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<title>Italian Journal of Public Health</title>
<link>http://www.ijph.it</link>
<description>Journal latest articles</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2012 Prex S.p.A.</copyright>
<docs>http://www.ijph.it/rss</docs>
<managingEditor>info@ijph.it</managingEditor>
<webMaster>info@ijph.it</webMaster>
<language>IT-it</language><item>
		<title><![CDATA[Public Health History Corner
Vincenzo Tiberio: a misunderstood researcher]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1077/public-health-history-cornervincenzo-tiberio.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The discovery of penicillin is associated with the name of Alexander Fleming, who in 1928 demonstrated the inhibition of growth of a bacterium around a mold, Penicillium notatum, on a culture plate. In 1940, based on the studies of Fleming, Florey and Chain were able to isolate and produce penicillin. Penicillin was to become a precious resource for the many wounded soldiers during the Second World War, paving the way for a new era in medicine. Fleming, Florey and Chain were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945 for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effects. However, in the official history of the discovery of penicillin there is a page that is missing: the page of Vincenzo Tiberio.]]></description>
		<guid>1077</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:45:07 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[The Osservasalute Health Report 2010: the contribution of a wide and independent Italian research network to decision making in healthcare]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1076/osservasalute-health-report-2010-contribution.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: The Italian Observatory Healthcare Report (IOHR - 8th edition) [1] aims to help policy makers in the process of decision making through a set of validated indicators resulting from the multidisciplinary activity of several public health experts. Its main task is to gather comparable data on the health status and the quality of health care services throughout the Italian regions. Methods: The report adopts a European approach in order to build a benchmarking activity and the selection criteria of indicators include: meaning, feasibility and quality, comparability and reliability. Each indicator is analyzed by experts in terms of meaning, pattern, validity and limits, graphic representation; recommendations are included for decision makers. A peer reviewing is performed for quality assessment. Results: The IOHR 2010 included 96 indicators, analysed by 203 authors. Through compa]]></description>
		<guid>1076</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:44:27 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Validation of the Global Health Professions Students Survey questionnaire in Italy]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1075/validation-global-health-professions-students.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: The World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Canadian Public Health Association have developed the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) questionnaire in order to collect data on tobacco use and cessation counselling among health- profession students. The aims of the study were to evaluate the reliability and validity of the GHPSS questionnaire in Italy among health-profession students and to examine the prevalence of tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes to it and tobacco cessation training among students attending Italian medical schools using the standardised GHPSS approach. Methods: Before testing tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training, we calculated the Cronbach’s alpha to assess the internal validity with the intention of avoiding misleading results. The questionnai]]></description>
		<guid>1075</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:43:35 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[The post-graduate public health school of Siena (Italy): ten years of experience]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1074/post-graduate-public-health-school-siena.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Introduction: Public universities and private schools in all countries have substantially expanded the postgraduate courses as a sign that degree is often not sufficient to ensure access to employment. Aim: To present the experience of an Italian Post-Graduate Public Health School (SPGPHS) from 1996-2005. Activity: We made a review of the Italian legislation governing the postgraduate training and we studied the structure of Post Graduate School in Public Health in several Italian and foreign prestigious universities. Results: The SPGPHS was attended by about 1,000 students from all the Italian Regions. 100 scientific papers were published and/or presented at national/international conferences; SPGPHS has also proven to be able to completely finance itself. Conclusions: Postgraduate university courses are becoming very important and attenders range widely in age. Many students undertake ]]></description>
		<guid>1074</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:42:21 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[The risk of abuse of legal firearms by old and young individuals with acquired cognitive impairments: a review of the literature]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1073/risk-abuse-legal-firearms-young-individuals.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Risk assessment in relation to firearms and cognitive impairments is complex, and no guidelines exist regarding the appropriate management of people with dementia who may own or have access to a firearm. In Italy, approximately 4.8 million people either own a firearm or use one for recreational, sporting or professional reasons. Recent studies report that firearms were used in 35.7% of suicides committed by people over 65 years old and that 5% of all suicides were committed by over 65-year-olds using firearms. As for the figures related to homicides committed with firearms by people over 65, these represented 31.8% of all homicides committed with firearms. Results: The aim of the present study was to conduct a critical review of the procedures currently used in relation to the use of firearms by elderly people. We conducted a review of the international scientific literature ]]></description>
		<guid>1073</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:41:22 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Pros e cons of micro health insurance to eradicate health problems in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) population: empirical evidence from India]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1072/pros-cons-micro-health-insurance-eradicate.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Health insurance for poor people in the form of micro health insurance has emerged as a pathway to break the vicious circle of poverty in developing countries. Economists and policy analysts oppose micro health insurance on the grounds of the inherited feature of moral hazards in the insurance sector. In this paper we have tried to evaluate Rashtriya Swasthaya Bima Yojana (RSBY), an innovative mass level micro heath insurance initiative of the Indian Government that attempts to eradicate the healthcare problems of poor people. The results of the study shows that RSBY has helped to improve health outcomes of the poor population but, at the same time, the behavior of poor families towards the utilization of health care has also changed (a symptom caused by the presence of moral hazards). However, this changing behavior in the poor is morally and socially good and represents a step towards ]]></description>
		<guid>1072</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:40:29 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Differentials in reproductive and child health status in India]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1071/differentials-reproductive-child-health-status.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Inequalities in reproductive and child health (RCH) exist, in general, in different regions of India. The present study aims to investigate the current status of RCH and examine the factors responsible for it in different parts of India. Methods: This study utilized data obtained from two Indian studies – (i) National Family Health Survey – 3 (NFHS- 2005-06) and (ii) District Level Household Survey (DLHS – 2002-04). Reproductive Health Index was computed on the basis of five variables such as total fertility rate, infant mortality rate, birth order, delivery care and female educational attainment. Results: In terms of reproductive and child health, a wide range of variation exists in India in its different regions. The study reveals that among Indian states, 13 states have an index value less than the national average. On the basis of the reproductive health index, the ]]></description>
		<guid>1071</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:39:46 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Technological changes and cancer registries: an opportunity?]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1070/technological-changes-cancer-registries.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Cancer registration has come a long way in the last 70 years. The basic function of a population based cancer registry is to record all new cases (of cancer) in a defined population (most frequently a geographical area) [1] and the core activity of a cancer registry is to generate statistics on the incidence of cancer, classified according to their site of origin and histology.]]></description>
		<guid>1070</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:38:59 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Bayesian analysis of esophageal cancer mortality in the presence of misclassification]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1069/bayesian-analysis-esophageal-cancer-mortality.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Mortality is a familiar projection that addresses the burden of cancers. With regards to cancer mortality, data are important and used to monitor the effects of screening programs, earlier diagnosis and other prognostic factors. But according to the Iranian death registry, about 20% of death statistics are still recorded in misclassified categories. The aim of this study is to estimate EC mortality in the Iranian population, using a Bayesian approach in order to revise this misclassification. Methods: We analyzed National death Statistics reported by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 1995 to 2004. ECs [ICD-9; C15] were expressed as annual mortality rates/100,000, overall, by sex, by age group and age standardized rate (ASR). The Bayesian approach was used to correct and account for mis]]></description>
		<guid>1069</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:38:12 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Assessing quality of life in children and adolescents: development and validation of the Italian version of the EQ-5D-Y]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1068/assessing-quality-life-children-adolescents.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Although assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in paediatric populations is gaining interest, it is not sufficiently assessed. While a number of specific paediatric instruments have been developed, some users appear to prefer generic tools such as the EQ-5D, which is a widely used and recommended tool to describe and value health across many different adult populations. We adapted the EQ-5D generic instrument into the EQ-5D-Y(youth) for the assessment of HRQoL in children and adolescents, and investigated the feasibility, acceptability, validity and reliability of this new version of the tool. Methods: The Italian version of the EQ-5D-Y was administered to 415 children and adolescents from a general population aged between 8 and 15, and to 25 paediatric patients diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). Results: The Italian version of the EQ-5D-Y was ]]></description>
		<guid>1068</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:37:03 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[The burden of multiple myeloma: assessment on occurrence, outcomes and cost using a retrospective longitudinal study based on administrative claims database]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1067/burden-multiple-myeloma-assessment-occurrence.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells that results in an overproduction of light and heavy chain monoclonal immunoglobulins. Multiple myeloma imposes a significant economic and humanistic burden on patients and society. The present study is aimed at assessing the burden of multiple myeloma in both epidemiologic and economic terms. Methods: A retrospective, naturalistic longitudinal study on the occurrence, outcome and cost of multiple myeloma using an administrative database, was performed. We selected residents of a North-eastern Region of Italy, who had their first hospital admission for multiple myeloma during the period 2001-2005. This group was followed up until 31-12-2006, death or transfers to other regional health services. Direct medical costs were quantified within the perspective of the Regional Health Service. Results: During the period 2001-2005, o]]></description>
		<guid>1067</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:35:35 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Epidemiology of malignant melanoma in the province of Palermo (2003-2005)]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1066/epidemiology-malignant-melanoma-province.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased worldwide and shows geographical variability according to latitude. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) cases in the Province of Palermo during the period 2003-2005. Methods: 231 incident cases of CMM, registered by the Cancer Registry of Palermo, were analysed. Anatomic localization, histological type, thickness, ulceration, margins, any lymph node involvement and metastases were evaluated. A statistical analysis of survival rates was performed. Results: Distribution by sex and stage of diagnosis showed a slight, but not significant, difference between females and males diagnosed both in early and late stage CMM. Age incidence rates were higher in women before the age of 40 and in men over the age of 50. No statistically significant difference in stage was observed between ]]></description>
		<guid>1066</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:34:35 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Investigation into the actual application of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for colon cancer]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1065/investigation-into-actual-application-diagnostic.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: In colon cancer, the effectiveness of the cure is largely dependent on the early detection of the pathology. It is therefore useful to investigate the quality prevention programs. As a result, the Italian Healthcare System is increasingly adopting Quality Assurance by implementing diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. In this study, a comparison was made between the current pathways undertaken by patients with colon cancer and the prescribed guidelines. The analysis investigates the diagnostic pathways that lead to the discovery of colon cancer, the service center where the pathway started and the therapy regimen administered to treat the cancer. Methods: The analysis covers all 205,000 patients who accessed one Italian Local Health Agency during the year 2007. In order to fund the costs of the services, the local regional council requested the collection of data from the Ag]]></description>
		<guid>1065</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:33:37 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Skin cancer prevention among healthcare professionals: results of a screening campaign in an Italian University Hospital in 2007-2008]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1064/skin-cancer-prevention-among-healthcare-professionals.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Skin cancers, especially melanoma, are steadily increasing in incidence, and primary and secondary prevention measures have been proven to be useful in reducing skin cancer mortality. Aim: to promote a screening campaign among healthcare professionals of an Italian University/Hospital in order to detect not only an earlier recognition of potentially dangerous skin lesions, but also to verify if secondary prevention is useful, well-accepted and easy to perform among potentially more alerted people working in a healthcare background. Methods: The screening campaign was advertised through the Intranet of the Hospital. The screening took place once a week and a mean of 5-6 patients/week were examined. Every patient underwent a full-body skin examination integrated by handheld dermoscope at the Outpatient Clinic, Section of Dermatology, University/ Hospital of San Martino. In the ]]></description>
		<guid>1064</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:32:45 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Epidemiology: the foundation of cancer prevention, diagnostics and therapeutics]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1063/epidemiology-foundation-cancer-prevention.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Epidemiology: the foundation of cancer prevention, diagnostics and therapeutics]]></description>
		<guid>1063</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:31:24 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Epidemiology: the foundation of cancer prevention, diagnostics and therapeutics]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1062/epidemiology-foundation-cancer-prevention.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[According to WHO, cancer represents a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.6 million deaths (around 13% of all deaths) in 2008. About 30% of cancer deaths are due to the following behavioral and dietary risks: high body mass index (BMI), low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use.]]></description>
		<guid>1062</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:30:19 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Prevalence and determinants of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among sexually active women in Turin, Italy]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1059/prevalence-determinants-chlamydia-trachomatis.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: According to the World Health Organisation, Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial agent worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for genital infection with Ct among sexually active women (14-60 years of age), in Turin (northern Italy). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between January 2002 and December 2007 among sexually active women in Turin. All women were tested for Ct infection using the Amplified Ct Assay (Gen-Probe) on an endocervical specimen. The prevalence was calculated as the proportion of Ct-positive women out of the total study population. Associations between Ct infection and risk factors (socio-demographic, behavioural, and clinical-gynaecological) were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Risk factors independently asso]]></description>
		<guid>1059</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:11:07 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[How to simplify and improve incident and near miss reporting in wards: I.R.G.E. (Incident Reporting with Gravity Effect) system]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1058/simplify-improve-incident-near-miss-reporting.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[In this paper, an improved system that allows a simplified reporting of errors and near misses in wards, and permits operators to accurately manage all data recorded, is presented. IRGE (Incident Reporting with Gravity Effect) System is based on the use of a paper form for reporting accidents and near misses. The severity of an error can be evidenced through the choice of a color similar to the well-known method used in the emergency medicine triage, thus leading to the most evident and immediate understanding of the magnitude of error. In addition, the system is provided with a report form for its users to be compiled with the highest completeness of information.
A dedicated software for the storage of records and data analysis has been created, which gives one the possibility of alerting key figures within the health facility promptly. The system allows us to store and share records a]]></description>
		<guid>1058</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:10:08 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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		<title><![CDATA[Athleticogenomics and elite athletes: a review of the state of the art and a possible relationship with inflammatory response]]></title><link>http://www.ijph.it/journal/item/1057/athleticogenomics-elite-athletes-review.html</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Background: Recent research in athleticogenomics has begun to reveal how particular genetic polymorphisms may influence athletic status and confer an individual predisposition for better sports performances. This is of particular interest for elite athletes because it could help to assess an athlete’s potential, to enhance specific training protocols for selected performances, to monitor the individual response to training load and recovery and, finally, aid in the prevention of accidents. Methods: Using a topics search in the PubMed database, the search strategy included studies examining the relationship between the presence of polymorphisms in genes influencing selected physiological parameters and the elite athletic status. English written case (elite athletes) -control (general population) studies were selected. Results: 26 research articles concerning polymorphic genes involved i]]></description>
		<guid>1057</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:09:29 +0000</pubDate><category>generic</category>
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