0000000000296096
AUTHOR
Sandro Provenzano
Healthcare students’ flu vaccine uptake in the last 5 years and future vaccination acceptance: is there a possible association?
Background:Despite the free-of-charge offer of influenza vaccines to at-risk subgroups, vaccine coverage remains low and far from the target, probably due to the false myths and misperceptions. We aimed to explore the healthcare students’ vaccination behavior and beliefs to find any association between vaccination uptake during the last 5 years and future vaccination acceptance.Study design:A multicentre cross-sectional study.Methods:From Oct 2017 to Nov 2018, the Italian healthcare students from 14 different universities in 2017/2018 were enrolled, through an online and anonymous questionnaire previously validated. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated and Pearson's Chi-square …
COVID-19 infection: comparing the knowledge, attitude and practices in a sample of nursing students.
Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a global health problem that is primarily detected in Italy with progressive increase in cases and deaths. To facilitate the management of the pandemic in Italy, it is essential to understand the level of attention on COVID-19. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices towards SARS-CoV-2 among the nursing students of University of Palermo during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study. On-line questionnaires were used for the collection of the data by providing a survey in all nursing students. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographics and Knowledg…
Is there a link between BMI and depressive symptomatology, risky consumption of alcohol and anxious symptomatology? Study in a sample of university students
BACKGROUND: One of the often-underestimated aspects of obesity is the psychological one. In particular, there is a growing attention to the correlation between obesity and depression among students from all over the world. And also towards the correlation between alcohol abuse and mood disorders. The objective of the study was to examine if the depressive symptomatology, risk of consumption of alcohol and anxiety symptomatology are correlated with obesity/ overweight in a sample of students of the University of Palermo, Italy. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire is structured in four sections. An anonymous online survey was sent to a random students sample enroll…
CONFRONTO TRA METODO BIOLUMINOTETRICO E CONTA DELLE COLONIE AEROBICHE NEL VALUTARE LA SANIFICAZIONE DELLE SUPERFICI IN AMBITO SANITARIO
Introduzione: la presenza di superfi ci contaminate in ambito sanitario è correlata all’aumentato rischio di infezioni associate all’assistenza (healthcare associated infections, HAIs), in quanto costituiscono serbatoio ambientale per gli agenti patogeni. Il monitoraggio dell’effi cacia dei processi di sanifi cazione risulta pertanto cruciale allo scopo di ridurre tale rischio, e la ricerca di un metodo affi dabile, economico e rapido è tutt’ora in fase di studio. Obiettivi: lo scopo di tale studio è stato quello di valutare l’affi dabilità di un metodo bioluminometrico basato sulla rilevazione dell’adenosina trifosfato (ATP), come alternativa rapida ed economica alla conta microbiologica d…
ENTE REGIONALE PER IL DIRITTO ALLO STUDIO (ERSU): MENSE GOURMET?
Introduzione: Abitudini alimentari poco sane hanno ricadute negative sulla salute pubblica. Il servizio di ristorazione universitario è diventato protagonista della salute e del benessere collettivo di studenti e lavoratori. In conseguenza a ciò nasce la necessità di acquisire informazioni sulla popolazione che usufruisce delle mense al fine di costruirne il profilo di salute e cercare di migliorarlo. Metodi: È stata condotta una survey su un campione di utenti delle mense dell’ERSU di Palermo, tramite somministrazione di un questionario con lo scopo di valutare il consumo alimentare secondo il modello della dieta mediterranea (DM). È stato ideato uno score di aderenza (SA) alla piramide de…
The Adolescent Label Impact Index in a Multicentric Observational Study. Have the Tobacco Advertisements an Impact on the Adolescents?
Background: Pictorial warnings may contribute to lower attractiveness of smoking, particularly among adolescents. The present study compared the impact of two different label styles of tobacco product warnings (textual and pictorial) among adolescents in a new standardized way, using the Adolescent Label Impact Index (ALII). Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Adolescent aged 10–20 years completed an online questionnaire. The ALII score was used to assess the impact of only-textual (ALII-T) and pictorial advertisements (ALII-P). Results: A total of 1,759 students (68.4% response-rate) declared that graphic warnings have a significant impact than textual ones (p <…
Nursing students and depressive symptomatology: an observational study in University of Palermo
Purpose Depression is a common and serious medical illness, considered as a public health issue because it interferes with the interpersonal, social and professional functioning of the individual, and its frequency is constantly increasing. According to a recent review, approximately 34 per cent of nursing students had experienced depression worldwide. The university period may represent a moment in which the mental well-being of students is subjected to stress with a relative predisposition to the development of diseases related to mood disorders. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptomatology. Design/metho…
Contraceptive methods and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in nursing students. Results from a survey conducted at the University of Palermo

 Background: The main purpose of the study was to evaluatesexual habits, sexual relations and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the students in the nursing science course of University of Palermo, and to evaluate the use of contraceptive methods. 
 Methods: In April 2019, a survey was provided to students who attend daily lessons in the nursing science course of University of Palermo, that investigate primarily about sexual habits, sexual relations and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. A multivariable logistic regression was performed. 
 Results: The sample size consists of 405 students. The average age of the sample is 21.65 years, 69.63% o…
Reasons behind flu vaccine acceptance and suggested interventions to promote flu vaccination acceptance among healthcare workers.
The flu vaccination rate is still too low, both among healthcare providers (HCPs) and among health sciences university students. This study aims to assess the reasons of past and future flu vaccination acceptance among health sciences university students, and second, to identify what interventions would be helpful to foster acceptance of the flu vaccination among HCPs. A multicentre cross-sectional study was performed, using a validated questionnaire administered to health sciences students enrolled in 14 Italian universities. A multivariable logistic regression model was used. A total of 3131 questionnaires were collected. The statement that mandatory vaccination is required to increase a…
IVIAGGIO: L’APP DEL VIAGGIARE, VIAGGIANDO IN SICUREZZA.
Introduzione: Il numero di gente che effettua viaggi internazionali è in continuo aumento. Questo pone vari rischi per la salute dei viaggiatori. Una pianificazione attenta e l’adozione di misure preventive appropriate possono proteggere la loro salute. Medici e operatori mettono al servizio la loro professionalità, ma rimane, comunque, responsabilità del viaggiatore prendere le necessarie precauzioni per proteggersi durante il viaggio. Per tali motivi abbiamo creato un’applicazione che consente di offrire una consulenza sulle misure di prevenzione opportune e di suggerire i comportamenti da adottare per limitare le situazioni a rischio. Metodi: L’applicazione è realizzata per dispositivi A…
Do Degree Programs Affect Health Profession Students' Attitudes and Opinions Toward Vaccinations? An Italian Multicenter Study
Abstract Background Healthcare workers' attitudes toward vaccination have been widely described in the literature, but a restricted amount of studies assessed healthcare students' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions on this issue. This study aimed to estimate the influence of a degree course on knowledge and immunization behavior among healthcare students and to compare medical students with students from other health profession degree programs to identify possible differences. Methods A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed in 2018 in 14 Italian Universities (3,131 students were interviewed). A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and opinions toward v…
Internet addiction, alcohol risky consumption, and gambling disorder among Palermo University Hospital: a cross-sectional study
BacKGrOUnD: the aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of gambling, internet addiction disease and the risk of alcohol consumption among workers of the “Paolo Giaccone” University hospital in Palermo. MethODs: the study employed a cross-sectional study design. an anonymous online survey was provided accompanied by informed consent. The questionnaire was structured into four parts. The first section investigates on socio-demographic information. in the other sections of the questionnaires were administered: internet addiction test, alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and Canadian Problem Gambling Index. A multivariable logistic regression model was used and adjuste…
Studio pilota sul valore predittivo dei livelli plasmatici di 9 fattori angiogenetici nella selezione di pazienti candidati alla biopsia prostatica
To reduce the number of negative prostate biopsies in patients with elevated PSA serum levels represents a major challenge in urological oncology. Angiogenetic factors might be involved in initial stages of prostate cancer and might represent useful tools in patients' selection for prostate biopsy. The plasmatic levels of Angiopoietin-2, Follistatin, G-CSF, HGF, IL-8, Leptin, PDGF-BB, PECAM-1 and VEGF were measured by BioPlex immunoassay in patients undergoing prostate biopsy for palpable prostate nodule and/or elevated PSA levels (≥4 ng/mL). They were related with biopsy results. ROC curve analysis was exploited to test the diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker by AUC calculation. A potent…
iViaggio: the app for safe traveling.
he number of people travelling internationally increases year after year, mainly due to the more and more affordable cost of travelling and to the evergreater ease of transportation. Nowadays, any destination can be reached within 24 hours by plane, and the improvement of economic conditions facilitates both business and leisure travelling, as a matter of fact, according to data from the World Tourism Organization, the number of international trips is expected to increase by 3% to 4% per year.1 However, international travelling poses various health risks depending on travelers’ health conditions and the type of trip undertaken. Indeed, travelers may experience sudden changes in altitude, hu…
Altered Food Behavior and Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature
There is evidence of an association between cancer and certain types of altered eating behaviors, including orthorexia, food cravings, and food addiction. Given the growing interest in the topic throughout the scientific community we conducted a systematic review to summarize current evidence on the development of altered food behavior, including food addiction and cancer. The Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed to perform this systematic review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to report the process and results. The structured literature search was co…
Onset of depressive symptomatology in a sample of university students
The aim of the study was to evaluate depressive symptomatology within the student population of the University of Palermo (Italy). An anonymous online questionnaire was provided to the students of the University of Palermo. The first section investigated demographic and social data, while in the second section the QIDSSR16 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report) test was administered. 539 students (68.3% female) gave informed consent and completed the questionnaire. Considering as a dependent variable: Depressive symptomatology moderate-severe-very severe, the statistically significant independent variables associated are I don't live with my family (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.01…
Risky consumption of alcohol in nursing students
BACKGROUND: abuse of alcohol among students is a problem that has not to be undervalued because it can damage mental and global health and, as a consequence, it can negatively influence the academic and training performance roping at the end on patients’ health. Our study focused particularly on nursing students of the University of Palermo of the three years of course with the aim to estimate the prevalence of risky alcohol consumption and to analyze the associated factors. MethODs: in april 2019 a questionnaire was administered to all the nursing students of University of Palermo of the three years of course, accompanied by informed consent. Multivariable logistic regression was performed…
Pilot Study on Predictive Value of Plasmatic Levels of 9 Angiogenetic Biomarkers in Selection of Patients Candidate to Prostate Biopsy
To reduce the number of negative prostate biopsies in patients with elevated PSA serum levels represents a major challenge in urological oncology. Angiogenetic factors might be involved in initial stages of prostate cancer and might represent useful tools in patients’ selection for prostate biopsy. The plasmatic levels of Angiopoietin-2, Follistatin, G-CSF, HGF, IL-8, Leptin, PDGF-BB, PECAM-1 and VEGF were measured by BioPlex immunoassay in patients undergoing prostate biopsy for palpable prostate nodule and/or elevated PSA levels (≥4 ng/mL). They were related with biopsy results. ROC curve analysis was exploited to test the diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker by AUC calculation. A poten…
[Anxiety, depression and risk consumption of alcohol in a sample of university students].
The university student is vulnerable to the adverse effects of many stress factors that can lead to depressive symptoms, anxiety and alcohol abuse, causing an increase in the burden of illness in young people. The aim of the study was to measure depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, and harmful alcohol consumption within the student population of the University of Palermo.An online questionnaire was sent by e-mail to the 8500 students enrolled in the (ERSU) Regional Office for the Right to University Study's mailing list in Palermo. It was evaluated the severity of depressive symptoms through the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report, anxiety symptoms using the Beck Anxiet…
I SISTEMI DI GESTIONE PER LA QUALITÀ E I MODELLI DI ACCREDITAMENTO VOLONTARIO E DI ECCELLENZA NELLE AZIENDE SANITARIE SICILIANE
Introduzione: Il programma di ricerca è finalizzato allo studio del grado di sviluppo organizzativo dei “modelli sistemici” per la qualità dell’assistenza nelle strutture sanitarie pubbliche e private siciliane, prendendo spunto dalla rilevazione condotta dalla Direzione Generale della Programmazione sanitaria, dei livelli di assistenza e dei principi etici di sistema del Ministero della Salute nel 2007 a livello nazionale. Materiali e Metodi: Il questionario è stato progettato per la compilazione on line, prevedendo domande miranti a rilevare il livello di diffusione degli strumenti e dei metodi per il miglioramento della qualità dell’assistenza, in riferimento all’anno 2013, ed è stato in…
Risk Factors for Addictive Behaviors: A General Overview
Many people around the world have behaviors that are recognized as addictive behaviors, usually not causing significant health consequences except in a few cases, which consist typically of a low percentage of people who may develop addictive behavioral disorders that may be associated with functional impairment and distress [...]
Methodological issues in a cross-sectional survey on cervical cancer screening using telephone interviews in Sicily (Italy): a SWOT analysis
Objective A cross-sectional study on knowledge, perceptions, and adherence to cervical cancer screening was conducted using telephone interviews of Sicilian women that were performed in 2016. This study aimed to identify areas that need to be addressed to improve the validity of data collection and to minimize possible biases. Methods We performed a qualitative study through SWOT analysis, which is a multidimensional method based on evaluation of Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O), and Threats (T) of the research project. The contents of the SWOT forms underwent categorical, inductive, and deductive data analysis using the long table analysis method. Results The full availabil…
Severity of anxious symptoms in nursing students of the University of Palermo
BACKGROUND: The university student is vulnerable to the adverse effects of many stress factors that can lead to an increase in the burden of illness in young people. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anxious symptoms in the student population of the degree course in nursing at the University of Palermo. METHODS: The study design is observational. In the month of April 2019, a survey was provided to all nursing students of University of Palermo of the three years of course, accompanied by informed consent. The statistical significance level chosen for all analyzes was 0.05. The results were analyzed using the STATA statistical software version 14.XX Results are exp…
Comparison between adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence and aerobic colony count to assess surface sanitation in the hospital environment
Background: Adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence produced by the firefly luciferase has been successfullyintroduced to verify cleaning procedures in the food industry according to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Pointprogram.Our aim was to evaluate the reliability of bioluminescence as a tool to monitor the effectiveness of sanitation in healthcaresettings, in comparison with the microbiological gold standard.Methods: 614 surfaces of various material were randomly sampled in Policlinico University Hospital units in Palermo,Italy, to detect adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence and aerobic colony count. Linear regression model andPearson correlation coefficient were used to estimate …
Internet addiction in nursing students
BACKGROUND: Problematic internet use is a growing problem in modern societies. Internet addiction (IA ) can be defined as a behavioral addiction between human and information technology-machine. Our aim was to identify IA among Palermo University nursing students by means of the Internet Addiction Test. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional study design. In April 2019 a survey was provided to students who attend daily lessons. The questionnaire was structured into two parts. The first section investigates on socio-demographic information, year of study, the perception of the economic and health status. In the second section of the questionnaire IAT was administered. A multivariable …
Can immigrants transmit infectious diseases to general population? A survey of high school students in western Sicily.
Background. The migration of people has always accompanied the history of man and produced a gradual but constant reorganization of the coordinates of the ethnic and cultural world. Today, all of this continues to undergo a profound acceleration, taking aback often unprepared governments and the same population and generating fears, mostly unfounded concerns and prejudices that make complex a peaceful and necessary integration. The purpose of this study is understand the actual perception of immigrants from a sample of students who live in Western Sicily. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was carried out, throughout an anonymous questionnaire, to all students attending a high school in Cast…
Factors associated with the anxious symptomatology in a sample of university students
BACKGROUND: The university period may represent a moment in which the mental well-being of students is subjected to stress with relative predisposition to the development of diseases related to mood disorders. The aim of the study was to measure the severity of anxious symptoms within the student population of the University of Palermo. METHODS: An anonymous online questionnaire was provided to students enrolled in the mailing list of the Regional Agency for the Right to University Study of the University of Palermo. The first section investigated demographic and social data, while in the second section the B.A.I. (Beck Anxiety Inventory) test was administered. RESULTS: The sample consists …
Salvate Eva in Sicilia: indagine conoscitiva 2016 sull’adesione allo screening organizzato del cervicocarcinoma.
In Sicilia, a fronte di un incremento dell’estensione dello screening organizzato del cervicocarcinoma, non corrisponde un aumento dell’adesione. Nei mesi di gennaio-giugno 2016 è stata condotta un’indagine trasversale somministrando un questionario standardizzato a un campione di 365 donne, per descrivere le ragioni del fenomeno e promuovere interventi mirati. Per le variabili di atteggiamento e conoscenza è stato utilizzato l’Health Belief Model, che ha esplorato la percezione della donna della suscettibilità (rischio di sviluppare il cancro), della gravità della patologia e dei benefici derivanti dal pap-test. Dai risultati emerge che il 66,6% delle intervistate ha effettuato un pap- tes…