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Hamunyela LU, Niikondo HN, Nakweenda MN. Nursing students' knowledge and attitudes on sexually transmitted infections prevention at training institution in Namibia. Health SA 2024; 29:2483. [PMID: 38445043 PMCID: PMC10913170 DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Insufficient knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among nursing students can impact patient care and outcomes. To address this, comprehensive STI education is crucial. Aim This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding STI prevention and control. Setting The research was conducted at a nursing training institution in Windhoek, Namibia. Methods The research employed a cross-sectional design with 73 participants. Results Outcomes revealed that 63.0% had satisfactory knowledge and 79.5% exhibited positive attitudes. A significant association was noted between knowledge and participants' sex. Male participants displayed poor knowledge (70%). No significant relationship existed between demographic characteristics and attitudes. Conclusion The study concluded lower than expected knowledge regarding STIs among nursing students that implicated patients' care. Contribution Integrating STI education into nursing curricula can improve students' competences that enhance patients' care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonia U Hamunyela
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Hileni N Niikondo
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Monika N Nakweenda
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
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Sleiman V, Obeid S, Sacre H, Salameh P, Hallit S, Hallit R. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Lebanese university students related to sexually transmitted diseases: a cross-sectional study. Croat Med J 2023; 64:213-221. [PMID: 37654033 PMCID: PMC10509678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To appraise Lebanese university students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020. A total of 402 students (67.9% women) from ten universities located in different Lebanese regions were recruited through convenient sampling. RESULTS Pursuing a major in non-health sciences compared with a major in health sciences (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.08) was significantly associated with lower odds of having better knowledge of STDs. Older age (aOR=1.09) was significantly associated with higher odds of having better knowledge of STDs. Having good vs poor knowledge (aOR=3.88) was significantly associated with higher odds of having favorable attitudes toward STDs, whereas pursuing a major in non-health sciences compared with a major in health sciences (aOR=0.28) was significantly associated with lower odds of having favorable attitudes toward STDs. Women compared with men (aOR=2.21) had higher odds of having healthier practices related to STDs. Attitude did not mediate the association between knowledge and practice. CONCLUSION Attitude did not significantly mediate the association between knowledge and practice. Therefore, educational programs and awareness campaigns should be implemented in secondary schools and among vulnerable non-medical students. Such efforts can help students identify the symptoms of STDs, seek medical attention, and make informed decisions to protect themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Souheil Hallit
- Souheil Hallit, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon,
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Khryanin AA, Shpiks TA, Russkikh MV. Comparative analysis of sexual behavior and assessment of awareness of STIs and HIV infection among young people of two generations. VESTNIK DERMATOLOGII I VENEROLOGII 2022. [DOI: 10.25208/vdv1379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A comparative analysis of the results of a survey of young people (belonging to two different generations: millennials and zoomers) on sexual behavior and awareness of STIs and HIV infection allows us to assess the existing characteristics of the sexual behavior of young people and contribute to the further improvement of preventive measures among young people regarding STI/HIV infection.
Aims: Comparative analysis of sexual behavior and assessment of the level of knowledge about STIs and HIV infection among young people (generations Y and Z).
Materials and methods: For a comparative assessment of the level of awareness on the issues of prevention and risky sexual behavior in relation to STIs and HIV infection, data from earlier sociological surveys of young people in 20012002 and in 20172020 in the city of Novosibirsk were used. Among the respondents, a questionnaire was used, consisting of 23 questions, developed by the staff of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the St. acad. I.P. Pavlov and the Center for the Sociology of Deviance and Social Control of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, adapted by the authors. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS programs. The 2 test and the independent Student's t-test were evaluated. Statistical significance was set as p0.05
Results: A total of 772 young men took part in the study, of which 321 students were interviewed in 2001-2002. (Generation Y), and 451 students in 2017-2020. (Generation Z). The results show that generations of young people (millineals and zoomers) differ from each other in terms of the source of information about STIs, sexual intercourse with strangers, condom use, and the frequency of same-sex sexual intercourse.
Conclusions: There is a positive trend in the sexual behavior of the younger generation. But a more structured promotion of STI/HIV prevention is needed, which will take into account current trends and features of obtaining information from young people.
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Facciolà A, D’Amato S, Calimeri S, Giudice DL, Micali C, Russotto Y, Venanzi Rullo E, Nunnari G, Squeri R, Pellicanò GF. Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccination in People Living with HIV: A Public Health Fundamental Tool for the Protection of Patients and the Correct Management of Infection. Infect Dis Rep 2022; 14:784-793. [PMID: 36286201 PMCID: PMC9602118 DOI: 10.3390/idr14050080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV/AIDS is considered a risk factor for increased mortality due to COVID-19. For this reason, it is essential to include this population in vaccination campaigns. Studies found that antibodies are lower in HIV+ patients than in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the immune response in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccination in order to evaluate the role played by the HIV infection in the efficacy of this vaccine. We carried out a cross-sectional study in the period April-September 2021, involving a cohort of PLWH and a cohort of HIV-uninfected people as the control group. The efficacy of vaccination was high in both groups despite a slight and not significant difference between them. However, important differences were found according to the intensity of the immune response. Specifically, while in the HIV+ group almost a quarter of people had a low response, it is important to remark that the control group had only a high or intermediate response after vaccination. Our results suggest the high efficacy of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in PLWH and the importance to vaccinate against COVID-19 in these patients in order to increase their protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Facciolà
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Smeralda D’Amato
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Calimeri
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Lo Giudice
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Micali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Ylenia Russotto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nunnari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Raffaele Squeri
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò
- Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and the Developmental Age “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
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Subotic S, Vukomanovic V, Djukic S, Radevic S, Radovanovic S, Radulovic D, Boricic K, Andjelkovic J, Tosic Pajic J, Simic Vukomanovic I. Differences Regarding Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Habits, and Behavior Between University Students of Medical and Nonmedical Professions in Serbia. Front Public Health 2022; 9:692461. [PMID: 35111707 PMCID: PMC8802719 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.692461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual habits, and behavior among students of medical and nonmedical students in Serbia. Methodology: The cross-sectional study of 1,273 university students of four undergraduate institutions in Serbia, two of medical and two of nonmedical orientation. A standardized questionnaire, prepared in line with the questionnaire of the European health research—the second wave (European Health Interview Survey—EHIS wave 2), according to defined internationally accepted indicators, was used as a survey instrument. Results: Statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between medical and nonmedical student groups was determined for the following parameters: naming four of five STIs (29.1 vs. 13.4%), knowledge about vaccines against some STIs (26.0 vs. 17.0%), relationship between HPV infection and cervical malignancy (48.2 vs. 16.7%) engaged in the sexual relations (87.9 vs. 76.4%), never used a condom (15.2 vs. 10.4%), underwent gynecological or urological examination (66.7 vs. 44.1%), and tested to one of STIs (10.5 vs. 4.9%). Conclusion: Both student groups have limited knowledge on possible consequences that risky sexual behavior has for reproductive health. Promotion of knowledge about STIs, awareness of all complications, and consequences of these infections certainly affect the reduction of risky behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir Vukomanovic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Djukic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Radevic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Snezana Radovanovic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Danijela Radulovic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Katarina Boricic
- Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Andjelkovic
- Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS), Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Ivana Simic Vukomanovic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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FACCIOLÀ ALESSIO, VISALLI GIUSEPPA, D’ANDREA GIUSEPPA, VARVARÀ MASSIMO, SANTORO GIUSY, CUFFARI ROSARIA, DI PIETRO ANGELA. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes: importance of a screening program for the early detection of risk conditions in a target population. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2022; 62:E934-E942. [PMID: 35603258 PMCID: PMC9104660 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.4.2360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are two of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In their genesis, an important role is played by some behavioural risk factors that may induce the onset of further risk factors represented by hypertension, prediabetes, overweight and obesity. This study aimed to show the importance of the screening methodology for early detection of these risk conditions in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes complications. METHODS We carried out a screening programme involving a cohort of people aged 45-60 in which risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were evaluated. The subjects were then classified into four groups according to the risk conditions. RESULTS A high percentage (27.0%) of the sample had some alteration in the detected anthropometric and/or clinical-laboratory parameters but were unaware of this condition and, consequently, not under therapeutic treatment. CONCLUSIONS The screening programme allowed the early detection of hypertension and prediabetes or full-blown diabetes conditions in subjects who were unaware they had a pathological condition, and consequently to proceed with adequate investigations and start healthy lifestyles/pharmacological therapies. Overall, the results highlight the need to anticipate these screening campaigns, especially in men, to increase the effectiveness of the prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- ALESSIO FACCIOLÀ
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: Alessio Facciolà, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy - E-mail:
| | - GIUSEPPA VISALLI
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - GIUSEPPA D’ANDREA
- Operative Unit of Epidemiology, Department of Prevention, Provincial Health Agency, Messina, Italy
| | - MASSIMO VARVARÀ
- Operative Unit of Epidemiology, Department of Prevention, Provincial Health Agency, Messina, Italy
| | - GIUSY SANTORO
- Operative Unit of Epidemiology, Department of Prevention, Provincial Health Agency, Messina, Italy
| | - ROSARIA CUFFARI
- Operative Unit of Epidemiology, Department of Prevention, Provincial Health Agency, Messina, Italy
| | - ANGELA DI PIETRO
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
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Cegolon L, Bortolotto M, Bellizzi S, Cegolon A, Bubbico L, Pichierri G, Mastrangelo G, Xodo C. A Survey on Knowledge, Prevention, and Occurrence of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Freshmen from Four Italian Universities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19020897. [PMID: 35055720 PMCID: PMC8776027 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background. The peak of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among adolescents/young adults suggests a low level of prevention. In order to assess whether the level of sexual health education (SHE), received by several channels, was effective at improving sexual behaviors, we conducted a survey among freshmen from four Italian universities. Methods. This observational cross-sectional study was carried out with an anonymous self-reported paper questionnaire, administered during teaching lectures to university freshmen of the northern (Padua, Bergamo, and Milan campuses) and southern (Palermo campus) parts of the country. Knowledge of STI (a linear numerical score), knowledge of STI prevention (dichotomous variable: yes vs. no) and previous STI occurrence (polytomous variable: "no"; "don't know"; "yes") were the outcomes in the statistical analysis. Results. The final number of freshmen surveyed was 4552 (97.9% response rate). The mean age of respondents was 21.4 ± 2.2 years and most of them (70.3%) were females. A total of 60% of students were in a stable romantic relationship. Only 28% respondents knew the most effective methods to prevent STI (i.e., condom and sexual abstinence), with a slightly higher prevalence of correct answers among females (31.3%) than males (25.8%). Students with history of STIs were 5.1%; they reported referring mostly to their general practitioner (GP) (38.1%) rather than discussing the problem with their partner (13.1%). At multivariable analysis, a significantly higher level of STI knowledge was observed in older students (25+ years of age), biomedical students, and those from a non-nuclear family; lower levels were found among students of the University of Palermo, and those who completed a vocational secondary school education. Those who had less knowledge about the most effective tools to prevent STIs included males, students from the University of Palermo, students registered with educational sciences, economics/political sciences, those of foreign nationality, and those whose fathers had lower educational levels. The risk of contracting a STI was significantly lower only in students not in a stable relationship (relative risk ratio, RRR = 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI = 0.48; 0.94), whereas such risk was significantly higher in students with higher STI knowledge (RRR = 1.15; 95%CI = 1.08; 1.22). Discussion and Conclusions. University freshmen investigated in this study had poor knowledge of STIs and their prevention. Unexpectedly, those with higher levels of knowledge had an increased risk of STIs. There have been no educational interventions-with good quality and long-term follow-ups-that increased the confidence that such SHE programs could have population level effects. A new high-quality study is therefore recommended to assess the effectiveness of an intervention generating behavioral changes; increasing only STI knowledge may not be sufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cegolon
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy
- Public Health Department, University Health Agency Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), 34128 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence: or
| | | | | | - Andrea Cegolon
- Department of Political, Social & International Relationships Sciences, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy;
| | - Luciano Bubbico
- Department of Sensorineural Disabilities, INAPP/Italian Institute of Social Medicine, 00198 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Pichierri
- Microbiology Department, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7QB, UK;
| | - Giuseppe Mastrangelo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences & Public Health, Padua University, 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Carla Xodo
- FISPPA Department, Padua University, 35137 Padua, Italy; (M.B.); (C.X.)
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Voyiatzaki C, Venetikou MS, Papageorgiou E, Anthouli-Anagnostopoulou F, Simitzis P, Chaniotis DI, Adamopoulou M. Awareness, Knowledge and Risky Behaviors of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Young People in Greece. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910022. [PMID: 34639324 PMCID: PMC8508576 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect mainly young individuals and cause health, social, and economic problems worldwide. The present study used a web questionnaire to assess the awareness, knowledge, sexual behaviors, and common practices regarding STDs in young Greek adults. The 1833 individuals, aged 18–30 years, who responded to the study seem to be particularly knowledgeable regarding STDs such as AIDS (97.7%), warts (97%), Chlamydia (92.2%), genital herpes (89.9%), syphilis (81.9%), and gonorrhea (72.1%), whereas lower percentages were noted for trichomoniasis (39.3%), Molluscum contagiosum (12.9%), mycoplasmosis (11.6%), and amoebiasis (7.4%). Regarding oral STD transmission, participants replied correctly for genital herpes (45%), warts (35.8%), and AIDS (HIV; 33.8%), whereas 30.2% were unfamiliar with oral sexual transmission. Of the participants, 52% were not aware that STDs might cause infertility. Only 40.4% of the respondents reported always using condoms during sexual intercourse, and 48.6% had never been tested for STDs. The majority of the young population (55%) presented a moderate knowledge STD score (41–60%) and was associated with demographic parameters such as age, gender, sexual preference, number of sexual partners, and residence (p < 0.05). These findings provide important information regarding the prevention of STDs and highlight the significance of developing more effective sex education programs for young people in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysa Voyiatzaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (P.S.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2105385690
| | - Maria S. Venetikou
- Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (M.S.V.); (F.A.-A.); (D.I.C.)
| | - Effie Papageorgiou
- Reliability and Quality Control in Laboratory Hematology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece;
| | - Fragiski Anthouli-Anagnostopoulou
- Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (M.S.V.); (F.A.-A.); (D.I.C.)
| | - Panagiotis Simitzis
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (P.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Dimitrios I. Chaniotis
- Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (M.S.V.); (F.A.-A.); (D.I.C.)
| | - Maria Adamopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (P.S.); (M.A.)
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VISALLI GIUSEPPA, FACCIOLÀ ALESSIO, MAZZITELLI FRANCESCO, LAGANÀ PASQUALINA, DI PIETRO ANGELA. Health education intervention to improve vaccination knowledge and attitudes in a cohort of obstetrics students. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2021; 62:E110-E116. [PMID: 34322625 PMCID: PMC8283633 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.1.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction To improve the vaccination coverage in pregnant women it is important to increase their knowledge of vaccines and related preventable diseases. Midwifes can play an important role because they are often the first contact for woman during her pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the vaccination knowledge and attitudes in a cohort of Obstetrics students in Italy and improve their knowledge through an informative health education intervention. Methods The study consisted in the administration of a first questionnaire followed by a health education intervention concerning all aspects of vaccinations. Then, a second questionnaire to evaluate the efficacy of the educational program was administered. Results From the pre-intervention questionnaire resulted that almost the whole sample (97.1%) were favorable to vaccines in general. Moreover, 65.7% of the participants declared a sufficient level of vaccination knowledge but 62.9% found herself unprepared to answer questions and provide information about vaccinations. Concerning the answers about vaccination in pregnancy, the correct answers went from 17.1 to 68.6% respectively before and after educational intervention. The training intervention obtained a total consensus (100%). The most part of the students (85.7%) declared that the received information changed some of their beliefs and the entire sample (100%) stated that it improved their preparation. Conclusions Our results revealed some critical issues in the preparation of midwifes about vaccinations and confirm the necessity to carry out health intervention campaigns to these health professionals that, for the role they play, they must necessarily be well prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- GIUSEPPA VISALLI
- Correspondence: Giuseppa Visalli, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via C. Valeria, Gazzi 98100, Messina Italy - Tel.: +39 090 221 3349 - Fax: +39 090221 3351 - E-mail:
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10
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Zizza A, Guido M, Recchia V, Grima P, Banchelli F, Tinelli A. Knowledge, Information Needs and Risk Perception about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases after an Education Intervention on Italian High School and University Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18042069. [PMID: 33672540 PMCID: PMC7923805 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adolescents and young people represent a significant public health problem that generates a pressing requirement of effective evidence-based education to promote primary and secondary prevention. The objective of the study is to evaluate how knowledge, information needs, and risk perception about HIV and STDs can change after targeted education interventions for students. A total of 436 subjects aged 15-24 attending high school (134 biomedical and 96 non-biomedical fields) and university courses (104 scientific and 102 non-scientific disciplines) were enrolled to respond to a questionnaire before and after the intervention. An improvement in knowledge was found in all groups, with statistically significant knowledge score differences between the four groups in 60% of the items. More than 94% of the students consider it useful to promote information on these issues. Receiving this information generated awareness and safety in more than 85% of high-school students and 93% of University students. Students widely perceived a great risk being infected with HIV/STDs, although pregnancy was seen as a more hazardous consequence of unprotected sex. This study shows that educational interventions are effective in improving knowledge, apart from findings about key knowledge topics, information needs, and risk perception, which provide significant insights to design future targeted education programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Zizza
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.Z.); (V.R.)
| | - Marcello Guido
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Virginia Recchia
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.Z.); (V.R.)
| | - Pierfrancesco Grima
- Infectious Diseases Operative Unit, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Federico Banchelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Andrea Tinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Veris delli Ponti” Hospital, Scorrano, 73020 Lecce, Italy
- Division of Experimental Endoscopic Surgery, Imaging, Technology and Minimally Invasive Therapy, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-339-2074078
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Seidu AA, Ahinkorah BO, Dadzie LK, Tetteh JK, Agbaglo E, Okyere J, Salihu T, Oteng KF, Bugase E, Osei SA, Hagan JE, Schack T. A multi-country cross-sectional study of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among sexually active men in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1884. [PMID: 33287785 PMCID: PMC7722450 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09996-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the importance of self-reporting health in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) control, studies on self-reported sexually transmitted infections (SR-STIs) are scanty, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with SR-STIs among sexually active men (SAM) in SSA. Methods Analysis was done based on the current Demographic and Health Survey of 27 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2018. A total of 130,916 SAM were included in the analysis. The outcome variable was SR-STI. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results On the average, the prevalence of STIs among SAM in SSA was 3.8%, which ranged from 13.5% in Liberia to 0.4% in Niger. Sexually-active men aged 25–34 (AOR = 1.77, CI:1.6–1.95) were more likely to report STIs, compared to those aged 45 or more years. Respondents who were working (AOR = 1.24, CI: 1.12–1.38) and those who had their first sex at ages below 20 (AOR = 1.20, CI:1.11–1.29) were more likely to report STIs, compared to those who were not working and those who had their first sex when they were 20 years and above. Also, SAM who were not using condom had higher odds of STIs (AOR = 1.35, CI: 1.25–1.46), compared to those who were using condom. Further, SAM with no comprehensive HIV and AIDS knowledge had higher odds (AOR = 1.43, CI: 1.08–1.22) of STIs, compared to those who reported to have HIV/AIDS knowledge. Conversely, the odds of reporting STIs was lower among residents of rural areas (AOR = 0.93, CI: 0.88–0.99) compared to their counterparts in urban areas, respondents who had no other sexual partner (AOR = 0.32, CI: 0.29–0.35) compared to those who had 2 or more sexual partners excluding their spouses, those who reported not paying for sex (AOR = 0.55, CI: 0.51–0.59) compared to those who paid for sex, and those who did not read newspapers (AOR = 0.93, CI: 0.86–0.99) compared to those who read. Conclusion STIs prevalence across the selected countries in SSA showed distinct cross-country variations. Current findings suggest that STIs intervention priorities must be given across countries with high prevalence. Several socio-demographic factors predicted SR-STIs. To reduce the prevalence of STIs among SAM in SSA, it is prudent to take these factors (e.g., age, condom use, employment status, HIV/AIDS knowledge) into consideration when planning health education and STIs prevention strategies among SAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Louis Kobina Dadzie
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Justice Kanor Tetteh
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer Agbaglo
- Department of English, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Tarif Salihu
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Kenneth Fosu Oteng
- Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Eustace Bugase
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sampson Aboagye Osei
- Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.,Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Schack
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Analysis of SF-6D Health State Utility Scores: Is Beta Regression Appropriate? Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:healthcare8040525. [PMID: 33271844 PMCID: PMC7712516 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8040525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Typically, modeling of health-related quality of life data is often troublesome since its distribution is positively or negatively skewed, spikes at zero or one, bounded and heteroscedasticity. Objectives: In the present paper, we aim to investigate whether Bayesian beta regression is appropriate for analyzing the SF-6D health state utility scores and respondent characteristics. Methods: A sample of 126 Lebanese members from the American University of Beirut valued 49 health states defined by the SF-6D using the standard gamble technique. Three different models were fitted for SF-6D via Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation methods. These comprised a beta regression, random effects and random effects with covariates. Results from applying the three Bayesian beta regression models were reported and compared based on their predictive ability to previously used linear regression models, using mean prediction error (MPE), root mean squared error (RMSE) and deviance information criterion (DIC). Results: For the three different approaches, the beta regression model was found to perform better than the normal regression model under all criteria used. The beta regression with random effects model performs best, with MPE (0.084), RMSE (0.058) and DIC (−1621). Compared to the traditionally linear regression model, the beta regression provided better predictions of observed values in the entire learning sample and in an out-of-sample validation. Conclusions: Beta regression provides a flexible approach to modeling health state values. It also accounted for the boundedness and heteroscedasticity of the SF-6D index scores. Further research is encouraged.
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CICCARESE G, DRAGO F, HERZUM A, REBORA A, COGORNO L, ZANGRILLO F, PARODI A. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviors among undergraduate students in Tirana, Albania: comparison with Italian students. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2020; 61:E3-E5. [PMID: 32490261 PMCID: PMC7225650 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.1.1413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. CICCARESE
- Dermatologic Clinic, Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence: Giulia Ciccarese, Dermatologic Clinic, Policlinico San Martino, largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. Phone: +39 010 5555753 - E-mail:
| | - F. DRAGO
- Dermatologic Clinic, Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - A. HERZUM
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - A. REBORA
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - L. COGORNO
- Department of Experimental Medicine-Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - F. ZANGRILLO
- Section of Hygiene Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - A. PARODI
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Italy
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