1,721,041 research outputs found
Treatment-as-prevention in prison settings: a growing evidence base for HCV elimination efforts
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Factors Affecting the Implementation Process of Pertussis [Tdap] Immunization in Pregnant Women in an Italian Region: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkWhooping cough (pertussis) represents one of the most prevalent vaccine-preventable diseases in Western countries, capable of causing disease in infants, with a high risk of severe complications. To protect new-borns from pertussis, many countries have introduced the acellular pertussis adult vaccine in combination with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids for women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Thanks to the approval of the new National Immunization Prevention Plan 2017–2019: Italy is among those countries. The Italian health-care system is a regionally based National Health Service, therefore, regions organize and implement new vaccination strategy on their own. This study focuses on Tuscany's experience in implementing the maternal pertussis vaccination. The present study had a qualitative design: we obtained information about the implementation process through interviews with relevant stakeholders involved in the planning or implementation of vaccination programme at different levels. We noticed heterogeneous implementation's status between Tuscan Health Care Departments. The most frequently reported barriers influencing the success of the implementation process of this prevention strategy included: lack of accountability, lack of enabling instruments, financial constraints, logistics barriers, training deficiencies, attitudes of health care workers, and lack of communication experts. The implementation of new vaccination programs is complex and challenging. Often the importance of education and information activities targeting health professionals are underestimated and underfunded. These elements would need to be carefully considered and adequate provisions should be made to address them when designing and implementing effective vaccine interventions
La vaccinazione dTpa in gravidanza per la prevenzione della pertosse nel neonato [Tdap vaccination during pregnancy to protect newborns from pertussis infection]
Full text linkBackground. Nowadays whooping cough (pertussis) represents one of the most prevalent vaccinepreventable diseases in Western countries; even more, it is currently on rise. In many countries, the use of acellular pertussis adult vaccine in combination with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Tdap) is recommended for women during pregnancy to protect newborns in the first months of life, when they are too young to be vaccinated. In Italy, vaccination of women during the third trimester of pregnancy is included in the national immunization programme (PNPV 2017-2019), though up to now, this vaccination strategy has not been efficiently implemented. Objective. In view of the public health importance of pertussis, particularly in young infants, we undertook this review to summarise the existing evidence on immunogenicity, effectiveness, safety and uptake of pertussis vaccine in expectant mothers to protect newborns from pertussis. Conclusions. There is an increasing evidence that supports the safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness of Triaxis® e Boostrix® pertussis vaccination during pregnancy to protect infants before they receive their primary immunisations. In particular, both vaccines showed 90% effectiveness in the reduction of pertussis disease and hospitalization in newborns, with 95% effectiveness in the reduction of deaths. In Italy, the implementation of antenatal vaccination against pertussis is needed to narrow the gap between the recommendation of the PNPV and the prevention strategies actually offered by the public health system. To reach a good level of vaccine coverage, providers' recommendations are critical. Hence, extensive education of vaccine givers and all primary and secondary healthcare professionals who have any contact with pregnant women is needed
Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning pertussis maternal immunization in a sample of Italian gynaecologists
No full textInfants are at risk of developing serious diseases as a consequence of pertussis infection. Thus, to protect newborns, many countries, including Italy, have introduced pertussis maternal immunization. However, despite the compelling evidence supporting Tdap vaccinations, the rates of coverage among Italian pregnant women have remained consistently very low. Numerous studies have shown that healthcare providers’ recommendations are critical for achieving high maternal vaccination coverages. This study explores Italian gynecologists’ knowledge, attitude and practices concerning pertussis maternal immunization. Between July 2018 and September 2018, we performed a national cross-sectional survey administered by e-mail using the mailing list of the Association of Italian Hospital Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AOGOI): the mailing list included more than 3500 members. A total of 451 respondents distributed throughout Italy completed the online survey. Overall, 275 (60.97%) respondents did not routinely recommend pertussis vaccination to pregnant women, mainly for suboptimal knowledge of the maternal pertussis vaccine, protocols, and guidelines: furthermore, 15.44% (69/447) of gynecologists were not aware of the pertussis vaccination program for pregnant women. Gynecologists working in the South or in the Islands of Italy were less aware about the need of administering Tdap in expectant mothers, suggesting that there is a potential risk of health inequalities based on differing levels of vaccine knowledge and recommendations across Italy. In order to enable healthcare professionals to provide accurate and timely information on pertussis immunization to pregnant women, targeted educational programs to improve gynecologists’ knowledge on pertussis vaccination are needed
Impact of mandatory law on vaccine hesitancy spectrum: The case of measles vaccine catch-up activities in Tuscany, Italy
Full text linkThe 'Caring' Approach: A Theoretical Basis for Comprehensive Sexuality Education
No full textThe paper presents a theoretical and empirical research to frame Sexuality Education (SE) within an
innovative reference: the Theory of Care.
SE is recognized by the world's leading health and educational institutions necessary to promote the health
and full development of young people. The most recent research recommends a model called
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), a curriculum-based approach that goes beyond a strictly
health risk prevention vision to include the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.
In 2024, Italy is one of the very few European countries that have not yet made SE mandatory in schools:
current initiatives are fragmented, while Italian students, who understand the value of SE, consider the
context school to be most appropriate. In response to this gap, the EduForIST project “Development of
technical-practical tools for carrying out educational and training activities in the field of sexuality,
relationships and prevention of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) in the school setting” was funded
from 2019 to 2025. This interdisciplinary project is carried out at the national level, with financial support
from the Ministry of Health. The project adopted the CSE perspective; however, it recognized that it lacked
a radical theoretical foundation. SE is first and foremost a pedagogical action: therefore, it requires a
pedagogical wisdom capable of grounding actions that should not be mere informative or preventive
interventions, but real opportunities for the formation of the person, including in the dimension of being that
is their sexuality.
The EduForIST project has found in the philosophy of care the theoretical frame of reference to ground
CSE on a rigorous basis. The proposal presents a phenomenology of human being and their sexuality
and a phenomenology of the educative act, conceived as an act of care. In Aristotelian terms, care is
the practice that aims at the flourishing of the human being in all its aspects: consequently, a "caring
CSE" can be understood as an act of care that contributes to the full flourishing of people, including in
its sexual dimension. The importance of the theoretical model is confirmed by the qualitative empirical
research carried out in the project. Indeed, the educators who implemented the activities were asked to
write a daily reflective journal and/or summarize what happened in the classroom and their own
reflections on it through a SWOT analysis. As a result, 48 documents were collected that provide insights
for improving the design and implementation. The journals and the SWOT analysis were analyzed using
the empirical phenomenological method, an innovative reading of Husserl applied to empirical research,
since the data consist of a lived experience of the subject, the deep meaning of which can be grasped
through the epochè and the search for the essence.
Through a gradual coding of the texts and the construction of hierarchies of essences, we noted how
educators recognized the "caring" approach of CSE as capable of fostering a meaningful relationship
by meeting the needs and desires of young people and building a constructive relationship with
educational agencies (school, family, communities).
The relevance of the research lies in the combination of theoretical and empirical statements around a
fundamental element of innovative educational practice: the caring approach
Risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings
Full text linkThe transmission of infectious agents within healthcare settings is a priority public health problem. Although the main burden of healthcare-associated infections is commonly caused by Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, vaccine-preventable diseases represent an additional infectious risk for patients attending healthcare facilities. Hepatitis B, rotavirus gastroenteritis, influenza, measles, pertussis and pneumococcal and meningococcal invasive bacterial infections still represent a threat, notwithstanding the presence of universal vaccination programs. For this reason, healthcare worker immunization is an important strategy to limit the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases in such a fragile population
Impact of mandatory law on vaccine hesitancy spectrum: The case of measles vaccine catch-up activities in Tuscany, Italy
Full text linkCommentary on the impact of 2017 Italian law mandating ten vaccinations for children
Comprehensive sexuality education in Italian secondary schools: the EduForIST national project
No full textThis article outlines the co-construction, implementation and evaluation process of a pilot CSE intervention conducted in Italian secondary schools in 2023 as part of the EduForIST project
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