57 research outputs found
Difficulties in accessing health services and the avoidance of medical care during covid-19 pandemic: The experience on italian the elderly population
No full textMonitoring cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors in the adult population to better orient prevention strategies in Italy
No full textIntroduction. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in Europe and over the world. This study analyses health-related behaviours in adults referring doctorMaterials and methods. We used data from the Italian cross-sectional Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI gathered in 2015-2018. Complex survey design analyses included the Taylor series method for variance estimation and Poisson regression for associations between socio-demographic characteristics and CVD. Results. Among 132,598 respondents, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed CVD was 5%. Higher percentages are observed among: men, older individuals, socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Compared to the general population, people with CVD have greater risk and aggravating factors, and a worse health status overall. All protective behaviors and lifestyles shall be improved. Discussion and conclusions. In Italy, adults with CVD are more likely to be exposed to aggravating modifiable risk factors: it represents a valuable information for increased preventive interventions, even more in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario
P06-08 Socio-demographic profile of physically inactive adults living in Italy according to the PASSI data
No full textBACKGROUND: Insufficient physical activity (PA) or physical inactivity (PI) is one of the ten leading risk factors for global mortality. PI leads to 20-30% increased risk of all-cause mortality and monitoring its current levels and trends in general population is essential to track progress towards health targets, identify at-risk groups, assess policies' effectiveness, guide future planning. METHODS: PASSI (Progressi delle Aziende Sanitarie per la Salute in Italia - Progresses in ASSessing adult population health in Italy) is an ongoing cross-sectional Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) that monitors prevalence and temporal trends for the major modifiable health-related risk factors in the adults (18-69 years) residing in Italy. Data are collected in the Local Health Units (LHU) by trained personnel who administer a standardized questionnaire telephonically to sampled people. In the period 2015-2018, 132,717 people were interviewed in more of 90% LHUs (89 out of 101 in 2018), achieving a response rate above 80%. Concerning PA/PI, respondents are classified as per the WHO indicators in: (i) Active - basing on levels achieved in leisure time and/or heavy work; (ii) Partially active - in leisure time and/or moderate work or in spare time and without regular work; (iii) Inactive - in leisure time with sedentary work or in spare time and without regular work. PASSI calculates prevalence of PA/PI overall and by socio-demographic characteristics, including 95% confidence intervals (CI), and a logistic regression model estimates adjusted prevalence ratios (APR). RESULTS: In Italy, 28.8% (CI95%:28.5-29.1%) of adult population is featured by a sedentary lifestyle: PI is greater among women (32.4% vs. 25.1%; APR: 1.26), grows with age (34% in over50 vs. 24.7% among 18-34 year-old; APR: 1.34), is higher among deprived people both per economic difficulties (41.7% if many vs. 22.4% if none; APR: 1.39) and for education level (23.7% university vs. 47.2% primary/any; APR: 1.33). We observed a highly evident geographic gradient: PI amounts to 18.3% in the North, 25.2% in the Centre and 40.6% in the South. A multivariate analysis confirms these values are statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PASSI data provide strong evidence to support community prevention interventions on territorial planning or advice by health professionals
Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Prognostic Factors among Health Professionals in Italy: Results from the Nationwide Surveillance PASSI 2015–2018
No full text(1) Influenza causes a significant health and socio-economic burden every year, and health personnel (HP) are at higher risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens than the general population. (2) The study's purpose was to describe and compare influenza vaccine uptake and its prognostic factors among Medical Doctors (MDs) and Non-Medical Health Personnel (NMHP) vs. Non-HP (NHP). We analyzed 2014-2018 data (n = 105,608) from the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI that, since 2008, has been collecting health-related information continuously in sampled adults. (3) MDs and NMHP represented, respectively, 1.1% and 4.6% of the sample. Among HP, 22.8% (CI 19.8-26.1%) of MDs and 8.5% (CI 7.5-9.5%) of NMHP reported to have been vaccinated vs. 6.3% (CI 6.1-6.5%) in NHP. This difference is confirmed in the three categories (MDs, NMHP, NHP), even more across age groups: in 18-34 yy, respectively, 9.9%, 4.4%, 3.4% vs. 28.4%, 13.9%, 10.6% in 50-64 yy. PASSI surveillance shows an increasing influenza vaccination uptake over time, especially among MDs (22.2% in 2014 vs. 30.5% in 2018). (4) Despite such an increase, especially among younger HP, influenza vaccination uptake is low. Even more under pandemic scenarios, these figures represent key information to address effective strategies for disease prevention and health promotion
Exploring COVID-19 Vaccination Willingness in Italy: A Focus on Resident Foreigners and Italians Using Data from PASSI and PASSI d’Argento Surveillance Systems
No full text(1) The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities, both between foreign and autochthonous populations. Italy was one of the European countries that was the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, only limited data are available on vaccine willingness. This study aims to assess the propensity of foreign and autochthonous populations residing in Italy to be vaccinated and the relative associated factors. (2) Data were collected and analysed from the two Italian surveillance systems, PASSI and PASSI d’Argento, in the period of August 2020–December 2021. The data include those of the Italian resident adult population over 18 years old. A multinomial logistic regression model, stratified by citizenship, was used to assess the associations of sociodemographic, health, and COVID-19 experience variables with vaccination attitudes. (3) This study encompassed 19,681 eligible subjects. Considering the willingness to be vaccinated, foreign residents were significantly less certain to get vaccinated (49.4% vs. 60.7% among Italians). Sociodemographic characteristics, economic difficulties, and trust in local health units emerged as factors that were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Having received the seasonal flu vaccine was identified as a predictor of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among foreign and Italian residents. (4) This study underscores the significance of tailoring interventions to address vaccine hesitancy based on the diverse characteristics of foreign and Italian residents. This research offers practical insights for public health strategies, highlighting the importance of tailored educational campaigns, improved communication, and nuanced interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance and uptake within both populations
Smoking prevalence among healthcare workers in Italy, PASSI surveillance system data, 2014-2018
No full textIntroduction. Data on smoking among Italian Health Personnel (HP) from PASSI surveillance system from 2014-2018 were analysed.Materials and methods. Among 169,678 working-age respondents, smoking prevalence was estimated among 1,253 Medical Doctors (MDs), 4,840 Non-Medical HP (NMHP), 87,749 Non-HP (NHP) and multivariate analysis was conducted.Results. Current smokers were 23.0% among HP. Smoking prevalence in MDs (16.0%) was significantly lower than those observed in NMHP (25.3%) and NHP (28.6%). A declining trend was detected in all three groups and was more evident among MDs: from 20.8% in 2014 to 11.5% in 2018. Amongst MDs, smoking was significantly associated with male gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AdjOR=1.61), younger age (AdjOR=2.00), residing in South (AdjOR=1.71). Among NMHP, smoking prevalence was associated with low economic condition (AdjOR=1.54) and non-university education.Discussion and conclusions. To further reduce smoking in HP, it is necessary to develop specific training courses in educational curricula
Urban Health at a Glance in Italy by PASSI and PASSI d’Argento Surveillance Systems Data
No full text(1) The percentage of the world’s urban population is 56% and is expected to reach 68% by 2050. In this study, we have investigated the dimensions of individual health by relating them to the type of residing municipality. (2) We also analyzed the health status, prevention, lifestyle, and elderly conditions in illustrated from PASSI and PASSI d’Argento (PdA) surveillance systems data by estimating the prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for different municipal residences. (3) Urban areas negatively influence some health outcomes, such as respiratory system diseases (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18–1.30). With regards to the spontaneous participation in screening programs from female adults residing in urban areas, we observed ORs of 1.24 (1.13–1.37) and 1.30 (1.12–1.39) for breast and uterine cervix cancers, respectively. Urban contexts seem to promote healthy lifestyles, as there is a lower consumption of alcohol in both adult (0.92; 0.88–0.95) and elderly populations (0.85; 0.77–0.94), although sedentary life is more widespread. Compared to elderly residents living in rural settings, urban individuals find their neighborhood less safe and are less considered as a “resource”. (4) Urban areas promote some unhealthy conditions but can also be a valuable source of services and perspectives. According to the increasing urban population, public health policies towards implementing sustainable development should be established
Is the association between precarious employment and mental health mediated by economic difficulties in males? Results from two Italian studies
No full textFlexible employment is increasing across Europe and recent studies show an association with poor mental health. The goal of the current study is to examine this association in the Italian population to assess the possible mediating role of financial strain. Methods: Data were obtained by two Italian cross-sectional studies (PASSI and HIS) aimed at monitoring the general population health status, health behaviours and determinants. Mental health status was assessed using alternatively two validated questionnaires (the PHQ-2 and the MCS-12 score) and Poisson regression models were performed to assess if precarious work was associated with poor mental health. A formal mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate if the association between precarious work and mental health was mediated by financial strain. Results: The analyses were performed on 31,948 subjects in PASSI and on 21,894 subjects in HIS. A nearly two-fold risk of depression and poor mental health was found among precarious workers, compared to workers with a permanent contract, which was strongly mediated by financial strain. Conclusions: Even with the limitations of a cross-sectional design, this research supports that precarious employment contributes through financial strain to reduce the mental health related quality of life and to increase mental disorders such as symptoms of depression or dysthymia. This suggests that when stability in work cannot be guaranteed, it would be appropriate to intervene on the wages of precarious jobs and to provide social safety nets for ensuring adequate income
The two behavioural risk factor surveillances on the adult and elderly populations as information systems for leveraging data on health-related sustainable development goals in Italy
No full textCurrent lengthening of average life and constant increase of population ageing associated to forces that include rapid unplanned urbanisation and globalisation of unhealthy behaviours have determined the huge relevance of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Monitoring key modifiable behavioural risk factors has resulted to be crucial both in spatial terms and as per temporal trends in order to allow comparisons between different geographic areas or levels and over time
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