Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene (JPMH)
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Vaccine Acceptance among travelers directed to areas with risk of dengue: a pilot study
Full text linkIntroduction Dengue is a vector-borne viral disease that causes a million of cases every year (including deaths). It is available a tetravalent live-attenuated virus vaccine for this infection. The aim of our study was to analyze vaccine acceptance, attitudes and behaviors among travelers directed to areas with risk of dengue.
Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in February – April 2024, at the Travel Medicine Clinic of Rozzano, Italy. We collected several information from adult travelers directed to areas at risk of Dengue. As well as, we registered the other vaccines that they accepted or refused and the antimalarial prophylaxis.
Results 58 travelers were included in our study: they chose 23 countries for their travel and the average length of stay was 16.98 days. Five (8.62%) refused dengue vaccination. 80% of these travelers, refused because considered the vaccination not necessary, 20% for its cost. No one refused for fear of side effects. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in vaccination acceptance. Age and length of stay did not influence the percentage of refusal.
Conclusions Vaccine hesitancy among travelers could be an important problem and further efforts should be done to limit this phenomenon
The penicillin revolution and the role of the forgotten pioneer Vincenzo Tiberio (1869-1915): discovery, development and legacy.
Full text linkPenicillin’s discovery is widely attributed to Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) Professor of Bacteriology at St. Mary\u27s Hospital in London in 1928, who observed the antibacterial effects of Penicillium mold. Fleming found that his "mold juice" was capable of killing a wide range of harmful bacteria, such as streptococcus, meningococcus and the diphtheria bacillus.
He then set his assistants, Stuart Craddock and Frederick Ridley, the challenging mission of isolating pure penicillin from the mold juice. It shown to be very unstable, and they were only able to prepare solutions of crude material to work with. Fleming published his findings in the British Journal of Experimental Pathology in June 1929, with only a passing reference to penicillin\u27s potential therapeutic benefits.
However, over 30 years earlier, Italian physician Vincenzo Tiberio (1869-1915) had conducted controlled studies on the bactericidal effects of mold extracts, publishing results that went largely unnoticed by the scientific community.
This article runs through a work plan timeline and significance of early antimicrobial discoveries, tracing the overlooked work of Tiberio, Fleming’s breakthrough, the biochemical properties of penicillin, and the wartime efforts that enabled its mass production.
The story of penicillin is not only one of scientific innovation but also of missed recognition, collaboration, and the complex interplay of chance and preparedness
Integration of the fundamental of care framework into the clinic (the CONFORM study): A quasi -experimental pre-post implementation study protocol: the CONFORM study
No full textIntroduction: Fundamental care addresses the essential physical and psychosocial needs of patients and is critical for safe, high-quality nursing practice. Despite growing awareness of its value, it remains one of the most neglected areas in clinical care. The Fundamentals of Care (FoC) Framework provides a structured approach to support its delivery, yet its practical implementation remains limited and underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating the FoC Framework into nursing practice to reduce patient length of stay in medical and surgical wards.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post implementation study will be conducted over 15 months in one medical and two surgical wards. The FoC Framework will guide interventions targeting key needs (nutrition, elimination, mobility, and education) identified through focus groups with nurses, patients, and caregivers. Following framework introduction, a six-month phase of individualised care will be implemented. Data on interventions and outcomes will be collected daily via the Electronic Health Record, both before and after implementation. The primary outcome is length of stay; secondary outcomes include adverse events, readmissions, patient and nurse satisfaction, turnover intentions, complaints, discharge rates, needs assessments, frequency of interventions, and goal achievement. Analyses will use t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests.
Conclusion: This study represents the first international systematic evaluation of the FoC Framework in clinical practice. Findings will contribute robust evidence on its potential to improve care quality, meet essential patient needs, enhance satisfaction among patients and staff, and reduce adverse outcomes
Vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: Draw on experience.
Full text linkObjectives. The present study aimed to identify factors that affect healthcare workers’ (HCWs) vaccine hesitancy and the subsequent changes in psychological well-being.
Study design. 800 employees (207 M; 14 aged ≤ 25; 145 aged 26-35; 381 aged 36-55; 260 aged > 55 years) were recruited from the San Martino Hospital during the first months 2021.
Methods. HCWs were asked to fill in an online survey assessing (a) demographics, (b) having contracted COVID-19 infection, (c) vaccination history (against COVID-19 and influenza), (d) expected changes in psychological well-being, (e) vaccine hesitancy and (f) factors leading to a decision about the vaccine (Information Trust, Information Seeking, Fear for the Self, and Sense of Responsibility).
Results. We found that, in vaccinated HCW, years of employment and adherence to the influenza vaccine indirectly affected vaccine hesitancy. These effects were mediated by HCWs’ sense of responsibility and information trust. Moreover, while information trust promoted positive changes in psychological well-being, vaccine hesitancy negatively affected it.
Conclusions. The present study consistently points to the crucial role of trusting information and having a sense of responsibility on vaccine hesitancy and, consequently, on psychological well-being. We discuss the practical implications for public health of these findings. In the conclusions, we suggest short-term and long-term strategies for improving vaccine adherence
Response to the letter “Breaking the Stalemate: How Italy\u27s Non-Medical Health Professions Are Trapped by Redundant Roles and Ineffective Degrees”
Full text linkComparing the trend of colorectal cancer before and after the implementation of the Population-Based National Cancer Registry in Iran
Full text linkIntroduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This disease is the fourth most common malignancy in Iran. Since knowing the trend of this cancer is necessary for planning; this study aimed comparing the trend of colorectal cancer before and after implementing the Population-Based National Cancer Registry.
Methods In this time series analysis using secondary data, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) was used to predict the future trend. An Interrupted Time Series (ITS) regression model was also used to compare the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer before and after the setting up the Iranian National Population-Based Cancer Registry (INPCR).
Results: Among Iranian men, an increasing trend in the incidence (from 16.8 in 2019 to 19.5 per 100,000 in 2027) and deaths of colorectal cancer for the coming years was predicted (from 10.2 in 2019 to 11.2 per 100,000 in 2027). A similar pattern also was observed for the incidence of this cancer among females (from 11 in 2019 to 12.3 per 100,000 in 2027), but a reverse pattern was predicted for the trend of deaths among the women (from 2.06 in 2019 to 1.93 per 100,000 in 2027). During the years after the implementation of the INPCR, the trend of cases (β: 0.33 per 100,000, p < 0.001) as well as deaths due to colorectal cancer was significantly increasing (β: 0.08 per 100,000, p < 0.001) among the Iranian population.
Conclusion: Implementation of population based cancer registration programs, may improved the cancer registration system and the part of the increase in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer could be due to the improvement of the registration and reporting system of new cancer cases
The responsibilities of commercial intermediation company as new food business: the case of a typical regional Italian food
No full textAccording to Regulation (EC) 178/2002, “any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of production, processing and distribution of food” must be classified as a “food business”. A food business operator (FBO) is defined as “the natural or legal person responsible for ensuring that the requirements of food law are met within the food business under their control”. We analyzed the particular case of an Italian wholesale commercial intermediation company, purchasing a typically carbohydrate-rich local product from producers and reselling it to retailers, although never taking physically possession of it. In the marketing process the company abnormally emphasized the food protein content of the product, providing false nutritional information on the label, thus committing food fraud. Moreover, sanitary guarantees on the operating methods and traceability were not provided, as required by the European law. In fact, to ensure food safety, every food business is subject obligation of registration (Regulation EC 852/2004), preparation of the self-control plan according to the principles of the HACCP system and traceability obligations (Regulation EC 178/2002). This case highlights the current general poor culture in food safety and shows the urgent need for awareness-raising and training interventions aimed at improving behaviors and clarifying the qualifications and the responsibilities of all parties involved, including FBOs and competent authorities, to prevent health risks and food frauds
Historical Perspectives on Scrofula: Competing Medical Discourses and Public Health Implications at the Turn of the 20th Century: Scrofula in the Context of Danish Medical History
No full textThis article examines how scrofula was classified as a distinct disease in Danish medical history around the turn of the 20th century. Dr. Niemeyer, a naturopathic advocate, attributed scrofula to an unhealthy composition of bodily fluids, whereas Dr. Geill viewed it as a tuberculous condition and a precursor to pulmonary tuberculosis. While they differed on causation – particularly regarding heredity – they agreed on prevention strategies, emphasizing fresh air, skin care, nutrition, and physical activity to reduce contagion and improve children’s resilience. Physicians advocated guiding children in dietary and hygienic practices to fortify their resistance against the tubercle bacillus. The article highlights how naturopathic discourses were challenged by emerging claims that scrofula was an infectious disease. Expanding clinical assessments to include home hygiene and working conditions reflected broader shifts in societal health rationales. Public health measures required coordinated efforts between physicians and municipal authorities rather than being solely an individual responsibility. Finally, this historical perspective is framed within a modern public health context, emphasizing the bio-psycho-social model of health and disease. It underscores the lasting relevance of interconnected health approaches, drawing parallels between past strategies against scrofula and contemporary public health efforts to address infectious and non-communicable diseases. Integrating historical insights into modern policy and practice can enhance health equity and prevention strategies
Italian Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Medical Doctor Residents’ interest in a Preventive Medicine Physician: a national survey
Full text linkIntroduction:
The growing importance of Preventive Medicine is creating a need for specialised professional figures, that are often missing in the actual national and international contexts. This study aimed to assess attitudes, knowledge, and compliance with preventive measures among 193 Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Medical Doctor Residents (HPMMDRs) in Italy, addressing the unrecognized significance of their role and inadequate Public Health education.
Methods:
Conducted from May 1st to May 31st, 2023, a web-based survey covered demographics, health behaviors, Preventive Medicine education, and interest. Statistical analyses included parametric tests, hierarchical cluster analysis, and ordered logit regression.
Results:
Demographically, 57.0% were female, median age 31, with central Italy having the highest representation (52.3%). Analyses revealed associations between demographics, health behaviors, and attitudes. Ordered logit regression showed a significant correlation (OR=11.3, p=0.03) between a healthier lifestyle and belief in specialists\u27 usefulness.
Conclusion:
Despite the lack of recognition and insufficient education, the study unveiled substantial interest and willingness to learn among HPMMDRs in Italy. Findings emphasize the need for recognizing shared priorities and implementing actions for effective Preventive Medicine interventions, guiding future research and policy decisions. 
The burden of Tuberculosis in a province of a low incidence country: epidemiological differences between Italy-born, regular foreigner and irregular foreigner TB cases.: Tuberculosis and migration in Siracusa LHA, Italy (2014-2023)
No full textIntroduction. Tuberculosis (TB) represent a serious public health issue even in most developed countries, where TB cases are mostly concentrated in some risk groups, like immigrants from high-incidence TB countries. Aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of TB in Siracusa Local Health Authority (Italy) and to explore its determinants in three different populations: Italy-born, regular foreigner and irregular foreigner.
Methods. Cases were classified per patient origin and legal ground: Italy-born (IB); regular foreigners (REF); irregular foreigners (IRF). All the notifications were evaluated and uploaded to the Notification System of Infectious Diseases (PREMAL) by the Epidemiology Unit of the Prevention Department of Siracusa LHA.
Results. During the study period, 183 TB cases were detected: 72 (39.3%) were Italy-born, 26 (14.2%) were regular foreigners and 85 (46.5%) were irregular foreigners. Overall, foreign-born cases (regularly and irregularly residents) accounted for 60.7% of all cases. We demonstrated significative differences in epidemiological, demographic and clinical features among the three different groups.
Furthermore, we registered a decrease in TB notifications of 59.5% among Italy-born patients, 46.0% among regular foreigners and 95.5% among irregular foreigners, who, however, remain the population group with the highest incidence of tuberculosis in Siracusa LHA.
Conclusions. TB control in migrants is considered key to achieving TB elimination in low TB incidence countries, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s End TB Strategy, that set ambitious targets for 2020–2035, including 90% reduction in TB incidence and 95% reduction in TB deaths by 2035, compared with 2015