoramento das estratégias voltadas para o apoio à família e à continuidade do cuidado ao neonato em domicílio.

Measuring Disability among Migrants with Washington Group Tools: Reflections for Field Use.

Measuring disability among migrants is a significant challenge; however, there is no consensus on how to measure disability and functional limitations. The present study reports a methodological approach to measure disability in refugees and asylum seekers using Washington Group (WG) tools, namely the WG Short Set (WG-SS), the Short Set Enhanced (WG-SS-E), and the Extended Set on Functioning (WG-ES). We interviewed 161 migrants in different regions of Italy. The recommended threshold for each WG tool was used. We identified 13.7% of migrants with disabilities using the WG-SS, 21.7% using the WG-SS-E, and 31.6% using the WG-ES. Anxiety and depression were the main weights to identify migrants with disabilities (11.8%). The WG-SS does not measure mental health, and therefore we do not suggest its use in the field. However, the WG-SS-E, together with some questions on pain and fatigue, should be considered to identify migrants with a greater risk of disability.

Early Neuro-Psychomotor Therapy Intervention for Theory of Mind and Emotion Recognition in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Pilot Study.

The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of early neuro-psychomotor therapy to improve theory of mind skills and emotion recognition in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. A pilot study was set up, consisting of in-group training activities based on the neuro-psychomotor approach. Children were evaluated using Neuropsychological Assessment for Child (Nepsy-II), Test of Emotion Comprehension (TEC), and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). For data analysis, one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test was used with a significance of p < 0.05. Two children with a developmental language disorder and four children with autism spectrum disorders participated in a 3-month training program. Our findings revealed significant improvement in emotion recognition, as measured with Nepsy-II (p = 0.04), while no statistical improvement was found for theory of mind. Despite the limited sample, early neuro-psychomotor therapy improves emotion recognition skills in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, considering the explorative nature of the study, findings should be interpreted with caution.

Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children: Italian Validation in Autism Spectrum Disorder Population.

Sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are well-described. However, there is a lack of specific assessment tools to investigate sleep disturbance in this target population. The present investigation reports the Italian validation of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) in the ASD population, also investigating the correlation between sleep disorders In both children and parents. Internal consistency and test−retest reliability were investigated using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Concurrent validity was analyzed by comparing the score of the SDSC with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while the correlation between the SDCS score and the General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS) was used to analyze the correlation between sleep disorders in children and sleep disorders in their parents. In total, 99 children with a diagnosis of ASD participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha revealed satisfactory value (0.853), as well as reliability (ICC 0.972) and concurrent validity (0.745). Our results also revealed a significant linear correlation between children's and parents' sleep disorders (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we found the SDSC to be a useful tool for measuring sleep disorders in ASD children. Our findings offer concrete inputs to achieve adequate pathways for taking care of children with ASDs and their parents.

Italian Validation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in a Population of Healthy Children: A Cross Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are one of the most discussed topics in scientific literature every year. Although they are one of the most studied topics, in both adults and children, knowledge of sleep disorders and their treatment is still not completely clear, and there is a need to deepen and analyze these disorders on a country-by-country basis. However, research in the Italian literature reveals a scarce quantity of tools to evaluate sleep quality in children. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is probably the most commonly used retrospective self-assessment questionnaire in the adult population. PURPOSE: We aimed to validate and analyze the psychometric characteristics of this tool in order to detect and explore the presence of sleep disorders in a healthy Italian population of children throughout the country. METHODS: Individuals aged between 3 and 16 years without symptoms of insomnia were included in this study. The reliability and construct validity of the PSQI were assessed according to Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines. RESULTS: We enrolled 222 individuals in this study (mean age 11 years). The PSQI demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.719). Test-retest reliability was assessed on a randomized subgroup of the sample (n = 35). The PSQI showed good test-retest reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.829 for the total score (95% confidence interval: 0.662-0.914). The Pearson correlation coefficient, used for construct validity, showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). CONCLUSION: The PSQI proved to be a very reliable and valid tool to investigate sleep experiences in children.

Italian Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire Revised (THPQ-R) in Typically Developing Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire Revised (THPQ-R) identifies sensory integration issues in children with defecation problems. Sensory integration issues are recognized as a factor linked to some defecation disorders and identifying such issues is needed to guide the development of an appropriate intervention. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the THPQ-R in a population of typically developing (TD) Italian children by measuring its internal consistency and cross-cultural validity. The translation and cultural adaptation were performed according to international guidelines. The questionnaire was administered to the caregivers of TD children, and the analysis was performed on data obtained from 118 TD children. The construct validity of the scale was calculated through the exploratory factor analysis that indicated two factors; Cronbach's alpha was calculated for internal consistency and showed a value >0.7, demonstrating good internal consistency. Cross-cultural validity was also analyzed and showed higher levels of defecation problems at age 5 years. Italian occupational therapists now have a tool to assess possible sensory issues linked to defecation disorders in children aged 3 to 6 years, which may promote more effective clinical practice in this area. Moreover, it will be possible to compare the results obtained from studies conducted in Italy with those conducted in other countries.

Evaluation of test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Italian version of the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory in children with down syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Down Syndrome (DS) is a common genetic disorder caused by trisomy 21. Due to cognitive challenges associated with DS, individuals often experience difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs), at levels that can range from mild to significant. This study aimed to measure psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-I) in the DS population. METHODS: The PEDI-I was administered to children with DS. The internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's Alpha. Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. The concurrent validity was evaluated with the Italian version of the Barthel Index. RESULTS: The PEDI-I was administered to 54 children with DS. Cronbach's Alpha showed statistically significant values (0.899 -0.986). The ICC confirmed the reproducibility of the scale with a range of (0.988 -1), while Bland-Altman plots showed a smallest detectable change of (0.18-1.63). The Pearson Correlation Coefficient with the Barthel Index showed statistically significant values for all PEDI-I subscales (range 0.75-0.95). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence of good test-retest reliability and convergent validity when used in children with DS. Other psychometric proprieties need to be investigated in future studies.

Psychometric properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire - Revised (CIQ-R) in an Italian population with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Psychometric study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the Community Integration Questionnaire - Revised (CIQ-R) in Italian individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Patients' associations, foundations, sport clubs, and federations in Italy. METHODS: The psychometric properties were evaluated following international guidelines. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α) coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); concurrent validity was assessed through Pearson's Correlation Coefficient with the Short Form-12 health survey (SF-12). RESULTS: The test was administered to 80 people with SCI. Cronbach's α showed a value of 0.825 for the Home Integration subscale, while the other subscales and the total showed values <0.70. 30 of the 80 recruited individuals were submitted to test-retest, which showed ICC values ranging from 0.94 to 1. CIQ-R also showed a correlation between Physical Component Summary (PCS12) of the SF-12, and between Social Integration subscale's score and PCS12 and Mental Component Summary (MCS12). Correlations are also shown between Productivity subscale and PCS12 and MCS12, as well as between the total score and PCS12 and MCS12. CONCLUSION: This study provided Italian clinicians and researchers with the first international outcome measure for measuring community integration. The validation of this measurement tool for people with SCI allows to compare outcomes of various studies. It is useful for testing the effectiveness of a treatment in various diseases and define which treatment is more effective than others.

The functional manual therapy intervention in infants with non-synostotic plagiocephaly: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to document the evolution of cranial asymmetries in infants with signs of nonsynostotic occipital plagiocephaly (NSOP) who underwent to many functional manual therapy treatments (in addition to the standard positioning recommendations); as well as to determine the feasibility of this methodology to conduct outcome research investigating the impact of this intervention for infants with NSOP. METHODS: This is a pilot clinical standardization project using pre-post design in which 10 infants participated. Nine infants presented an initial Oblique Diameter Difference Index (ODDI) (over 104%), three an initial Ear Deviation Index (EDI) (over 4%), and three a Cranial Proportional Index (CPI) (over 90%). Infants received three functional manual therapy treatments for week during the first month of intervention and two for week during the second month. RESULTS: Plagiocephalometric measurements were administered at the first assessment preintervention (T0), after 30 days (±5) (T1) and at a third time after 60 days (±5) of treatment (T2). Nine out of ten participants showed a significant decrease in ODDI under 104% between T0 and T2 assessments. Five out of ten infants showed an EDI under 4%, and 3/10 showed a value about 0%. 3/10 maintained their CPI over 90% with a considerable decrease. CONCLUSIONS: These clinical findings support the hypothesis that functional manual therapy treatments contribute to the improvement of cranial asymmetries in infants younger than 6.5 months old presenting with NSOP.

Development of the Pregnancy and Motherhood Evaluation Questionnaire (PMEQ) for evaluating and measuring the impact of physical disability on pregnancy and the management of motherhood: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire that allows researchers to investigate and measure the impact of physical disability on pregnancy and the management of motherhood. Such a questionnaire requires good internal consistency. METHODS: The tool was developed following a study conducted in 2013 in the United States consisting of a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions. A team of three experts drafted and refined the questions, generating 31 retrospective, self-rated, and predefined questions (answered using a 5-point Likert scale). A statistical analysis of the instrument was also included, to assess its reliability and internal consistency. RESULTS: The Pregnancy and Motherhood Evaluation Questionnaire (PMEQ) was prepared. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of an initial section and three subscales. In this phase of the study, 35 women with different pathologies leading to physical disability were recruited and completed the questionnaire. The PMEQ was found to have a good internal consistency. Cronbach's α was 0.812 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The PMEQ has proven to be a valid, reliable, and rapid administrative tool useful for investigating and measuring the impact of physical disability on the management of pregnancy and motherhood.IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONThis study provides researchers and clinicians a new tool for the evaluation of motherhood and pregnancy in women with physical disabilities.The PMEQ has proven to be a valid, reliable, and rapid administrative tool (10 min) useful for investigating and measuring the impact of physical disability on the management of pregnancy and motherhood.It is a new tool useful in both clinical and research practice to underline the importance of carrying out preventive and woman-centered assistance interventions.This tool is useful for promoting the autonomous management of pregnancy and motherhood in women with physical disabilities, and improving these women's quality of life and sense of satisfaction and competence in managing maternal tasks.

Fighting COVID-19 Contagion among University Students of Healthcare Professions: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

During the pandemic, most governments around the world temporarily closed educational institutions to contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of an e-learning course on COVID-19 transmission for healthcare university students, in order to advance the preparedness of healthcare university students against contracting COVID-19 within the general university population. The e-learning course was run using a free web service for education. Access to the course was limited to participants enrolled in degree courses related to healthcare professions within the Italian university system. A specific and validated questionnaire was administered at two different times (pre-test and post-test). A paired sample t-test was then used to evaluate their knowledge on COVID-19. Furthermore, a questionnaire measuring their satisfaction was distributed. Data were analyzed from a qualitative point of view. The course was made available from March to July 2020. Over 25,000 students from different Italian universities and various backgrounds participated in the course. The analysis of final test scores revealed that approximately 97% of participants acquired new knowledge and skills on COVID-19, with a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is possible to state that most students enrolled in degrees relating to healthcare at Italian universities are adequately trained with respect to COVID-19 knowledge. Furthermore, students declared a high satisfaction rate both with the course content, and with the management of the telematic platform used.