RESUMO
PURPOSE: Evidence of an increased diagnostic pressure on thyroid has emerged over the past decades. This study aimed to provide estimates of a wide spectrum of surveillance indicators for thyroid dysfunctions and diseases in Italy. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted in North-eastern Italy, including 11.7 million residents (20% of the total Italian population). Prescriptions for TSH testing, neck ultrasound or thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA), surgical procedures, and drugs for hypo- or hyperthyroidism were extracted from regional health databases. Proportions and rates of selected examinations were calculated from 2010 to 2017, overall and by sex, calendar years, age, and region. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2017 in North-eastern Italy, 24.5% of women and 9.8% of men received at least one TSH test yearly. In 2017, 7.1% of women and 1.5% of men were prescribed drugs for thyroid dysfunction, 94.6% of whom for hypothyroidism. Neck ultrasound examinations were performed yearly in 6.9% of women and 4.6% of men, with a nearly two-fold variation between areas. Thyroid FNA and thyroidectomies were three-fold more frequent in women (394 and 85 per 100,000) than in men (128 and 29 per 100,000) with a marked variation between areas. Both procedures decreased consistently after 2013. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this population-based study describe recent variations over time and between surrounding areas of indicators of 'diagnostic pressure' on thyroid in North-eastern Italy. These results emphasize the need to harmonize practices and to reduce some procedures (e.g., neck ultrasound and total thyroidectomies) in certain areas.
Assuntos
Biópsia por Agulha Fina , Doenças da Glândula Tireoide , Testes de Função Tireóidea , Glândula Tireoide , Tireoidectomia , Ultrassonografia , Adulto , Idoso , Biópsia por Agulha Fina/métodos , Biópsia por Agulha Fina/tendências , Feminino , Humanos , Itália/epidemiologia , Masculino , Uso Excessivo dos Serviços de Saúde/prevenção & controle , Uso Excessivo dos Serviços de Saúde/tendências , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Vigilância da População , Fatores Sexuais , Doenças da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico , Doenças da Glândula Tireoide/epidemiologia , Doenças da Glândula Tireoide/cirurgia , Testes de Função Tireóidea/métodos , Testes de Função Tireóidea/tendências , Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Glândula Tireoide/patologia , Tireoidectomia/métodos , Tireoidectomia/tendências , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Ultrassonografia/tendênciasRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study will investigate knowledge, attitude and practices towards heat-related health issues in a sample of safety representatives from Northern Italy (H&SRs). METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 2016-2017 among 298 H&SR. Knowledge status was measured both in general but as well and focusing on first-aid issues. Assessment of risk perception included severity and frequency of heat-related events. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed individual and work-related characteristics associated with H&SRs' risk perception. RESULTS: 258 questionnaires were retrieved (participation rate 86.6%; mean age 48.2 ± 8.4 years). Knowledge status was relatively good on technical/preventive issues (62.3% ± 16.8) and first aid measures (72.6% ± 27.2), but a large share of respondents ignored the risk from exertional heat stroke (35.9%), and for heat strokes elicited by non-environmental heat (e.g. machineries, use of protective equipment, etc. 47.9%). The majority of respondents acknowledged the high frequency of extreme events like heat waves (62.0%), but only 44.6% agreed on their potential health threat, with an unsatisfying cumulative risk perception score (55.4% ± 23.5). A specific first-aid formation course was reported by 49.2% of respondents, while 10.9% had any previous interaction with heat-related disorders. Specific countermeasures for heat waves had been put in place by parent company in 20.1% of cases. Eventually, higher educational achievements (mOR 2.239, 95% CI 1.184-4.233) and a better general knowledge status (mOR 1.703, 95% CI 1.073-2.979) were positive predictors for higher risk perception. CONCLUSIONS: Although H&SRs exhibited a good understanding of heat-related health issues, stakeholders should improve the implementation of specific countermeasures on the workplaces.
Assuntos
Mudança Climática , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Transtornos de Estresse por Calor , Saúde Ocupacional , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Itália , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Risco , Medição de Risco , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Agricultural Workers are both more exposed to tetanus and at higher risk to be inadequately immunized than other usual recipients of the same vaccine. STUDY DESIGN: Our cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate tetanus vaccination status, knowledge, attitudes and practices in Agricultural Workers in North-Eastern Italy. METHODS: Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify, from individual and work-related characteristics, factors significantly associated with appropriate vaccination status. RESULTS: Among 707 participants, 58.4% had an up-to-date immunization status. In 33.1%, last booster was performed by an Emergency Department. The main reason for inadequate immunization was having forgotten the recommended periodic booster (146/707; 20.7%). Attitude towards tetanus vaccination was somehow favourable in 79.5% of participants, and 72.7% correctly identified tetanus vaccination as mandatory for Agricultural Workers. A lower degree of false beliefs and better knowledge of official recommendations were significant predictors of vaccine propensity. The main predictor for an appropriate vaccination status was interaction with a healthcare provider, in general (adjusted Odds Ratio, adjOR 2.516 95%CI 1.707-3.710), and specifically regarding vaccine counseling, (adjOR 6.275 3.184-12.367 and adjOR 9.739 95%CI 3.933-24.111 for general practitioners and occupational physicians, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study enlightens the key role of healthcare providers in recalling and promoting vaccination policies, as well in increasing the general awareness of Agricultural Workers regarding vaccines and official recommendations.