Gambling in nursing students of the University of Palermo

INTRODUCTION

Gambling disorder is recognized as a psychiatric disorder. It is shown that the prevalence of pathological gambling is on the rise among university students, especially involving students attending the nursing degree course. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of gambling's problem and to analyze the associated factors in the population of nursing students at the University of Palermo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It's a cross-sectional study. In April 2019, a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire was provided to students who attend daily lessons of the 3-years nursing degree course of University of Palermo, after they gave informed consent. The questionnaire investigates on socio-demographic information, year of study, the perception of the economic and health status, alcohol use disorders and gambling problems.

RESULTS

The average age of the sample is 22.0 years (standard deviation ±4.3), 67.6% of the interviewees are women. The analysis shows that the risk to be "Player at risk/Moderate gambling problems/Serious game problems" is significantly associated with the following independent variables: male gender (aOR 5.15); "Do you live with your family? No" (aOR 2.98); "perceived health status: low" (aOR 2.51); "Risky consumption of alcohol: At Risk" (aOR 3.40).

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to develop an effective gambling prevention program that will reduce the risk that youths will develop gambling problems. Participation in the prevention program significantly improves youths' attitudes and knowledge regarding gambling activities.

Health status, diseases and vaccinations of the homeless in the city of Palermo, Italy

INTRODUCTION

In Italy, as in the rest of the world, the number of homeless people is increasing considerably. Many of them suffer from chronic conditions, mental health problems and addiction to alcohol, drugs or smoking, and need complex medical care. Their health status is often exacerbated by greater difficulty in accessing primary care. The aim of the present study was to assess health conditions of homeless people living in Palermo, Southern Italy, and to find ways to limit the spread of common infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed. The questionnaire was structured into two parts including an introduction with socio-demographic information, and a second part investigating health status, chronic diseases and vaccinations. A multivariable logistic regression model was used and adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) are presented.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 52 homeless, 35 (67.3%) of whom were male and the most represented age class (55.8%) was < 50 years of age. The average age of the sample was 49.6 years (SD ± 15.2) and 88.5% were born in Italy. A multivariable logistic regression model based on 52 observations was used. The analysis showed that the female gender was significantly associated with: not performing regular physical activity (aOR 4.14, 95% C.I. 1.20 - 14.32, p = 0.025), suffering from chronic diseases (aOR 3.52, 95% C.I. 1.02 - 12.11, p = 0.046) and taking medicines (aOR 3.95, 95% C.I. 1.14 - 13.64, p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

This particularly fragile population is exposed to diseases that are largely preventable or curable through a wider and more early access to care by local health facilities with a subsequent reduction in the worsening of clinical outcomes and related social costs.

Evolution of risk management in health care system: survey on the adverse events occurred in Palermo University Hospital Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”

Introduction

We aimed at carrying out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of claims for adverse events addressed to Palermo University Hospital Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” in order to promote evidence-based interventions and increase patient safety.

Methods

A retrospective study of 296 claims collected between 1st of January, 2014 and 31st of December, 2017 by Quality and Clinical Risk Management staff unit was performed along with descriptive analysis of any associated determinant factors.

Results

The most frequent causes of claims consisted of wrong surgical procedures (33.8%), mistaken diagnoses (18.6%), falls (17.6%), infections (6.4%), postoperative complications (5.4%) and wrong therapies (3.1%). At the end of the survey, the judicial process was not concluded in the majority of cases (82.8%). Claims were closed by receipt payment in 12.2% of cases, without any payment in 5.1%.

Conclusions

Clinical risk management plays a pivotal role in providing information and tools to prevent medical adverse events, avoid claims addressed to hospitals and improve the quality of health care.

Methodological issues in a cross-sectional survey on cervical cancer screening using telephone interviews in Sicily (Italy): a SWOT analysis

Objective

A cross-sectional study on knowledge, perceptions, and adherence to cervical cancer screening was conducted using telephone interviews of Sicilian women that were performed in 2016. This study aimed to identify areas that need to be addressed to improve the validity of data collection and to minimize possible biases.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study through SWOT analysis, which is a multidimensional method based on evaluation of Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O), and Threats (T) of the research project. The contents of the SWOT forms underwent categorical, inductive, and deductive data analysis using the long table analysis method.

Results

The full availability of an updated address and phone number list was the main organizational aspect to be addressed. Socio-cultural context played a major role for understanding the questions and for acceptability of the topics. In some cases, a family member was a facilitating element, while in others, the family member hindered the interviews. Active involvement of general practitioners was considered essential for success of the interviews.

Conclusions

When performing a cross-sectional survey, organizational aspects and active involvement of general practitioners are crucial in the enrolment phase, regardless of the socio-cultural context.

Factors associated with reporting adverse reactions after immunization, study in a sample of university students

INTRODUCTION

On the day of a workshop (named "Vaccino Day") on vaccinations, organized for the students of the University of Palermo by the ERSU (Regional Office for the Right to University Study), the sample of students were given a questionnaire to fill out. The aim of the survey was to investigate the perception of vaccinations on a sample population made up of university students.

STUDY DESIGN

A self-administered paper questionnaire was given to participants of the workshop. The questionnaire is divided into 3 parts: demographic, economic and habits informations have been asked in the first part; in the second part, they had to answer the question: "What term do you associate with vaccination?"; in the third part, they were posed the question: "Have you ever had any adverse reactions after being vaccinated?". Therefore, the percentage response frequencies and the statistically significant Odds-Ratio (aOR) are presented with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA® 14 software.

METHODS

A total of 350 students were asked to participate and the response rate was 100%, the 61.43% of the interviewed population was made up of females. Taking into account the dependent variable: "at least a moderate-severe adverse reaction after a vaccination" the statistically significant independent variables associated are "Have fear of side effects" (aOR 7.06, 95% CI 1.73-28.57, p=0.006), "I associate the term "vaccination" to Needles/syringes" (aOR 3.82, 95% CI 1.08-13.48, p=0.037), "I associate the term "vaccination" to Protection" (aOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.02-11.98, p=0.046).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination is still influenced by emotional factors and lack of campaigns providing adequate information, therefore negative judgement tend to outweigh the real risks and benefits. Considering that the sample was composed of university students, being highly educated and capable of becoming opinion leaders in the future, there is a need to create a more efficient communication protocol that make the student, and then the citizen, better aware of the actual risks associated with vaccinations and their real benefits.

Treatment of symptoms of erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea with topical potassium azeloyl diglycinate and hydroxypropyl chitosan: Results of a sponsor-free, multicenter, open study

Thirty-seven adult Caucasian patients (9 males and 28 females), with erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea accompanied by stinging and burning sensation, were treated with a cream containing 5% potassium azeloyl diglycinate and 1% hydroxypropyl chitosan. All patients were previously treated at other centers with topical azelaic acid and/or metronidazole. The cream was applied twice daily for 12 weeks. The objective of the study was the evaluation of the soothing effect of the cream: stinging and burning sensation were measured by means of a 4-point scale (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe). All patients were clinically evaluated every 4 weeks. Of 37 patients (81.1%), 30 were considered evaluable. Before the beginning of the study, the total score of stinging and burning sensation was 66 (mean: 2.2 points/patient); at the end of the study, it was 37 points (-29) (mean: 1.2 points/patient), with a reduction of 56.1%. No side effects were reported or observed. This study shows that the fixed combination potassium azeloyl diglycinate - hydroxypropyl chitosan is effective in reducing stinging and burning sensation in patients with erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea.