Knowledge of preventive measures against occupational risks and spread of healthcare-associated infections among nursing students. An epidemiological prevalence study from Ferrara, Italy

Introduction. Exposure to biological agents is the most common occupational risk for nursing staff. This study verified changes in attitudes and knowledge occurred in the nursing students after the first year of degree. Methods. The survey was conducted in academic year 2006/07 among the students of the Professional Nursing Course at University of Ferrara (Italy) using a structured questionnaire. Students were 85 at the beginning and 80 at the end of the courses. Results. The rate of subjects using gloves for intramuscular injections and fingertip puncture was unsatisfactory. A high percentage of students performed recap of needles. The use of gloves in case of washing of surgical instruments was high. The compliance in the use of gloves in handling test tubes remained low. Only 2/3 of the students washes their hands coming in ward. Incorrect attitudes have been observed in changing or wearing gloves. The students considered vaccination against hepatitis-B necessary, vaccination against flu unnecessary. A high percentage of students had not performed any prophylaxis for tuberculosis. Discussion. Students intend the use of gloves mainly to perform self-protection. The concept of self-protection is contradicted by the large percentage of students that recap used needles. A significant percentage of students have not yet gained the criti- cal thinking necessary to consider the importance of universal precautions as a means not only of self-protection but also of prevention of hospital infections. Conclusions. Students consider the basic standard measures for the control of infectious diseases only like self-protection and not to prevent hospital infections

Herpes zoster vaccination in the elderly subjects: improving awareness and uptake

Armando Stefanati, Nicoletta Valente, Silvia Lupi, Sara Previato, Matilde Giordani, Giovanni Gabutti Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy Abstract: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common disease in adults and older subjects solely related to the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in ganglia. The incidence of the disease increases with aging and the decline of varicella zoster virus-specific cell-mediated immunity. HZ has a significant impact on the quality of life of subjects during the acute phase. Besides, pain can persist even for a long time becoming chronic. The chronic pain following HZ is called postherpetic neuralgia, and it is a debilitating long-lasting condition, characterized by metameric pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Therapeutic options against HZ and postherpetic neuralgia are often suboptimal and the impact of the disease and its complications on daily living activities is significant, especially in older subjects. Nowadays, a preventive approach to the disease is possible; as a matter of fact, a high-antigen content live vaccine is available. This vaccine has a good profile in terms of immunogenicity, efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and its use may prevent both HZ and postherpetic neuralgia. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the issues raised in countries that introduced this immunization show that both provider and patient barriers could have prevented a more robust uptake of HZ vaccination. In the USA, HZ immunization storage was expensive, reimbursement was cumbersome, and supply shortages may have limited promotion by the interests of the manufacturer and provider. The doctors did not actively recommend HZ vaccination; on the other hand, subjects were mostly unaware of the HZ vaccine. Several demographic factors, including sex and educational level, could have negatively affected the coverage rates; besides, the clinicians who treat adults focus less on vaccination than those taking care of children. On the other hand, when health care professionals undertook every effort to maximize the uptake of the shingles vaccine (eg, in the UK), the vaccine coverage rate increased very quickly. Keywords: herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia, vaccin

A 2-year point-prevalence surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in Ferrara University Hospital, Italy

Background: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) represent one of the leading issues to patient safety as well as a significant economic burden. Similarly, Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Resistance (AMR) represent a growing threat to global public health and the sustainability of healthcare services. Methods: A Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) following the 2016 ECDC protocol for HAI prevalence and AMU was conducted at Ferrara University Hospital (FUH). Data were collected by a team of trained independent surveyors in 2016 and 2018. Risk factors independently associated with HAI were assessed by a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of the 1102 patients surveyed, 115 (10.4%) had an active HAI and 487 (44.2%) were on at least 1 systemic antimicrobial agent. Factors independently associated with increased HAI risk were a "Rapidly Fatal" McCabe score (expected fatal outcome within 1 year), presence of medical devices (PVC, CVC, indwelling urinary catheter or mechanically assisted ventilation) and a length of hospital stay of at least 1 week. The most frequent types of HAI were pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections. Antimicrobial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed in about 60% of Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusions: The survey reports a high prevalence of HAI and AMU in FUH. Repeated PPSs are useful to control HAIs and AMU in large acute-care hospitals, highlighting the main problematic factors and allowing planning for improvement actions

Has VZV epidemiology changed in Italy? Results of a seroprevalence study

The aim of the study was to evaluate if and how varicella prevalence has changed in Italy. In particular a seroprevalence study was performed, comparing it to similar surveys conducted in pre-immunization era. During 2013–2014, sera obtained from blood samples taken for diagnostic purposes or routine investigations were collected in collaboration with at least one laboratory/center for each region, following the approval of the Ethics Committee. Data were stratified by sex and age. All samples were processed in a national reference laboratory by an immunoassay with high sensitivity and specificity. Statutory notifications, national hospital discharge database and mortality data related to VZV infection were analyzed as well. A total of 3707 sera were collected and tested. In the studied period both incidence and hospitalization rates decreased and about 5 deaths per year have been registered. The seroprevalence decreased in the first year of life in subjects passively protected by their mother, followed by an increase in the following age classes. The overall antibody prevalence was 84%. The comparison with surveys conducted with the same methodology in 1996–1997 and 2003–2004 showed significant differences in age groups 1–19 y. The study confirms that in Italy VZV infection typically occurs in children. The impact of varicella on Italian population is changing. The comparison between studies performed in different periods shows a significant increase of seropositivity in age class 1–4 years, expression of vaccine interventions already adopted in some regions

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

Attitudes towards compulsory vaccination in Italy: Results from the NAVIDAD multicentre study

ABSTRACT: Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a considerable issue in European countries and leads to low coverage rates. After a long debate, Italy has made vaccination mandatory for admission to its schools. Methods: In the NAVIDAD study (a cross-sectional multicentre study), a 63-item questionnaire was administered to 1820 pregnant women from 15 Italian cities. The questionnaire assessed the interviewee's opinion on mandatory vaccines, as well as their socioeconomic status, sources of information about vaccines, confidence in the Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS), and intention to vaccinate their newborn. Results: Information sources play a key role in determining the opinion on restoration of mandatory vaccines; in particular, women who obtained information from anti-vaccination movements are less likely to accept the vaccines (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21\u20130.58, p < 0.001). Women who had confidence in healthcare professional information agreed more on mandatory vaccination than did the other women (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.62\u20134.36, p < 0.001); those who perceived that healthcare professionals have economic interest in child immunization and who declared that healthcare providers inform only on vaccinations benefits not on risks were less likely to agree on compulsory vaccination (OR: 0.66, CI 95%: 0.46\u20130.96, p = 0.03; OR: 0.66, CI 95%: 0.46\u20130.95, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Information sources and confidence towards health professionals are the main determinants of acceptance of mandatory vaccine restoration. To increase the acceptability of the restoration and reduce vaccine hesitancy, these aspects need to be strengthened

Abitudini e conoscenze sul fumo in un campione di giovani di scuola media inferiore del delta del Po

Indagine finalizzata a valutare la prevalenza dell’abitudine al fumo tra gli adolescenti che frequentano la scuola media inferiore in una zona del ferrarese ad elevata mortalità per tumore polmonare. Nel periodo febbraio-giugno 2004 è stato somministrato un questionario anonimo a 172 studenti di scuola media inferiore (84 maschi e 88 femmine) di 3 scuole della bassa ferrarese allo scopo di valutare, a seguito delle numerose campagne antifumo ministeriali e sui mass-media, sia le conoscenze che le attuali abitudini dei giovani nei confronti di questo problema. Nella fascia di età tra gli 11 e 15 anni (età media 12,5 anni), il 64% dei ragazzi non ha mai fatto uso di sigarette. Quasi la metà degli intervistati ha iniziato a fumare prima dei 12 anni (49%) e comunque il 98% ha cominciato a fumare prima dei 14 anni. Addirittura il 70% dei maschi ha iniziato a fumare prima dei 12 anni, contro il 25% delle femmine. Il 36% dei ragazzi si è avvicinato per la prima volta al fumo perché lo facevano gli amici che frequentavano ed il 59% per curiosità per provare emozioni nuove. Il 36% ha dichiarato di fumare al momento della rilevazione da 6 a 10 sigarette al giorno, il 28% ne fuma da 1 a 5. La maggioranza (59%) ha tentato almeno una volta senza successo ed il 18% non ha mai provato a smettere di fumare. Nelle famiglie di studenti che fumano il 70% dei familiari fa uso di sigarette, mentre solo il 31% dei componenti familiari di studenti non fumatori al momento dell’indagine fuma. Solo il 26% però fuma liberamente in presenza dei familiari, mentre il 74% fuma di nascosto senza il permesso dei genitori. La maggioranza degli studenti (87%) è consapevole che il fumo è molto dannoso alla salute, solo il 6% è convinto che non lo sia per nulla o comunque molto meno di quanto venga fatto credere. Quindi malgrado la diffusione delle informazioni sulle conseguenze nocive del fumo per la salute, il ricorso soprattutto al fumo di sigaretta è sempre più presente tra i giovani. I risultati di questa indagine suggeriscono la necessità di non abbassare la guardia nei confronti del fumo tra gli adolescenti e di continuare con campagne educative che tengano in forte considerazione l’ambiente socioeconomico in cui i giovani vivono. The present study, conducted from February ti June 2004, was carried out by means of a questionnaire distribuited to 172 middle-school students in some towns of the Po Delta. The questionnaire aimed to asses the knowledge and attitudes about smoking among 11-15 year old students. The data analysis lead us to the followuing conclusions: --- The results of this study suggest the need for more frequent anti-smoking campaigns targetting yong people, taking into consideration the influence of their social environment