Menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccine administration: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: During the mass vaccination campaign for COVID-19, cases of menstrual cycle changes in women emerged, so it was thought that the COVID-19 vaccine could affect the menstrual cycle. Over time, these observations have become more frequent, which strengthens the idea. This systematic review aims to show changes in the menstrual cycle after COVID-19 vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out following the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. RESULTS: A suitable bibliography on PubMed/Medline and Scopus was searched by combining text, words, and titles of medical topics. After completing the search, a total of 42 articles were included in this systematic review. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 vaccines may have an impact on the quality of life of women. The changes in the menstrual cycle tend to resolve within 2-3 months of vaccination and the symptoms are mild to moderate and tend to self-limit over time.

Adverse events following immunization and vaccine perception in nursing students.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccines are one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions of modern times. This cross-sectional study investigated the perception of vaccinations and potential risks of adverse events following immunization among nursing students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students undertaking a nursing degree course at the University of Palermo. This questionnaire consisted of three sections: the first part focused on socio-demographic information; the second part contained one question regarding the terms associated with vaccination; and the third part posed a question regarding adverse reactions after immunization. A multivariable logistic regression model was used and adjusted Odds Ratios will be presented in this paper. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 403 students and the mean age was 22.0 years (±3.0). Having considered the dependent variable "Have you ever had adverse reactions after being vaccinated? Moderate-severe", the statistically-significant independent variables were: the second (adjusted Odds Ratios 0.32) and third (adjusted Odds Ratios 0.18) years of study, the nursing students perceiving their economic and health status to be low (adjusted Odds Ratios 3.52 and 15.92 respectively). The following items from questionnaire were found to be associated with the term vaccination: "I associate the term vaccination with fear" (adjusted Odds Ratios 4.98) and "I do not associate the term vaccination with fighting illnesses" (adjusted Odds Ratios 10.02). CONCLUSION: Although vaccines are generally safe if used correctly, no vaccination is completely risk-free. There was a general awareness of adverse events following immunization among nursing students in this study. The future healthcare workers have been identified as the most important information source regarding potential solutions in a rapidly evolving health scenario in fighting vaccine hesitancy.

Gambling in nursing students of the University of Palermo.

INTRODUCTION: Gambling disorder is recognized as a psychiatric disorder. It is shown that the prevalence of pathological gambling is on the rise among university students, especially involving students attending the nursing degree course. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of gambling's problem and to analyze the associated factors in the population of nursing students at the University of Palermo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It's a cross-sectional study. In April 2019, a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire was provided to students who attend daily lessons of the 3-years nursing degree course of University of Palermo, after they gave informed consent. The questionnaire investigates on socio-demographic information, year of study, the perception of the economic and health status, alcohol use disorders and gambling problems. RESULTS: The average age of the sample is 22.0 years (standard deviation ±4.3), 67.6% of the interviewees are women. The analysis shows that the risk to be "Player at risk/Moderate gambling problems/Serious game problems" is significantly associated with the following independent variables: male gender (aOR 5.15); "Do you live with your family? No" (aOR 2.98); "perceived health status: low" (aOR 2.51); "Risky consumption of alcohol: At Risk" (aOR 3.40). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to develop an effective gambling prevention program that will reduce the risk that youths will develop gambling problems. Participation in the prevention program significantly improves youths' attitudes and knowledge regarding gambling activities.

Why nursing students have sex without condom? A study in the university of Palermo.

AIMS: Evaluation of the knowledge and behavioral risks related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the student population of the degree course in nursing at the University of Palermo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An anonymous online a survey was provided to students that investigate to socio-demographic information, sexual habits and the level of knowledge of the STIs. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, considering it as a dependent variable "Do you permanently have unprotected sex (without a condom)? Yes", in order to evaluate the role of the variables of the questionnaire. Results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR). RESULTS: The sample size consists of 405. The average age of the sample is 21.65 years (standard deviation±3.24). The analysis shows that the risk of having permanently unprotected sex (without condom) is significantly associated with the following variables: "Are you engaged or single? Engaged" (aOR 3.24, 95% CI 1.66 - 6.33); "Sexual orientation. Homosexual or Bisexual (aOR 4.45, 95% CI 1.30 - 15.29); "Have you occasionally had unprotected sex (without a condom)? Yes" (aOR 5.09, 95% CI 2.69 - 9.62); "How would you define your knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases? Good" (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.05 - 4.08); "How would you define your knowledge about contraceptive methods? Good" (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.23 - 5.15); "Have you or have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease? Yes (aOR 4.43, 95% CI 1.71 - 11.53); "Do you know that men can also undergo HPV vaccination? Yes" (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.03 - 6.40); "Age. As the unit increase" (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.26). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of involving university students in programs aimed at improving the knowledge in terms of STIs and increase of Sexual and reproductive health. Further, because STIs prevention is based mainly on human behavior, tailored intervention is needed especially because behavior change remains a complex challenge.

Smoking behaviour among nursing students: attitudes toward smoking cessation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to assess tobacco smoking habits among nursing students and how these are influenced by family members and cohabitants. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. An anonymous paper questionnaire was administered to nursing students of the three-year course of the University of Palermo. Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) are presented. RESULTS: 301 nursing students (63.12 % female) completed the questionnaire (response rate 61.17%). The average age of the sample is 21.88 years (SD ± 2.80). Considering as a dependent variable: "I currently smoke", the statistically significant independent variables associated are: "Male gender" (aOR 2.09), "Single" (aOR 2.06), "Second year of study of the degree course in nursing" (aOR 0.46), "Third year of study of the degree course in nursing" (aOR 0.43), "Don't think that warnings and pictures on cigarette packs can help stop smoking" (aOR 6.38), "Mother smoked in the past" (aOR 2.25) and "Brother or sister smoked in the past" (aOR 5.50). CONCLUSIONS: Students and graduate nurses need to be aware of current knowledge in the smoking cessation field and they have an influential role in modifying patient behavior in order to assist them to smoking cessation.