Quali sono la conoscenza, l'attitudine e la percezione dei rischi alimentari nei giovani adulti? Un'indagine effettuata in Italia.

BACKGROUND: in recent years, food safety has become increasingly important and a public health priority, especially in developed and rich countries. OBJECTIVES: to investigate knowledge and perception of food risk among young adults and the related behaviours. DESIGN: observational study conducted from March to October 2022 through the administration of an anonymous questionnaire based on multiple-choice questions spread online through social networks. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 317 men and women with a mean age of 23.6 ± 6.7 (71% F, 29% M), mainly students, who filled the questionnaire and gave their consent to the use of personal data for the purpose of scientific research. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: knowledge, attitudes, and perception of food risk in the target population. RESULTS: the majority think that food safety is very important to their health. The most perceived food risks are the presence of pesticides, bacterial and viral contamination, residuals of antibiotics and/or hormones, and microplastics. More than half believes to be poorly informed about the risk associated with food consumption. There is a high level of trust in data from scientific evidence and physicians and a low level of trust in data from European institutions and the Italian government. Almost everyone thinks that public authorities should provide more information. CONCLUSIONS: these data show a good knowledge of the importance of food safety for health; nevertheless, the majority does not feel well informed. The evaluation of the risk perception and of the factors influencing it is important for the success of the information/communication about food safety and for the consumer empowerment.

A Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Study on Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multicentric Italian Survey Insights.

In January 2020, Chinese health authorities identified a novel coronavirus strain never before isolated in humans. It quickly spread across the world, and was eventually declared a pandemic, leading to about 310 million confirmed cases and to 5,497,113 deaths (data as of 11 January 2022). Influenza viruses affect millions of people during cold seasons, with high impacts, in terms of mortality and morbidity. Patients with comorbidities are at a higher risk of acquiring severe problems due to COVID-19 and the flu-infections that could impact their underlying clinical conditions. In the present study, knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of the general population regarding COVID-19 and influenza immunization were evaluated. A multicenter, web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between 10 February and 12 July 2020, during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections among the general population in Italy. A sample of 4116 questionnaires was collected at the end of the study period. Overall, 17.5% of respondents stated that it was unlikely that they would accept a future COVID-19 vaccine (n = 720). Reasons behind vaccine refusal/indecision were mainly a lack of trust in the vaccine (41.1%), the fear of side effects (23.4%), or a lack of perception of susceptibility to the disease (17.1%). More than 50% (53.8%; n = 2214) of the sample participants were willing to receive flu vaccinations in the forthcoming vaccination campaign, but only 28.2% of cases had received it at least once in the previous five seasons. A higher knowledge score about SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and at least one flu vaccination during previous influenza seasons were significantly associated with the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza. The continuous study of factors, determining vaccination acceptance and hesitancy, is fundamental in the current context, in regard to improve vaccination confidence and adherence rates against vaccine preventable diseases.

Health literacy in Mediterranean general population.

Introduction: Health literacy refers to "the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and access health services in order to make informed choices." In essence, being able to acquire, understand, and use information for one's own health. Methods: Observational study through the administration of a face-to-face questionnaire conducted between July and September 2020 on 260 individuals residing between Calabria and Sicily, aged between 18 and 89 years. Questions related to education, lifestyle (alcohol, smoking, and physical activity). Multiple-choice questions to assess health literacy and conceptual skills, ability to find information on health topics and services, use of preventive medicine especially vaccinations, and ability to make decisions about one's own health. Results: Of 260, 43% were male and 57% female. The most represented age group is between 50 and 59 years. Forty-eight percent of respondents had a high school diploma. 39% smoke and 32% habitually consume alcoholic beverages; only 40% engage in physical activity. Ten percent had a low level of health literacy, average 55%, and adequate 35%. Conclusions: Given the importance of adequate HL on health choices and on individual and public wellbeing, it is essential to expand the knowledge of the individual, through public and private information campaigns and with an increasing involvement of family physicians, who are fundamental in training and informing their patients.

COVID-19 serological evaluation in a cohort of Vaccinated and Seropositive healthcare workers.

INTRODUCTION: Severe Acquired Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection represents an unprecedented public health problem and, at present, vaccination is the only weapon available to combat the infection. The simplest and most immediate method to quantify the response of the subject's immune system to vaccination and / or infection is the serological assessment of the antibody titer. The objective of our study was 1) to evaluate the presence of antibody responses in a sample of healthcare workers subjected to a complete vaccination course as per ministerial provisions (double dose for negatives and single dose for ex-SARS-CoV subjects -2 positive) with Comirnaty vaccine (Pfizer / BioNTech) 2) evaluate the presence of statistically significant associations for sex, age and previous positive swab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the antibody levels of both nucleocapsid antibodies and anti-Sars-CoV2 Spike antibodies of the study subjects were examined with the electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) method developed by Roche®. The cut-off value, as suggested by the manufacturer, for anti-nucleocapsid antibodies was 1 COI, while the Ig Spike value was 0.8 I / mL. The study sample was stratified by age (≤45 years, 46-55, ≥56 years old), previous positive molecular swab, gender and IgG S1 / S2 values ​​at the completed vaccination course (≤200, ≥200 AU / mL ). Statistical analyzes were carried out with the R software. RESULTS: almost all of the sample (89.45%) showed IgG Spike values> 200 AU / mL with statistically significant associations in relation to sex (greater in females, p≤0.05), to previous swab positivity in the presence of a vaccine dose (n = 44; p <0.001) and at age (with greater antibody response in subjects under 45; p <0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms what is reported in the literature. In the light of the results obtained, it could be interesting to promote studies that evaluate the antibody titers trend over time a) in women of childbearing age and postmenopausal age b) in particular categories of subjects with chronic degenerative diseases to assess the actual need for doses booster, it being understood that the immune system response is guaranteed by both cellular and humoral immunity and that the antibody titer does not faithfully reflect the protection obtained.

Management care improvement of people living with HIV: definition of a targeted clinical pathway in a University Hospital of South Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the world 37,9 billions live with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and, despite the availability of retroviral therapy, they have an higher risk to acquire other infectious diseases and to develop severe complications. According to several guidelines their immunization is crucial but only some center have developed a specific scheduled pathway and vaccination coverage is very low.  Aim of this study is: a)incentivize the active and free of charge offer of vaccines and increase of immunization coverage; b) application and implementation of a shared clinical pathway avoiding reluctance, embarrassment or shame by patients for their condition; d) instauration of an empathic relationship between doctor and patient; e) evaluation of side effects. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from October 2019 to February 2020 at the University Hospital G. Martino of Messina. Inclusion criteria were: age over 18; absence of other diseases; absence of immunization against HBV or HAV; CD4 count for live attenuated viral vaccines of 350/uL and for other vaccine 200/uL. A specific scheduled pathway was adopted for every patient. Statistical analysis was performed with Excel software. RESULTS: 86 patients were enrolled (74.4% were males, 79.1% were Italian; mean age=4013.3 SD).  An increase in administration was observed between 2018 and 2019 (+164.3% for flu and for other vaccines +370%).  The higher increase was observed for HPV one. No-one received DTpa, MMRV or Zoster vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The undertook clinical pathway showed the relevance of specific management of these patients and the need to increase the vaccination offer.

Health education intervention to improve vaccination knowledge and attitudes in a cohort of obstetrics students.

INTRODUCTION: To improve the vaccination coverage in pregnant women it is important to increase their knowledge of vaccines and related preventable diseases. Midwifes can play an important role because they are often the first contact for woman during her pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the vaccination knowledge and attitudes in a cohort of Obstetrics students in Italy and improve their knowledge through an informative health education intervention. METHODS: The study consisted in the administration of a first questionnaire followed by a health education intervention concerning all aspects of vaccinations. Then, a second questionnaire to evaluate the efficacy of the educational program was administered. RESULTS: From the pre-intervention questionnaire resulted that almost the whole sample (97.1%) were favorable to vaccines in general. Moreover, 65.7% of the participants declared a sufficient level of vaccination knowledge but 62.9% found herself unprepared to answer questions and provide information about vaccinations. Concerning the answers about vaccination in pregnancy, the correct answers went from 17.1 to 68.6% respectively before and after educational intervention. The training intervention obtained a total consensus (100%). The most part of the students (85.7%) declared that the received information changed some of their beliefs and the entire sample (100%) stated that it improved their preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed some critical issues in the preparation of midwifes about vaccinations and confirm the necessity to carry out health intervention campaigns to these health professionals that, for the role they play, they must necessarily be well prepared.

Attitudes and Perception of Healthcare Workers Concerning Influenza Vaccination during the 2019/2020 Season: A Survey of Sicilian University Hospitals.

Influenza is an infectious disease with a high impact on the population in terms of morbidity and mortality, but despite International and European guidelines, vaccination coverage rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) remain very low. The aim of the present study was to evaluate influenza vaccination adherence in the three Sicilian University Hospitals of Catania, Messina, and Palermo and to understand the attitudes and perceptions of vaccinated healthcare workers and the main reasons for vaccination refusal. A cross-sectional survey through a self-administered questionnaire was conducted during the 2019/2020 influenza season. Overall, 2356 vaccinated healthcare workers answered the questionnaire. The main reason reported for influenza vaccination adherence during the 2019/2020 season was to protect patients. Higher self-perceived risk of contracting influenza and a positive attitude to recommending vaccination to patients were significantly associated with influenza vaccination adherence during the last five seasons via multivariable analysis. Fear of an adverse reaction was the main reason for influenza vaccine refusal. In accordance with these findings, Public Health institutions should develop and tailor formative and informative campaigns to reduce principal barriers to the immunization process and promote influenza vaccination adherence among HCWs.

Correct management and low rate of contagiousness of healthcare workers in a University Hospital in Southern Italy: from contact tracing to serological investigation.

The COVID-19 epidemic, which began in Wuhan in December 2019, quickly spread all over the world, leading in a few months to a high number of deaths also in healthcare workers. The purpose of the study is to a) describe the importance of a correct management of SARS-CoV-2 infections; b) report the number of positive healthcare workers after the epidemic phase and to describe their socio-characteristics data, the main methods of transmission and the symptoms; c) to report the seroconversion rate of healthcare workers  (HCWs). The study was conducted from March 9, 2020 to June 19, 2020 in three phases:1) in a first phase, we implemented the guidelines to be followed for patient care in our hospital; 2) in a second phase, we provided the epidemiological investigation/contact tracing of HCWs; 3)  we collected swabs on all healthcare workers and we also performed serological investigation. The number of healthcare workers under surveillance is of 2611 subjects and, of these, only 0.65% contracted COVID-19. In particular, 70.6% of these have been infected in the healthcare setting, 11, 8% in the family and 17.6% returning from high risk areas. Ultimately, only 0.1% of HCWs dedicated to the treatment of COVID-19 patients contracted the infection (one was asymptomatic). Only 2% of HCWS were positive for serological investigation.