bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health workers’ health in face of disasters: what the experience in Brumadinho, Brazil, taught us
Authors: Lazarino M S A , Lazarino J P S A , da Silva J M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
When the Dam I of Córrego do Feijão mine ruptured, in the municipality of Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 25/01/2019, the released mudflow of iron mining residues caused environmental, human, social, cultural and economic damages in 18 municipalities. It also resulted in psychosocial suffering for all the populace and 272 immediate deaths, 259 of which were occupational accidents, thus being considered the largest expanded occupational accident in Latin America. In this context, the public health workers involved in the care of affected populations presented risks of developing mental illness.
The team in the Workeŕs Health Reference Centre (Cerest) observed signs of mental suffering in multiple Primary Health Care workers of Brumadinho. Cerest professionals proposed the realization of therapeutic groups, which did not occur due to the high level of demand generated by the accident. As such, individual consultations were provided by 3 psychologists on duty, on the workplaces that had more complaints. 20 workers with symptoms like insomnia, fatigue and body aches were assisted.Among the 20 patients, 2 were referred to specialized treatment and 3 left the municipality. As such, despite having shown positive effects, the results from this therapeutic approach are not final. The consultations and formal identification of this demand based the creation of a care project centered in therapeutic groups for workers of the health system and other public sectors, like social assistance.
This experience shows that the mental health of the response and repair workers was severely neglected. Said professionals, once inserted in a context of high demands and urgency, were not only subjected to more distress, but also had limited opportunities to seek or receive care. As an expanded occupational accident, the unique perspective from teams specialized in occupational health played a key role in this practice, which facilitated the proper assistance required for such a scenario.

Key messages
This experience reaffirms the need to include health care measures, including mental health, for workers responsible for assisting populations affected by disasters. Worker’s Health Reference Centres of the Brazilian public healthcare system have a prominent role in health vigilance and assistance for all workers affected by expanded occupational accidents.
Flu vaccination coverage among healthcare workers: the example of younger generations
Authors: Di Pumpo M , Lanza T E , Villani L , Aulino G , Barbara A , La Milia D I , Moscato U , Damiani G , Ricciardi W , Laurenti P 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Flu vaccination is highly recommended among Healthcare Workers (HCWs). The low coverage in Italy among HCWs (mean 15.6% for 2016/17 flu season, ECDC) calls for new approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate in which measure the vaccination coverage among HCWs registered during the 2019-2020 flu vaccination campaign in a large Teaching Hospital in Rome was affected by age and education.
A retrospective observational quasi-experimental study was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (chi-square test, significance level of 0.05) were performed. The 2019-2020 flu vaccination campaign was aimed at more than 4000 employed HCWs (total coverage 24.2%). Vaccination was also extended to not-employed HCWs such as Medical Residents (MRs) and Medical Students (MSs) in clinical training. The coverage in this groups was higher (46.0% and 63.2% respectively) and the difference between them and the coverage among employed HCWs was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05); Further analysis was performed comparing MRs / MSs in clinical training with their respective professional group of employed HCWs, with a percentage of vaccinated Medical Doctors (MD) of 36.6%. MRs / MSs in clinical training coverage was higher than MDs coverage and the difference still proved to be statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05).
The higher coverage among MRs / MSs in clinical training could be explained, in general, in light of the more open-mindedness to prevention and to healthy lifestyles that characterizes young people with an up-to-date education. It could also be explained considering the specific culture and sense of responsibility of Medical Students and Medical Residents towards their high-demanding educational path and clinical training as an incentive not to get ill.
Flu vaccination is highly recommended among HCWs. Younger generations, who represent the future of Healthcare, prove to be more open-minded and responsible towards good prevention practices such as this.

Key messages
Flu vaccination is highly recommended among HCWs. Younger generations, who represent the future of Healthcare, prove to be more open-minded and responsible towards good prevention practices.
Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission: are we missing something?
Authors: Pinon M , Kakaa O , Carpino A , Giugliano L , Calvo P L , Zotti C M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The prevention of perinatal Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is crucial to reach the WHO's challenge to eliminate viral hepatitis as public health threat by 2030. After diagnosing 2 infants infected by vertical transmission, a retrospective analysis of policies and practices to prevent HBV congenital infection was conducted to assess any potential risk.

Methods
Paired maternal-infant medical records between 2017 and 2019 were reviewed at A.O.U Città della Salute e Scienza di Torino, the italian hospital with the highest number of deliveries. Data included maternal HBSAg and coinfection (HIV, HCV) status and the administration of prophylaxis in newborns at risk. Other serologic markers of HBV maternal infection were not available.

Results
132 (0,6%) newborns from HBsAg positive mothers were identified between 2017-2019 among 21143 newborns. In this group pre-natal HBSAg status was known in 127 (96,2%), the remaining were tested during the hospitalization. Regarding maternal coinfection 130 (98%) were tested for HIV (1 positive), only 60 (45.1%) for HCV (all negative). All newborns received immunoprophylaxis consisting in the administration of vaccination and immunoglobulin: 119 (89%) within 24 hours (63% within 12 hours), 12 (9%) between 24-36 hours and 2 (1,6%) after 36 hours. The 2 cases of vertical transmission, even if correctly vaccinated, show a vaccination failure of 1,5%.

Conclusions
Although most of the mothers were tested for HBSAg status and all newborns were given immunoprophylaxis, vaccination failure seems to explain the 2 cases of vertical transmission. Since the lack in early maternal serologic screening and the late vaccination time could increase the risk of HBV infection, to achieve WHO goal we suggest to implement a multidisciplinary pathway to identify HBV positive mothers, to treat in case of high viral load, to provide a timely immunoprophylaxis considering a early vaccination and to set up a structured postnatal serologic check for newborns at risk.

Key messages
Vaccination failure must be considered in the service organization, a structured postnatal serologic check for all newborns at risk should be implemented to detect potential vaccination failure. A multidisciplinary pathway to identify HBV positive mothers, with a full serological markers set, should be implemented to give a correct maternal therapy and newborn prophylaxis.
Integrated strategies of participatory surveillance to promote flu vaccine coverage in HCWs
Authors: Rizzo C , Zaffina S , Vinci M R , Santoro A , Gilardi F , Ciampini S , Pandolfi E , Campagna I , Carsetti R , Raponi M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Problem
Influenza represents a threat for healthcare facilities where sudden outbreaks of illness can lead to high morbidity and mortality in vulnerable patients and increase absenteeism in HCWs. Despite WHO recommends annual influenza vaccination of HCWs, flu vaccine coverage (FVC) remain very low in most EU countries.

Description of the Problem
Despite an important increase in FVC recorded in last years in our hospital, FVC remains under 75%. We pilot a prospective cohort study in HCWs in order to test new methods for influenza vaccination promotion. We create a web-based system integrating information on vaccination status (unvaccinated HCWs, 1/2/3 years vaccinated ones) and demographic data. The Hospital Ethical Committee approved the study. During the 2019/20 influenza season we nested a test-negative case-control study in the cohort to evaluate Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza-like-illness (ILI) laboratory confirmed as influenza in HCWs.

Results
A total of 443 on 2675 HCWs were recruited in the cohort and weekly received specific SMS messages and phone call for a personal invitation to get flu shot. The median age of the cohort was 43,3 (range 21-72) with 128 male (28,9%). In the cohort a FVC of 26/205 (12,7%) was registered in HCWs never vaccinated in the previous 3 seasons. Nasopharyngeal swabs were distributed to 205 subjects for influenza confirmation and they received weekly messages in order to check their health status remanding to self-swab in the case of ILI symptoms.

Lessons
Using a new and integrated strategy for influenza vaccination promotion in HCWs can increase the FVC. The use of personal direct messages to HCWs and the possibility of confirming or excluding influenza in case of ILI symptoms in those vaccinated and unvaccinated, seems to be very effective in increasing vaccine coverage. Moreover, the cohort could be also used for further research studies as for example the effect of repeated influenza vaccination.

Key messages
The presented practice appears to be effective and could be applied to larger HCWs population. This strategy could be considered as a good practice of workplace vaccination promotion.
Does health literacy go in line with the pro-ecological mindset among vegetarians?
Authors: Kowalik I , Duplaga M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Followers of plant-food based diets (PFBD) may be motivated by health-related, ethical, religious or economic reasons. It is also a commonly held belief that vegetarians and vegans demonstrate a pro-ecological mindset. However, ecological attitudes and practices of people following diets based on plant food have not been studied extensively. The aim of this study was the assessment of ecological attitudes and practices among persons following vegetarian or related diets.

Methods
The users of Facebook groups or fora for people following PFBD were invited to the online survey. It was performed with integrated tool consisting of the 16-item European Health Literacy (HL) Survey questionnaire, a short, 18-item, ad hoc tool exploring ecological knowledge (EK), attitudes (EA) and practices (EP), and a set of items asking about sociodemographic status. Combined scores reflecting ecological variables and HL were used for further analysis.

Results
The study group consisted of 127 respondents, of whom 83.5% (n = 106) were women. Mean age (standard deviation) was 26.3 (7.2) years. Of the respondents, 19.7% (n = 25) followed vegan (V), 37.0% (n = 47) lacto- and/or ovovegetarian (LO), 10.2% (n = 13) macrobiotic and/or pescovegetarian (MI), and 18.9% (n = 24) pollo- and/or semivegetarian (PS) diet. Higher HL was associated with higher EA (mean score (standard deviation): 34.63 (4.66) vs 31.78 (5.53), U Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.011) and AP (4.99 (0.70) vs 5.57 (0.67), p = 0.004), but not with EK (3.91 (1.14) vs 4.08 (1.01), p = 0.55). EA was also associated with the type of diet (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.031). Higher EA was seen in the V than in the PS diet group (35.24 (4.45) vs 31.00 (5.00), post-hoc test, p = 0.043).

Conclusions
Among persons following PFBD, higher EA and EP are associated with higher HL. Development of HL may be associated not only with improved health outcomes but also with higher acceptance of pro-ecological approach.

Key messages
Pro-ecological attitudes and practices revealed by persons following plant food-based diets are associated with the level of health literacy. Environmental awareness depends on the type of followed diet.
A reasoned action approach to understand vaccination intention among healthcare professions students
Authors: De Nard F , Rivolta S , Letzgus M , Gaiazzi M , Carnevali D , Cavazzana L , Gervasi F , Schulz P J , Castaldi S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Understanding the predictors of vaccination intention among healthcare workers, including students in healthcare professions (SHPs), is crucial for policy making and for the development of evidence-driven training programs. The reasoned action approach (RAA) model includes three components to predict intention: attitude (experiential/instrumental), perceived norm (injunctive/descriptive), and perceived behavioral control (capacity/autonomy). We aimed to investigate the predictors of seasonal Flu vaccination intention among SHPs of the University of Milan.

Methods
We spread an e-survey to all medical residents and first- and last-year SHPs (medicine, nursery, midwifery, healthcare assistance and prevention techniques). The strength of association between measures of RAA components (as well as sociodemographic data, past vaccination behavior, vaccination knowledge, and perceived vaccination facilitation strategies), and vaccination intention was estimated using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results
Among 5743 invited SHPs, 884 participated in the survey and were included in the descriptive analyses (52,3% medical residents, 19,9% medicine, 21,1% nursing, 3,6% healthcare assistance, 2,7% prevention techniques and 0,5% midwifery students). Twenty-nine psycho-attitudinal items with an overall Cronbach alpha &gt;0.7 were included in the analyses. The regression analyses were performed on 751 subjects who filled in completely the survey. Past vaccination behavior, vaccination knowledge, experiential attitudes, and perceived vaccination facilitation strategies were positive predictors of Flu vaccination intention (OR 8.16, 2.42, 1.96 and 1.15 respectively, p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Our results indicated knowledge, experiential attitudes and facilitation strategies as modifiable predictors of vaccination intention among SHPs. Targeted and lasting interventions are needed in order to pursue a change in the strongest predictor, past vaccination behavior.

Key messages
Past vaccination is the strongest predictor of vaccination intention among students in healthcare professions. Knowledge, attitudes and perceived facilitators predict vaccine propensity among students in healthcare professions.
Hepatitis B virus infection, knowledge and vaccine uptake among hairdressers in Ikorodu, Lagos State
Authors: Aina B A , Olutoye O A 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Hepatitis B is a major public health concern. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to thrive in developing countries including Nigeria. Occupationally exposed persons like people working in women's beauty salon are at high risk of HBV infection and may play a critical role in the disease transmission via contaminated needles and sharps. The aim of this study therefore was to estimate HBV infection, knowledge level, occupational risk perception and vaccine uptake among people working in women's beauty salons. Also to get them screened and encourage those that are negative to get vaccinated to curb the spread of this infection.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 199 people working in women's beauty salons in Ikorodu Local government area of Lagos State. HBsAg screening using a rapid diagnostic test kit was carried out for all respondents to determine their infection status. Questionnaire which assessed their knowledge level and occupational risk perception were completed by trained interviewers and data was analysed using SPSS software.

Results
The result of this study showed that only 2.01% respondents tested positive for the HBsAg screening. Majority of the respondents (69.3%) have poor knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention and vaccine. While most (78.9%) of the respondents don't know their occupational risk of exposure to HBV, 9.0% rated themselves at high risk of occupational exposure. Significant association was observed between level of knowledge and risk perception (P &lt; 0.001). The level of vaccine uptake was very poor as only 1 out of 199 respondents has taken 3 doses of HBV vaccine, 60.9%(120) have not been vaccinated.

Conclusions
The respondents exhibited poor level of knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention, vaccination and went about their occupation without adequate protection form HBV.

Key messages
Screening of people working in women beauty salon is highly imperative to identify those with infection so that they can be treated on time while those that are negative should be vaccinated. Due to the potential roles of people working in women’s beauty salon in HBV transmission, education programs and vaccine coverage policy should be adopted for people in this occupation.
Determinants of influenza vaccination among Polish patients attending primary care clinics (PCCs)
Authors: Dubiel P , Drozd-Dąbrowska M , Biesiada D , Molas-Biesiada A , Ganczak M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Influenza vaccination uptake in Poland is one of the lowest in Europe. The study objective was to evaluate influenza vaccination coverage and influencing factors among PCCs patients.

Methods
The study was conducted (Dec 2019-Feb 2020) among patients ≥55 years of age attending three PCCs, located in Western Poland. The anonymous questionnaire was used. Determinants influencing vaccination uptake were compared using the Fisher exact test (p-value&lt;0.05).

Results
Among 363 participants (60.3% females, age 55-97 years, median 66 years), 27.8% had been vaccinated in the 2019/2020 season. The majority of vaccinated patients (61.6%) declared that their decision was based on the recommendation of a family doctor. The most commonly reported reason for not being vaccinated was a lack of belief in vaccination efficacy (43.3%). The percentage of vaccinated individuals was significantly higher among those: living in a rural area/a small town (p = 0.001), having been vaccinated in the previous season (p &lt; 0.00001) or anytime (p &lt; 0.00001), having a vaccinated family member (p &lt; 0.00001), considering themselves to be in a risk group (p &lt; 0.00001), who received information about influenza vaccination from a GP (p = 0.0007) and knowledgeable about influenza (p = 0.02). Vaccinated respondents were more likely to plan on being vaccinated the following season compared to those unvaccinated (p &lt; 0.00001). There were no statistically significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients regarding gender (p = 0.72), age (p = 0.48), health status (p = 0.63) and marital status (p = 0.53).

Conclusions
The vaccination uptake among Polish PPCs patients ≥55 years of age is disturbingly low. Future interventions related to maximizing vaccination coverage should be more tailored, focusing especially on patients living in big cities who have never been vaccinated against influenza. Providing patients with relevant information on vaccine effectiveness, guided by GPs, is urgently needed.

Key messages
The influenza vaccination uptake in primary care clinic patients ≥55 years of age needs to be improved in Poland. As the lack of belief in vaccination efficacy is the important barrier to immunization, providing patients with relevant information, guided by family doctors, is urgently needed.
From epidemiology to public health decision making: analysis on IMD & vaccination strategy in Italy
Authors: Igidbashian S , Caracci F , Bonanni P , Castiglia P , Conversano M , Gabutti G , Icardi G , Lopalco P L , Vitale F , Checcucci Lisi G 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease, with high fatality rate and severe sequelae in up to 20% of survivors. MenB, MenC and MenACWY vaccines are available in Italy, but recommendations vary among Italian regions in terms of type of vaccines and targeted age groups. The aim of the study is to describe epidemiology of IMDs in order to provide the best vaccination strategy.

Methods
IMDs surveillance data in the period 2011-2017 from the Italian National Health Institute were explored. Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups.

Results
In Italy, during the period 2011-2017, IMDs overall incidence increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 0.33 in 2017. Most cases after 2013 were caused by non-B serogroups (52%, 52%, 66%, 64%, 59% from 2013 to 2017). Although incidence is highest in 1 years old children, the number of cases is highest in the age range 25-64. The number of cases in this age-range had a steady increase after 2013 (36 cases in 2011, 79 in 2017), with serogroups C, W and Y present in more than 65% of cases in 25+ age ranges after 2012.

Conclusions
IMD is a rare but severe vaccine-preventable disease. The key role of public health is to monitor disease serogroups, trends and outbreaks and strengthen methodological evidence-based tools for decision-making processes, public health policies, planning of healthcare services and intervention measures, including immunization. The increase in incidence shown in the period 2011-2017 in Italy, although probably due to better surveillance, highlighted the high circulation also of non-B serogroups and the importance of the disease in the adult population. Based on our analysis we believe that anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy should include the highest number of preventable serogroups and be aimed to the whole population through a multicohort strategy, including boosters in children and in adults.

Key messages
Anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy should include all the preventable serogroups and be aimed to the whole population with a multicohort strategy including boosters in children and in adults. The increase in incidence of IMD in the period 2011-2017 in Italy highlighted the high circulation also of non-B serogroups and the importance of the disease in the adult population.