Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene

Adding COVID to Cancer: Does Cancer Status Influence COVID-19 Infection Preventive Behaviors?

Carrie Miller — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction
A better understanding of how to promote disease mitigation and prevention behaviors among vulnerable populations, such as cancer survivors, is needed. This study aimed to determine patterns of and factors associated with COVID-19-related preventive behaviors among cancer survivors and assess whether the COVID-19 preventive behaviors of cancer survivors differ from the general population.
Methods
In June 2020, an online survey of adults (N=897) assessed predictors of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors, including socio-demographics, COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions (Health Belief Model [HBM] variables), and cancer statuses (cancer survivors currently in treatment, cancer survivors not currently in treatment, and individuals with no history of cancer). An average score of respondent engagement in eight preventive behaviors was calculated. Differences in HBM variables and preventive behaviors by cancer status were assessed using ANCOVAs. Hierarchical multiple regression analyzed associations among socio-demographics, HBM constructs, cancer statuses, and engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviors.
Results
Participants reported engaging in 3.5 (SD=0.6) preventive behaviors. Cancer survivors not in treatment engaged in preventive behaviors significantly less than the comparison group. In the final adjusted model, after adding COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions, cancer status was no longer significant. All HBM constructs except perceived susceptibility were significant predictors of preventive behaviors.
Conclusions
COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions were more robust predictors preventive behaviors than cancer status. Nonetheless, public health organizations and practitioners should communicate the risk and severity of infection among cancer survivors and emphasize the need to engage in protective behaviors for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases with this vulnerable population.

SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus coinfections in the Tuscan population during the 2021/2022 influenza season

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The 2021/2022 influenza season was not characterised by a well-defined incidence peak. As reported by the Italian National Institute of Health, a high value of incidence of influenza cases was recorded in week 13, but it was still lower than in other influenza seasons. This abnormal circulation was probably due to relaxation of the COVID-19 pandemic restriction measures, which greatly reduced the circulation of respiratory-transmitted viruses, including human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV). The symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are quite similar, sharing the human-to-human transmission route via respiratory droplets. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of coinfection with influenza viruses and/or HRSV in SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects (N=940) in a population of central Italy during the 2021/2022 season. A total of 54 cases of coinfection were detected during the study period, 51 cases (5.4%) of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus and three cases (0.3%) of SARS-CoV-2 and HRSV coinfection. These results highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of the circulation of influenza virus and other respiratory viruses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Balance measures of mini and brief balance evaluation system tests for Iranian population

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction. Falling is a serious problem for all ages. There are several tests to assess balance. mini-BESTest and brief-BESTest are balance tests for which there are no normative values for Iranian people. We aimed to provide the normative values of mini-BESTest and brief-BESTest among healthy Iranian adults.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was designed. Three hundred healthy adults (150 males and 150 females) in six age groups (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, +79 years) completed the tests using Persian mini-BESTest and brief-BESTest. Normative values were calculated for age groups.

Results: Normative values of mini-BESTest and brief- BESTest decreased significantly with age (from 27 to 21.9 for mini-BESTest and from 22.9 to 15.4 for brief BESTest). There were no significant differences between genders except for females in 30-39 and 40-49 years age groups which scored better on brief-BESTest and mini-BESTest, respectively. Males had significantly scored better in brief- BESTest in 60-69 and ≥70 age groups.

Conclusions: The normative values of the mini-BESTest and brief- BESTest provided for healthy Iranian adults can help clinicians when assessing subjects with balance dysfunction.

Maternal MTHFR A1298C Polymorphism: A Crucial Consideration in Preventing Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Sinu Jose — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Editorial

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes among samples of females in Al‐Suwaira city, Wasit Governorate, Iraq

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Adverse pregnancy outcomes pose serious health risks to both periconceptional women and newborns. This study aimed to investigate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of reproductive age in Al-Suwaira, Wasit governorate, Iraq.

Methods: During November 2021 to February 2022, a cross-sectional research of randomly selected women was performed. The KAP was evaluated with a standard, self-administered questionnaire. The outcomes were described using a descriptive analysis.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 118 women. Participants had good knowledge and positive attitudes and practices toward adverse pregnancy outcomes. The findings revealed that the majority of participants were between the ages of 20 and 25 (n = 57, 48.3%) and had a Bachelor's degree (n = 106, 89.8%). Knowledge gaps were discovered in the areas of the danger of pregnancy at a young age of less than 17 years (30.5%), the link between lack of maternal education and poor births (24.6%), and the influence of drug misuse on the fetus (17.8%). The participants learn more around pregnancy-related risk factors via internet (n = 38, 32.2%) and university (n = 34, 28.8%).

Conclusions: The participants in this study had good knowledge, positive attitude, and positive practice regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there were some knowledge gaps. Therefore, to raise awareness among local women, it seems advisable to strengthen and strictly apply awareness-raising plans.

Is social media our new quitline? A descriptive study assessing youtube coverage of tobacco cessation

Aysha Jawed, Anna Hogan — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background Tobacco use and exposure continue to be leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past decade, educational efforts to reduce tobacco use and exposure have extended to social media, including video-sharing platforms. YouTube is one of the most publicly accessed video-sharing platforms. Despite the public health importance of tobacco use and exposure as preventable causes of morbidity and mortality, and the increasing use of social media as a way consumers access health-related information, few studies have explored this topic.

Purpose This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to identify and describe sources, formats, and content of widely viewed YouTube videos on smoking cessation.

Methods In August to September 2023, using a cleared browser, the keywords “stop quit smoking” were used to search in YouTube and identify 100 videos with the highest view count.

Results Collectively, these videos were viewed over 220 million times. The majority (n = 35) were posted by nongovernmental/organization sources, with a smaller number posted by consumers (n = 25), and only eleven were posted by governmental agencies. The median length of the 100 videos was 5.17 minutes; interquartile range was 2.52 -11.40 minutes. The format used in the highest number of videos was the testimonial (n = 32 videos, over 77 million views). Other popular formats included animation (n = 23 videos, over 90 million views) and talk by professional (n = 20 videos, almost 43 million views). Video content included evidence-based and non-evidence-based practices. Evidence-based strategies aligned with U.S. Public Health Service Tobacco Treatment Guidelines and included seeking support from the health system in tobacco treatment and using Nicotine Replacement Therapy products. Strategies warranting further evaluation but not currently recommended by official governmental agencies included mindfulness and hypnotherapy. One most important finding was that environmental tobacco exposure received scant coverage across the videos.

Conclusions Environmental exposure presents significant risks for acute and chronic diseases for both smokers and nonsmokers, and specific risks for children and pregnant women, and this requires further investigation. Education for individuals, families and communities on tobacco cessation can help people achieve cessation. Social media such as YouTube promises to reach large audiences at low cost without requiring high reading literacy. Additional attention is needed to create videos with up-to-date, accurate information that can engage consumers.

Monitoring the utilization and effectiveness of Iron and Vitamin D supplementations program and its predictive factors in high schools’ girls in Qom, Iran

Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi, Dr — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Iron and vitamin D3 deficiency is one of the major global health problems in teenagers and adolescent population. It can have a negative impact during phases of rapid growth, increasing susceptibility to infection, autoimmune and other chronic disease. This study was aimed to determine the utilization of Iron and Vitamin D Supplementations Program (IVDSP) in high schools’ girls in Qom city.

Methods: In a cross sectional study, the pattern of iron and D3 consumption based on IVDSP on 400 high schools’ girl in Qom, Iran assesses. Data collection was used by a reliable and standard researcher based questionnaire and daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally consumption of complementary in schools including iron and vitamin D3 consumption based on CTP as well as home consumption of other complementary minerals including folic acid, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Multi Vitamin, Vitamin B, and Other complementary drugs were gathered. Data analysis conducted using SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by chi square and independent t-test.

Result: The mean age of subjects was 15.14±1.52 years and ranged from 12 to 18 years old. The total weekly prevalence of D3 and iron consumption in high schools’ girls was calculated 36.73% and the weekly prevalence of Iron and monthly prevalence of Vitamin D3 consumption was 33.75% and 40.5%, respectively. The most common causes of non-consumption were bad taste 49.31%, Iranian made drug 20.27%, drug sensitivity 19.82% and drug interaction 10.60%, respectively. Our results showed that contribution of students in explanatory sessions (P=0.003), contribution of students in school sessions (P=0.001) were predictor variables for better complementary consumption in high schools

Conclusion: The inadequate and incomplete rate of IVDSP in Qom was high and more than 60% of distributed supplementations have been wasted. Our results showed that students who were participated in educational orientation classes were more successful and eager in iron and vitamin D3 consumption. Therefore, it is recommended to increase interventions at individual, interpersonal, intra-organizational and inter-organizational levels in order to fully support the program and ultimately increase the efficiency of the program.

There is a correlation between nutritional status, Self-Rated Health and Life Satisfaction? Evidence from 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children cross sectional study in a sample of Italian Adolescents living in Tuscany Region

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Overweight has been associated with several social and phycological problems and is perceived as one of the major health care challenges to focus on in the future. The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlations among nutritional status, assessed by the Body Mass Index, the perception of one's own health status and Life Satisfaction, detected in Italian adolescents living in Tuscany Region, and to investigate the influence of gender on them; Methods: A statistically representative sample of 2760 Tuscan adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 was involved in the 2018 Health Behaviours at School-aged Children survey. The participants were divided into three nutritional status class: underweight, normal weight and overweight (overweight + obese); Results: The results show that there is a statistically significant difference in all categories between boys and girls aged 13 and 15 years; in girls aged 11 and 13 years, the Life Satisfaction of the overweight group is statistically lower than that of normal and underweight groups; Self-Rated Health is statistically lower in all age groups for overweight individuals compared to normal weight children, except for 11-year-old females; Conclusions: Viewing the psychosocial problems related to overweight, more attention and care must be placed on adolescents to ensure their healthier development

Characteristics of the health districts in Italy and their implication in primary health care policies: an analysis of socio‐demographic trends

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Health District (HD) is a critical component of Italy’s National Health Service, responsible for ensuring Primary Health Care (PHC) services in response to community health needs. The Italian government established a national strategic reform program, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with a series of health interventions to reorganize the PHC setting (Ministerial Decree 77/2022). Our study aimed to provide a description of socio-demographic data and to assess the correlation between HDs, in order to suggest health intervention priorities in PHC reforms.

We conducted a retrospective analysis using a cross-sectional record linkage of data from multiple sources to compare organizational and socio-demographic variables. A dataset was created with each of the 21 Italian Regions’ HDs data of population, land area, mean age, ageing index, old-age dependency ratio, birth rate and death rate. We then linked the HD data with the Inland Areas Project in order to categorize them from a socio-economic point of view.

Our study identified comparable groups of HDs, considering demographical, socio-economic and geographical aspects.

The study provides a baseline understanding of the Italian situation prior to the implementation of DM77. It also highlights that inhabitants number cannot be the only variable to take into account for the definition of Italian HDs organisation and PHC reform, providing intercorrelated variables that take into account geographic location, demographic data, and socio-economic aspects.

Cardiovascular disorders and exposure to chemical pollutants

Seyedeh Negar — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Exposure with some chemical can cause cardiovascular disorders. Occupational exposures with chemicals are modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Objective of this study was the frequency of cardiovascular disorders in the chemical exposure.

Materials and Methods: Study was a cross-sectional method and was done on workers of related industries. The study was done with a physical examination and checklist by getting health and illness history and clinical tests about the risk factors and cardiovascular disorders. According to exposures the population of the study was divided into 3 groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16, by considering P<0.05 as significant.

Results: The frequency of unstable angina and stable angina were the most in group 1. The relative risk for unstable angina was 1.55(1.46-1.61) in group 1 and for stable angina was 1.54(1.47-1.62) in this group. The risk of thrombophlebitis was 8.48 (7.07-10.17) in group 2.

Conclusion: Workers in industry with chemical pollutants had cardiovascular disorders. The occupational exposures, especially chemical agents are effective on cardiovascular system.

Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka.

Materials and Methods: Study design was cross-sectional in nature. After a pilot study, multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: Prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly higher (81%) and 36.9% had poor oral hygiene. Prevalence of smoking, tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on age, gender, and habits such as smoking, tobacco chewing, and alcohol consumption was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively.

Conclusion: Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.

Assessment of workhour feeding practices, healthy behaviour score and body mass index of physicians in Northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional multi-centre study

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The increasing obesity/overweight prevalence among health workers calls for an appraisal of their lifestyle. This study assessed medical practitioners' workhour feeding and lifestyle practices and explored the relationship between these practices and their body mass index (BMI).

Methods: The survey involved 321 medical practitioners selected from 9 northern Nigeria hospitals in 2021. Data collected included biodata, medication history, workhour feeding characteristics, lifestyle behaviours, blood pressure, height, and weight measurements. Data were analyzed using Epi info software (version 7).

Results: Most respondents were male (70.7%). Their mean age was 38±7.4 years. During their last workhours, 84.1% had lunch, 46.4% took sugary drinks, 2.7% brought lunch from home, and 1.3% took nothing. Only 18.7% patronize their hospital canteen weekly. Most reported healthy behaviour towards alcohol (99.7%) and, fruit/vegetable (54.8%) consumption, and smoking (98.4%), but only 22.4% were physically active. Their mean healthy behaviour score and BMI were 2.8±0.7 and 26.1±4.6 kg/m², respectively. The obesity and overweight rates were 18.4% and 37.7%, respectively. Their source of lunch during workhours, age, sex, years of practice, employment duration, marital status, job category, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive, and antidiabetic medication use were significantly associated with mean BMI. However, only antihypertensive medication use, being married, inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption and workhour sugary drinks consumption predicted obesity. The predictors of overweight/obese were long practice experience (<10y) and use of antihypertensive medications.

Conclusions: Overweight and obesity rates were high. Most were physically inactive. Workhour sugary drink consumption predicted obesity. Effective workplace and community interventions to improve practitioners' lifestyle behaviour and curtail obesity and overweight are needed.

A historical and palaeopathological perspective on cancer.

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Cancer is often wrongly considered to be a modern disease in many popular medical venues. Cancers have been known to mankind since ancient times. In fact, its antiquity can be proved through the application of palaeopathological methodologies.
The present perspective piece demonstrates by means of a historical and palaeopathological analysis how oncological manifestations were present long before the emergence anatomically modern humans and addresses the epidemiological transition from ancient times to the contemporary world.

The final section of the article is dedicated to the analysis of breast cancer and its identification in ancient human remains.

Balto and Togo during the cold winter of Alaska (1925): the two canine heroes in the fight against diphtheria.

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, diphtheria has re-emerged in areas with inadequate vaccination coverage, and Europe has not been spared with several cases among migrants. Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection caused mainly by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Due to the high mortality rate, especially among young children, the fight against diphtheria is considered one of the first conquests of immunization. In the history of medicine, there is a unique case of an unconventional response to a diphtheria outbreak in which sled dogs were used to overcome the supply difficulties of diphtheria antitoxin. The mass media followed the medical response to the outbreak and raised audience awareness of public health issues. The facts of Nome, Alaska, in 1925 can serve as a catalyst to rethink conventional responses to diphtheria outbreaks in low-income countries today and promote mass media awareness of public health importance.

The history of polio vaccination with “Sabin’s OPV” 60 years after its introduction in Italy: an unforgivable “delay”

Carola Minet, Lucia Valchi, Mariano Martini, Davide Orsini — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT

In the spring of 1964, polio vaccination with the oral vaccine developed by Albert Sabin began in Italy. Polio was feared in the world and in Italy. Thus, between 1957 and the beginning of 1958, Italian children began receiving the “Salk vaccine”, though the results were not particularly convincing. In July 1960, the international scientific community was able to verify the data from the mass testing of the Sabin vaccine. It became clear that the OPV, could prevent the virus from multiplying, thereby providing greater protection and determining the eradication of the disease. In 1960 over 70 million people in the USSR alone had already received the oral vaccine and mass vaccination in the USA would start in March 1961. However, in Italy there was no similar initiative; only later the new vaccine was accepted but was not made compulsory at the beginning. As a result of the commission’s report, registration of the “Polioral” vaccine, was authorized in September 1962 but the sale of the vaccine was not authorized until November 1963. At the beginning of 1964, the production of “Polioral” started and the product was marketed and on the 1 st of March 1964, anti-polio vaccination with the “Sabin anti-polio vaccine” also began in Italy.

This manuscript focuses on a crucial issue about a historical delay for public health and it points out as the preparation and diffusion of the Sabin polio vaccine demonstrates that decisions regarding health treatments, and specifically vaccination campaigns, must be based exclusively on the results of clinical studies and on independent evaluation by the scientific community. This process ensures trust in vaccines, adequate protection of public health andcitizens’ well-being.

ERRATA CORRIGE - Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene 2023;64:E411‐E115. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421‐4248/jpmh2023.64.4.3152

Piero Luigi Lai — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

ERRATA CORRIGE

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene 2023;64:E411‐E115. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421‐4248/jpmh2023.64.4.3152