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Berselli N, Caminiti M, Ancona A, Stacchini L, Gallinoro V, Catalini A, Cosma C, De Nicolò V, Mazza C, Minutolo G, Cedrone F, Gianfredi V. Social network characteristics and well-being in Italy: insights from the PHRASI Study. Ann Ig 2024; 36:169-181. [PMID: 38240182 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2024.2598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Mental well-being should be prioritized in public health as it represents a valuable resource for individuals and communities, influencing behavior, social cohesion and social inclusion. The support individuals receive from their social networks can have a significant impact on mental well-being. This study used data from the Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy, a nationwide cross-sectional survey. The objective was to assess the level of well-being among the Public Health Residents and investigate the association between the social network characteristics and the well-being in this population. Study design The current cross-sectional study targeted 1,600 public health residents enrolled in various Italian public health specialization schools between June 14 and July 26, 2022. Methods Participants self-reported both functional and structural characteristics of social network. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 well-being index. Linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were applied to examine the association between WHO-5 score and social network characteristics. Results Out of 379 participants, 51.5% reported bad well-being. Those with bad well-being are more likely women, experience lower peer-to-peer and supervisor support, face higher work-to-private life interference, and less frequently have a partner. Greater peer-to-peer support (β=1.13, 95% CI=0.68; 1.57), and increased supervisor support (β=1.26, 95% CI=0.86; 1.67), were associated with higher levels of well-being. Conversely, higher work-to-private life interference was associated with lower perceived well-being. Having a partner resulted in a better perceived well-being (β=1.96, 95% CI=0.94; 2.98). In logistic regression analysis, higher peer-to-peer support (OR=0.68, 95% CI = 0.55;0.85) greater supervisor support (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.49;0.74) and having a partner (OR=0.51, 95% CI = 0.32;0.82) were associated with reduced odds of bad well-being. Conversely, increased WLI was associated with higher odds of bad well-being (OR=1.47, 95% CI = 1.19;1.82). Conclusions The characteristics of an individual's social network play a crucial role in her/his well-being and should be considered both in personal and professional contexts when aimed to enhance mental well-being in communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa Berselli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marta Caminiti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-Sector of Public Health, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Ancona
- Faculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Region Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina De Nicolò
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Clara Mazza
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Minutolo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cedrone
- Hospital management, Local Health Authority of Pescara, Abruzzo Region, Italy
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Italy
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Cedrone F, Stacchini L, La Torre G, Berselli N, De Nicolò V, Caminiti M, Ancona A, Minutolo G, Mazza C, Cosma C, Gallinoro V, Catalini A, Gianfredi V, Nieto H, Stansfeld SA, Perri R, Buomprisco G, De Sio S. Work-Related Stress Questionnaire: confirmatory factor analysis for construct validation by the PHRASI study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2024; 28:392-401. [PMID: 38235891 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202401_34928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to validate the 13-item version of the Work-Related Stress Questionnaire (WRSQ) on a representative sample of Italian public health residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS The WRSQ was administered as part of the Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI) from 14 June to 26 July 2022. Collinearity between each questionnaire item was assessed with Kendall's τ statistic. The latent factors identified associating similar items based on the authors' observations were workplace, job demand, support and unpleasant workplace. Goodness-of-fit was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis calculating: Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Standardized Root-Mean-Residual (SRMR). Cronbach's alpha (α) and Omega McDonald (ω) were calculated to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire. R 4.2.2 was used to perform the analyses. RESULTS 379 Public Health residents (58% women) responded to the questionnaire. No significant collinearity was found between the items (τ range -0.31 to 0.49). Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed CFI = 0.975, TLI = 0.967, RMSEA = 0.041 and SRMR = 0.051. Internal consistency of the WRSQ Total Score was α = 0.80 and ω = 0.85. CONCLUSIONS Although validated in a sectorial subpopulation of healthcare workers, the WRSQ proved to be an excellent tool for assessing work-related stress. Unpleasant workplace latent factors showed lower factor loading and internal consistency than others. This could be due to the fact that topics investigated with unpleasant workplace items (e.g., abuse and discrimination) are experienced on a less regular basis than the ones assessed through the other items.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cedrone
- Hospital Management, Local Health Authority of Pescara, Pescara, Italy.
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Biasio LR, Zanobini P, Lorini C, Monaci P, Fanfani A, Gallinoro V, Cerini G, Albora G, Del Riccio M, Pecorelli S, Bonaccorsi G. COVID-19 vaccine literacy: A scoping review. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2176083. [PMID: 36794338 PMCID: PMC10026896 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2176083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To address vaccine hesitancy, specific self-rated tools have been developed to assess vaccine literacy (VL) related to COVID-19, including additional variables, such as beliefs, behavior, and willingness to be vaccinated. To explore the recent literature a search was performed selecting articles published between January 2020 and October 2022: 26 papers were identified using these tools in the context of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis showed that the levels of VL observed in the studies were generally in agreement, with functional VL score often lower than the interactive-critical dimension, as if the latter was stimulated by the COVID-19-related infodemic. Factors associated with VL included vaccination status, age, educational level, and, possibly, gender. Effective communication based on VL when promoting vaccination is critical to sustaining immunization against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. The VL scales developed to date have shown good consistency. However, further research is needed to improve these tools and develop new ones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrizio Zanobini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pietro Monaci
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alice Fanfani
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Veronica Gallinoro
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Cerini
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Albora
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Del Riccio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sergio Pecorelli
- Scientific Advisory Committee, Giovanni Lorenzini Foundation, Milan, Italy
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Stacchini L, Catalini A, De Nicolò V, Cosma C, Gallinoro V, Ancona A, Berselli N, Caminiti M, Mazza C, Minutolo G, Cedrone F, Gianfredi V. Social Network Characteristics and Depressive Symptoms of Italian Public Health Medical Residents: The Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI). Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:881. [PMID: 37998628 PMCID: PMC10798373 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social interactions and healthcare workers' (HWs') mental health, few studies have investigated the association between social network characteristics and HWs' mental health, particularly during the pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess the associations between public health residents' (PHRs') social network characteristics and depression. We used data from the Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI), a nationwide cross-sectional study. Social network characteristics were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Linear and logistic models adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, and alcohol were used. A moderation analysis by sex was also performed. A total of 379 PHRs participated in the survey (58% females, median age of 30 years). More peer-to-peer (odds ratio OR = 0.62 (0.47-0.83)) and supervisor support (OR = 0.49 (0.36-0.68)), more social participation ((OR) = 0.36 95% CI (0.25-0.50)), and having a partner (OR = 0.49 (0.25-0.96)) were significantly associated with a lower risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Work-to-private-life interference was significantly associated with a higher risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (OR = 1.77 (1.28-2.45)). Promoting a supportive work environment and social participation as well as reducing work-to-private life interference can contribute to reducing the high burden among PHRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Stacchini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy (V.G.)
| | - Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Valentina De Nicolò
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy (V.G.)
| | - Veronica Gallinoro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy (V.G.)
| | - Angela Ancona
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Nausicaa Berselli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Marta Caminiti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery—Sector of Public Health, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Clara Mazza
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Minutolo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cedrone
- Hospital Management, Local Health Authority of Pescara, 65100 Pescara, Italy;
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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Cedrone F, Berselli N, Stacchini L, De Nicolò V, Caminiti M, Ancona A, Minutolo G, Mazza C, Cosma C, Gallinoro V, Catalini A, Gianfredi V. Depressive Symptoms of Public Health Medical Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Nation-Wide Survey: The PHRASI Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20095620. [PMID: 37174140 PMCID: PMC10178174 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a widespread condition, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers as well. The large workload of the pandemic response also affected Public Health Residents (PHRs) who played an important role in infection prevention and control activities. This work aims to assess depression in Italian PHRs, based on data collected through the PHRASI (Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy) study. In 2022, 379 PHRs completed the self-administered questionnaire containing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to evaluate clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). Multivariate logistic regression shows that the intention (aOR = 3.925, 95% CI = (2.067-7.452)) and the uncertainty (aOR = 4.949, 95% CI = (1.872-13.086)) of repeating the test to enter another postgraduate school/general practitioner course and the simultaneous attendance of two traineeships (aOR = 1.832, 95% CI = (1.010-3.324)) are positively related with depressive symptoms. Conversely, the willingness to work in the current traineeship place (aOR = 0.456, 95% CI = (0.283-0.734)) emerged as a protective factor. Similar results were obtained considering mild-to-severe (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) depressive symptoms and/or stratifying by sex. The findings, suggesting the protective role of job satisfaction toward depression, might entail future interventions to improve the learning experience and promote work-life balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Cedrone
- Hospital Management, Local Health Authority of Pescara, 65100 Pescara, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Berselli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stacchini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina De Nicolò
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Caminiti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-Sector of Public Health, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Ancona
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Minutolo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Clara Mazza
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Veronica Gallinoro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
- CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Bonaccorsi G, Gallinoro V, Guida A, Morittu C, Ferro Allodola V, Lastrucci V, Zanobini P, Okan O, Dadaczynski K, Lorini C. Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2611. [PMID: 36767976 PMCID: PMC9915269 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Gender appears to be a strong predictor of online health information-seeking behaviour (OHISB), which is related to Digital Health Literacy (DHL). Gender differences in OHISB have been studied in different countries with different results, but no studies have investigated gender-specific OHISB among University students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to investigate any gender differences in OHISB in the period between the first and second waves of the pandemic in Italian university students. A questionnaire developed by the global COVID-HL network, including existing and adapted validated scales and self-developed scales, was administered to 2996 University students in Florence. Gender differences were tested using the χ2 test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Male students reported a higher score in DHL than females (p < 0.001). However, female students seek COVID-19 information more often on different sources (for themselves and other people), on various topics, consider various aspects of information quality to be "very important'' (p < 0.05) and are more likely to be "often dissatisfied'' or "partly satisfied'' with information (p < 0.001). Our study confirmed gender as an important dimension to explain students' OHISB differences, which could help institutions promote gender-specific education programmes and provide gender-oriented health information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Veronica Gallinoro
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Guida
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Morittu
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Valerio Ferro Allodola
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Vieri Lastrucci
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizio Zanobini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Orkan Okan
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich, Uptown München-Campus D, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80092 Munich, Germany
| | - Kevin Dadaczynski
- Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Center for Applied Health Science, Leuphana University Lueneburg, 21335 Lueneburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Catalini A, Mazza C, Cosma C, Minutolo G, De Nicolò V, Gallinoro V, Caminiti M, Ancona A, Stacchini L, Berselli N, Ferrari E, Cedrone F, Gianfredi V. Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI): Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study for a Multidimensional Assessment of Mental Health and Its Determinants. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20032003. [PMID: 36767369 PMCID: PMC9916276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a severe psychosocial crisis affecting patients, their relatives, friends, and healthcare professionals. In Italy, public health residents (PHRs) remain essential to the national response to the pandemic. To assess their mental sphere, the "Public Mental Health" working group of the medical residents' Assembly of the Italian Society of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine has designed the Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI). This is a nation-wide cross-sectional study based on an 88-item self-administered voluntary survey that evaluates how sociodemographic variables are associated with mental issues, including wellness, eating disorders, sleeplessness, alcohol misuse, depression, and anxiety. Data will be gathered by disseminating a Google Forms link across the Assembly network of medical residents. All PHRs enrolled in a four-year program in one of the Italian postgraduate schools of public health will be qualified as participants. PHRASI aims to draw a comprehensive and detailed picture of the mental health state of Italian PHRs. PHRs are a significant group of healthcare professionals that may serve as a future benchmark for developing and enacting regulations intended to support the mental health of healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Clara Mazza
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Minutolo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina De Nicolò
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Gallinoro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Caminiti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery—Sector of Public Health, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Ancona
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stacchini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Berselli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cedrone
- Hospital Management, Local Health Authority of Pescara, 65100 Pescara, Italy
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
- CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Guida A, Morittu C, Gallinoro V, Ferro Allodola V, Okan O, Dadaczynski K, Lorini C, Lastrucci V, Bonaccorsi G. Digital Health Literacy during COVID-19: gender differences from a Florentine University experience. Eur J Public Health 2022. [PMCID: PMC9594601 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender appears to be a strong predictor of online health information-seeking behaviour (OHISB). Gender differences in OHISB have been studied in different countries with different results, but no studies investigated gender-specific behaviour among University students during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought with it a consequential infodemic. We sought to investigate any gender differences in OHISB in the period between the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire promoted by the COVID-HL network was administered to 2996 students of all the courses at the University of Florence. It included existing validated scales adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and newly developed scales. Gender differences were tested using the χ2 test or the Mann-Whitney U test, where appropriate. Male students reported a higher score in DHL than females (p < 0.001). However, female students reported using more often different sources for online information seeking (p < 0.05, except for YouTube), searching more corona-related topics (p < 0.05, except for economic and social consequences) and considering ‘‘very important'’ each item in the ‘‘Importance of internet information search'’ section (p < 0.05). Furthermore, female students are more likely to be ‘‘often dissatisfied'’ or ‘‘partly satisfied'’ with information about COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and to search more often for information for themselves and other people. Our study confirmed that gender could affect the way students search for health information on the Internet. Since students, in particular females, have been affected by stress and anxiety during the pandemic, these findings could help institutions to promote gender-specific education programmes to improve students’ DHL and their mental health outcomes, as well as to provide health information that fit specific gender needs. Key messages • Gender influences how university students search on the Internet for health information. • This should guide institutions to better address educational programmes to improve their Digital Health Literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Guida
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
| | - C Morittu
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
| | - V Gallinoro
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
| | - V Ferro Allodola
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
- University of Florence Health Literacy Laboratory, , Florence, Italy
| | - O Okan
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - K Dadaczynski
- Department of Nursing and Health Science, Fulda University of Applied Sciences , Fulda, Germany
| | - C Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
- University of Florence Health Literacy Laboratory, , Florence, Italy
| | - V Lastrucci
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
- Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - G Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
- University of Florence Health Literacy Laboratory, , Florence, Italy
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Gallinoro V, Grazzini M, Paolini D, Dannaoui B, Farese A, Mantengoli E, Ipponi A, Pieralli F, Bonaccorsi G, Niccolini F. Information technology systems to support antimicrobial stewardship programs. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Problem
Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms that are responsible for life-threatening infections. Furthermore, overprescription of antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects and higher costs.
Description of the problem
Careggi is a tertiary care teaching hospital in Italy, with nearly 1,200-bed units, involved since 2015 in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. Despite implementation programs, carbapenems (CAR) consumption rates remained higher than the national average; for this reason, the AMS hospital team started a project aimed at improving the appropriateness of this type of drug.
Results
The project started in October 2021 and involved 10 hospital Units selected as the major prescribers of CAR. The strategies were planned by a multi-professional and multi-disciplinary team of experts in AMS and were set in place by a multimodal approach focused on information technology (IT) functions implemented in the electronic medical record such as:
• time-out alerts at 72 hours inviting physicians to evaluate if the prescribed antimicrobial is still warranted or effective against the identified organism(s);
• interactive and customizable prescribing algorithms to support physicians in empirical and targeted therapies;
• electronic dashboards viewable by physicians and the AMS team to daily monitor and review CAR prescriptions.
These functions were complemented by a series of training sessions for prescribing physicians aimed to promote a more rational and appropriate antimicrobials use. Six months after the project began, an overall reduction in the prescription of CAR was observed: from 6.2 DDD/100 patient-days to 4.9 DDD/100 patient-days.
Lessons
AMS programs use different interventions to influence the behavior of prescribers toward more appropriate use of antimicrobials. IT functions represent complementary and useful tools to promote antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Key messages
• Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim at optimizing antibiotic use and reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.
• Information technology systems represent useful tools within AMS programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gallinoro
- School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
| | - M Grazzini
- Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - D Paolini
- Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - B Dannaoui
- Computerization of Healthcare Processes Unit, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - A Farese
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - E Mantengoli
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - A Ipponi
- Pharmacy Department, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - F Pieralli
- High Intensity Internal Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
| | - G Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence , Florence, Italy
| | - F Niccolini
- Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital , Florence, Italy
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