This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
The occurrence of Legionella spp. in the water distribution systems of large hospitals and other healthcare facilities is considered particularly dangerous, due to the critical nature of the hospitalized patients. The aim of this study is to present a pluri-annual environmental surveillance in a large university hospital assessing the prevalence of Legionella spp. and underlining its variability over the years. The samples of water were collected in accordance with the Italian National Guidelines and the sampling sites considered in this study were selected favoring wards with very high-risk patients and with patients at increased risk. The laboratory analyzed a total of 305 water samples deriving from 24 different sampling points. Legionella spp. were detected in 39.4% of samples, the majority of which were contaminated by Legionella pneumophila serogroups 2–14 (68.7%). Statistically significant differences were found among different seasons with a linear trend in positive proportion from summer to spring. Several experimental interventions to prevent and reduce Legionella colonization were attempted, but there is no a definitive method for the complete eradication of this microorganism. The permanent monitoring of hospital water distribution systems is fundamental to preventing the potential risk of nosocomial Legionellosis and to implementing procedures to minimize the risk of Legionella spp. colonization.
Giovanna Deiana; Antonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Maria Dolores Masia; Maria Grazia Deriu; Andrea Piana; Maria Rosaria Muroni; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. Environmental Surveillance of Legionella spp. in an Italian University Hospital Results of 10 Years of Analysis. Water 2021, 13, 2304 .
AMA StyleGiovanna Deiana, Antonella Arghittu, Marco Dettori, Maria Dolores Masia, Maria Grazia Deriu, Andrea Piana, Maria Rosaria Muroni, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara. Environmental Surveillance of Legionella spp. in an Italian University Hospital Results of 10 Years of Analysis. Water. 2021; 13 (16):2304.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Deiana; Antonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Maria Dolores Masia; Maria Grazia Deriu; Andrea Piana; Maria Rosaria Muroni; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. 2021. "Environmental Surveillance of Legionella spp. in an Italian University Hospital Results of 10 Years of Analysis." Water 13, no. 16: 2304.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the preparedness of retirement and nursing homes in the city of Sassari at the end of the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 epidemic, first by investigating the risk perception of epidemic outbreaks by the facility managers and subsequently by carrying out a field assessment of these facilities. To perform the field assessment, a checklist developed by the CDC (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19) and adapted to the Italian context was used. Fourteen facilities took part in the survey (87.5%). The application of good practices for each survey area was expressed as a percentage with the following median values: restriction policies (87.5%), staff training (53.8%), resident training (67.6%), availability of personal protective equipment (41.7%), infection control practices (73.5%) and communication (80%). Among the facilities, considerable variability was observed in these evaluation fields: only the restriction policies and communication activities were applied uniformly. A discrepancy was found between perceived risk and real danger in the facilities, requiring targeted communication actions. At present, it is necessary to promote a new approach based on the prediction of critical events, thereby providing the means to effectively address them.
Carmelo Gugliotta; Davide Gentili; Silvia Marras; Marco Dettori; Pietro Muglia; Maria Desole; Marcello Acciaro; Sabina Bellu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. SARS-CoV-2 Epidemics in Retirement and Nursing Homes in Italy: A New Preparedness Assessment Model after the First Epidemic Wave. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5712 .
AMA StyleCarmelo Gugliotta, Davide Gentili, Silvia Marras, Marco Dettori, Pietro Muglia, Maria Desole, Marcello Acciaro, Sabina Bellu, Antonio Azara, Paolo Castiglia. SARS-CoV-2 Epidemics in Retirement and Nursing Homes in Italy: A New Preparedness Assessment Model after the First Epidemic Wave. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):5712.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmelo Gugliotta; Davide Gentili; Silvia Marras; Marco Dettori; Pietro Muglia; Maria Desole; Marcello Acciaro; Sabina Bellu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Epidemics in Retirement and Nursing Homes in Italy: A New Preparedness Assessment Model after the First Epidemic Wave." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 5712.
In 2013, in a bid to combat Vaccine Hesitancy (VH) and provide information on vaccines by communicating with the general public and the health community (e.g., healthcare workers and public health operators), the Italian Society of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (S.It.I.) published the national website “VaccinarSì”. The project was subsequently extended to ten Italian Regions. This led to the creation of the VaccinarSì Network, whose websites are publicly owned. The aim of this work was to present the framework of the websites of the VaccinarSì Network and to analyse user behaviour in the pre-COVID-19-era (dating from each website’s publication until 31 January 2020) and in the COVID-19-era (from 1 February 2020 to 31 January 2021). Some metrics such as the number of visits to the site (sessions, number of users and average session duration), user behaviour (pages viewed, bounce rate and organic search) and the session acquisition path (direct traffic, referrals and social traffic) were searched, extrapolated and processed with Google Analytics. Qualitative and normally distributed quantitative variables were summarised with their absolute (relative) frequencies and means. Statistical differences between the means of the two periods were evaluated through paired t-test. A two-tailed p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. When the total values recorded over the period were compared, an overall increase in metrics was observed—the number of individual users, visits and individual pageviews rose in a statistically significant way. Our study aimed to highlight how combining disciplines such as health education and digital communication via Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) represents the best strategy to support citizens. This approach gives them the tools to become independent and responsible players that are capable of voluntarily and consciously choosing to adhere to vaccination programs. The VaccinarSì Network’s goal for the future is to reach an even wider audience. By building each user’s critical knowledge, this network enables users to be active components of a wider, more empowered community.
Antonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Emma Dempsey; Giovanna Deiana; Claudio Angelini; Angela Bechini; Caterina Bertoni; Sara Boccalini; Paolo Bonanni; Sandro Cinquetti; Fabrizio Chiesi; Maria Chironna; Claudio Costantino; Antonio Ferro; Daniel Fiacchini; Giancarlo Icardi; Andrea Poscia; Francesca Russo; Andrea Siddu; Antonietta Spadea; Laura Sticchi; Maria Triassi; Francesco Vitale; Paolo Castiglia. Health Communication in COVID-19 Era: Experiences from the Italian VaccinarSì Network Websites. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5642 .
AMA StyleAntonella Arghittu, Marco Dettori, Emma Dempsey, Giovanna Deiana, Claudio Angelini, Angela Bechini, Caterina Bertoni, Sara Boccalini, Paolo Bonanni, Sandro Cinquetti, Fabrizio Chiesi, Maria Chironna, Claudio Costantino, Antonio Ferro, Daniel Fiacchini, Giancarlo Icardi, Andrea Poscia, Francesca Russo, Andrea Siddu, Antonietta Spadea, Laura Sticchi, Maria Triassi, Francesco Vitale, Paolo Castiglia. Health Communication in COVID-19 Era: Experiences from the Italian VaccinarSì Network Websites. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):5642.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Emma Dempsey; Giovanna Deiana; Claudio Angelini; Angela Bechini; Caterina Bertoni; Sara Boccalini; Paolo Bonanni; Sandro Cinquetti; Fabrizio Chiesi; Maria Chironna; Claudio Costantino; Antonio Ferro; Daniel Fiacchini; Giancarlo Icardi; Andrea Poscia; Francesca Russo; Andrea Siddu; Antonietta Spadea; Laura Sticchi; Maria Triassi; Francesco Vitale; Paolo Castiglia. 2021. "Health Communication in COVID-19 Era: Experiences from the Italian VaccinarSì Network Websites." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 5642.
Background: The aim of this preliminary study was to measure radon concentrations in a hospital in order to verify to what extent these concentrations depend on various environmental variables taken into consideration, and consequently to determine the urgency to implement mitigation actions. Methods: The rooms where the concentration of the gas was potentially highest were monitored. Investigators adopted a Continuous Radon Monitor testing device. Qualitative and normally distributed quantitative variables were summarised with absolute (relative) frequencies and means (standard deviations, SD), respectively. As regards environmental variables, the difference in radon concentrations was determined using the rank-based nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis H test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: All measurements, excluding the radiotherapy bunkers that showed high values due to irradiation of radiotherapy instruments, showed low radon levels, although there is currently no known safe level of radon exposure. In addition, high variability in radon concentration was found linked to various environmental and behavioural characteristics. Conclusions: The results on the variability of radon levels in hospital buildings highlighted the key role of monitoring activities on indoor air quality and, consequently, on the occupants’ health.
Giovanna Deiana; Marco Dettori; Maria Masia; Antonio Spano; Andrea Piana; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. Monitoring Radon Levels in Hospital Environments. Findings of a Preliminary Study in the University Hospital of Sassari, Italy. Environments 2021, 8, 28 .
AMA StyleGiovanna Deiana, Marco Dettori, Maria Masia, Antonio Spano, Andrea Piana, Antonella Arghittu, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara. Monitoring Radon Levels in Hospital Environments. Findings of a Preliminary Study in the University Hospital of Sassari, Italy. Environments. 2021; 8 (4):28.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Deiana; Marco Dettori; Maria Masia; Antonio Spano; Andrea Piana; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. 2021. "Monitoring Radon Levels in Hospital Environments. Findings of a Preliminary Study in the University Hospital of Sassari, Italy." Environments 8, no. 4: 28.
Achieving sterilization by adopting proper practices is essential to ensure that surgical instruments do not transmit microorganisms to patients. As the effectiveness of sterilization mandates effective cleaning, it is necessary to verify the success of cleaning procedures. In this study, we used the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence method for assessing the efficacy of the manual cleaning procedure during the reprocessing of reusable surgical instruments. The ATP bioluminescence assay was performed on 140 surgical instruments of 12 different types, both before being cleaned (baseline) and after each of the cleaning procedures (i.e., decontamination, manual washing, drying, and visual inspection). For each instrument, two swabs were used as follows: one to sample the entire surface (test point 1) and the other to sample the most difficult part of the surface to clean (test point 2). Overall, for each type of instrument, there was a decrease in contamination ranging from 99.6 to >99.9% (log reduction from 2.40 to 3.76). Thus, in order to standardize the assessment of cleanliness, it may be useful to introduce the bioluminescence method into the daily routine or, at least, at regular time intervals as a complementary check combined with visual inspection. This would allow real-time verification of the achievement of an adequate level of cleanliness.
Maria Masia; Marco Dettori; Grazia Deriu; Sabina Bellu; Lisa Arcadu; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Alessandra Palmieri; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia. ATP Bioluminescence for Assessing the Efficacy of the Manual Cleaning Procedure during the Reprocessing of Reusable Surgical Instruments. Healthcare 2021, 9, 352 .
AMA StyleMaria Masia, Marco Dettori, Grazia Deriu, Sabina Bellu, Lisa Arcadu, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Alessandra Palmieri, Antonella Arghittu, Paolo Castiglia. ATP Bioluminescence for Assessing the Efficacy of the Manual Cleaning Procedure during the Reprocessing of Reusable Surgical Instruments. Healthcare. 2021; 9 (3):352.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Masia; Marco Dettori; Grazia Deriu; Sabina Bellu; Lisa Arcadu; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Alessandra Palmieri; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia. 2021. "ATP Bioluminescence for Assessing the Efficacy of the Manual Cleaning Procedure during the Reprocessing of Reusable Surgical Instruments." Healthcare 9, no. 3: 352.
Environmental microbial contamination in the operating room (OR) can favour contamination of the surgical wound, posing the risk of infection of the surgical site. Thus, environmental monitoring is a useful tool for assessing environmental health and the effectiveness and efficiency of the measures adopted to control the risk of infection in the OR. This work aimed to analyse the long term environmental quality of 18 ORs throughout Sardinia, Italy, through the quantitative and qualitative characterisation of the microbial flora present in the air and on surfaces, in order to evaluate the trend over time, including in relation to any control measures adopted. The results of the sampling carried out in the period from January 2010 to December 2019 have been extrapolated from the archive-database of the Laboratory of the Hygiene and Control of Hospital Infections Unit of the University Hospital in Sassari. During the period in question, 188 air evaluations were carried out, both in empty rooms and during surgery, and 872 surface samples were taken. When the air was monitored, it emerged that significant contamination was detectable in a reduced number of examinations and a limited number of rooms. Microbial load values higher than the reference values may have been mainly determined by sub-optimal operation/maintenance of the air conditioning system. Surface testing showed a good level of sanitisation, given the low percentage of non-compliant values detected. The possibility of having data available on environmental quality is a useful educational and training tool both for those responsible for sanitisation procedures and the surgical team, in order to increase awareness of the effects of a lack of compliance with behavioural standards.
Maria Masia; Marco Dettori; Grazia Deriu; Serena Soddu; Michela Deriu; Antonella Arghittu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. Microbial Monitoring as a Tool for Preventing Infectious Risk in the Operating Room: Results of 10 Years of Activity. Atmosphere 2020, 12, 19 .
AMA StyleMaria Masia, Marco Dettori, Grazia Deriu, Serena Soddu, Michela Deriu, Antonella Arghittu, Antonio Azara, Paolo Castiglia. Microbial Monitoring as a Tool for Preventing Infectious Risk in the Operating Room: Results of 10 Years of Activity. Atmosphere. 2020; 12 (1):19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Masia; Marco Dettori; Grazia Deriu; Serena Soddu; Michela Deriu; Antonella Arghittu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. 2020. "Microbial Monitoring as a Tool for Preventing Infectious Risk in the Operating Room: Results of 10 Years of Activity." Atmosphere 12, no. 1: 19.
The present work aims to study the role of air pollutants in relation to the number of deaths per each Italian province affected by COVID-19. To do that, specific mortality from COVID-19 has been standardized for each Italian province and per age group (10 groups) ranging from 0 to 9 years to >90 years, based on the 2019 national population figures. The link between air pollutants and COVID-19 mortality among Italian provinces was studied implementing a linear regression model, whereas the wide set of variables were examined by means of LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation), relating the spatial component of COVID-19 related data with a mix of environmental variables as explanatory variables. As results, in some provinces, namely the Western Po Valley provinces, the SMR (Standardized Mortality Ratio) is much higher than expected, and the presence of PM10 was independently associated with the case status. Furthermore, the results for LISA on SMR and PM10 demonstrate clusters of high-high values in the wide Metropolitan area of Milan and the Po Valley area respectively, with a certain level of overlap of the two distributions in the area strictly considered Milan. In conclusion, this research appears to find elements to confirm the existence of a link between pollution and the risk of death due to the disease, in particular, considering land take and air pollution, this latter referred to particulate (PM10). For this reason, we can reiterate the need to act in favour of policies aimed at reducing pollutants in the atmosphere, by means of speeding up the already existing plans and policies, targeting all sources of atmospheric pollution: industries, home heating and traffic.
Marco Dettori; Giovanna Deiana; Ginevra Balletto; Giuseppe Borruso; Beniamino Murgante; Antonella Arghittu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. Air pollutants and risk of death due to COVID-19 in Italy. Environmental Research 2020, 192, 110459 .
AMA StyleMarco Dettori, Giovanna Deiana, Ginevra Balletto, Giuseppe Borruso, Beniamino Murgante, Antonella Arghittu, Antonio Azara, Paolo Castiglia. Air pollutants and risk of death due to COVID-19 in Italy. Environmental Research. 2020; 192 ():110459.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Dettori; Giovanna Deiana; Ginevra Balletto; Giuseppe Borruso; Beniamino Murgante; Antonella Arghittu; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia. 2020. "Air pollutants and risk of death due to COVID-19 in Italy." Environmental Research 192, no. : 110459.
The present work is a cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the risk perception and evaluating the community outrage linked to environmental factors among a self-selected sample of citizens living in an area characterized by the presence of industrial structures of high emotional impact. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to the population by publishing a Google form URL code in local and regional newspapers and via social media. The resulting data were entered on Excel and analyzed. Qualitative variables were summarized with absolute and relative (percentage) frequencies. The results showed that the event that causes the greatest worry was air pollution, with 92.6% of the respondents stating that they perceived the problem as “very” or “quite” worrying. Furthermore, all the health problems investigated in relation to environmental quality aroused concern among the interviewees, with 93.1% believing there was a cause-effect relationship between environmental quality and health. Overall, as other studies had previously underlined, the survey shows that the perceived risks are not always in line with the real ones, Thus, it is imperative to articulate interventions aimed at offering the population objective tools to enable them to interpret the risks themselves. In this regard, a fundamental role is played by adequate communication between the competent bodies and political decision-makers and the population.The present work is a cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the risk perception and evaluating the community outrage linked to environmental factors among a self-selected sample of citizens living in an area characterized by the presence of industrial structures of high emotional impact. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to the population by publishing a Google form URL code in local and regional newspapers and via social media. The resulting data were entered on Excel and analyzed. Qualitative variables were summarized with absolute and relative (percentage) frequencies. The results showed that the event that causes the greatest worry was air pollution, with 92.6% of the respondents stating that they perceived the problem as “very” or “quite” worrying. Furthermore, all the health problems investigated in relation to environmental quality aroused concern among the interviewees, with 93.1% believing there was a cause-effect relationship between environmental quality and health. Overall, as other studies had previously underlined, the survey shows that the perceived risks are not always in line with the real ones, Thus, it is imperative to articulate interventions aimed at offering the population objective tools to enable them to interpret the risks themselves. In this regard, a fundamental role is played by adequate communication between the competent bodies and political decision-makers and the population.
Marco Dettori; Paola Pittaluga; Giulia Busonera; Carmelo Gugliotta; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia. Environmental Risks Perception Among Citizens Living Near Industrial Plants: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 4870 .
AMA StyleMarco Dettori, Paola Pittaluga, Giulia Busonera, Carmelo Gugliotta, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Antonella Arghittu, Paolo Castiglia. Environmental Risks Perception Among Citizens Living Near Industrial Plants: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (13):4870.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Dettori; Paola Pittaluga; Giulia Busonera; Carmelo Gugliotta; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Antonella Arghittu; Paolo Castiglia. 2020. "Environmental Risks Perception Among Citizens Living Near Industrial Plants: A Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 13: 4870.
COVID-19 hit Italy in February 2020 after its outbreak in China at the beginning of January. Why was Italy first among the Western countries? What are the conditions that made Italy more vulnerable and the first target of this disease? What characteristics and diffusion patterns could be highlighted and hypothesized from its outbreak to the end of March 2020, after containment measures, including a national lockdown, were introduced? In this paper, we try to provide some answers to these questions, analyzing the issue from medical, geographical and planning points of view. With reference to the Italian case, we observed the phenomenon in terms of the spatial diffusion process and by observing the relation between the epidemic and various environmental elements. In particular, we started from a hypothesis of the comparable economic, geographical, climatic and environmental conditions of the areas of Wuhan (in the Hubei Province in China, where the epidemic broke out) and the Po Valley area (in Italy) where most cases and deaths were registered. Via an ecological approach, we compared the spatial distribution and pattern of COVID-19-related mortality in Italy with several geographical, environmental and socio-economic variables at a Provincial level, analyzing them by means of spatial analytical techniques such as LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Association). Possible evidence arose relating to COVID-19 cases and Nitrogen-related pollutants and land take, particularly in the Po Valley area.
Beniamino Murgante; Giuseppe Borruso; Ginevra Balletto; Paolo Castiglia; Marco Dettori. Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning Aspects of the COVID-19 Outbreak. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5064 .
AMA StyleBeniamino Murgante, Giuseppe Borruso, Ginevra Balletto, Paolo Castiglia, Marco Dettori. Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning Aspects of the COVID-19 Outbreak. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):5064.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeniamino Murgante; Giuseppe Borruso; Ginevra Balletto; Paolo Castiglia; Marco Dettori. 2020. "Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning Aspects of the COVID-19 Outbreak." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 5064.
This study aims to underline the clinical characteristics of patients who died after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection in one region of Italian and to evaluate the influence of underlying health conditions on the fatal outcome. A matched case-control study was designed by analyzing the data regarding positive subjects observed up to April 21, 2020. The case fatality rate was 7.9%, with a higher proportion of deaths in men than women. The specific standardized mortality ratio was 0.15—0.13 for males and 0.2 for females, showing that mortality is much lower than expected. Cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes mellitus showed a significant association with the outcome. Although the case fatality rate in Sardinia in regard to age and gender patterns seems to be similar to that for Italy as a whole, its quantitative value was far lower than the national one and possible explanations might include the genetic characteristics of the Sardinian population or the immediate closure of its borders as soon as the epidemic started. Our results highlighted that lethality is strongly dependent on the presence of multiple concomitant serious diseases. It is important to have epidemiological strategies for effective guidance on public health actions in order to improve chances of survival.
Giovanna Deiana; Antonio Azara; Marco Dettori; Fiorenzo Delogu; Gavino Vargiu; Isabella Gessa; Filippo Stroscio; Marcello Tidore; Giorgio Steri; Paolo Castiglia. Deaths in SARS-Cov-2 Positive Patients in Italy: The Influence of Underlying Health Conditions on Lethality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 4450 .
AMA StyleGiovanna Deiana, Antonio Azara, Marco Dettori, Fiorenzo Delogu, Gavino Vargiu, Isabella Gessa, Filippo Stroscio, Marcello Tidore, Giorgio Steri, Paolo Castiglia. Deaths in SARS-Cov-2 Positive Patients in Italy: The Influence of Underlying Health Conditions on Lethality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (12):4450.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Deiana; Antonio Azara; Marco Dettori; Fiorenzo Delogu; Gavino Vargiu; Isabella Gessa; Filippo Stroscio; Marcello Tidore; Giorgio Steri; Paolo Castiglia. 2020. "Deaths in SARS-Cov-2 Positive Patients in Italy: The Influence of Underlying Health Conditions on Lethality." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 12: 4450.
The Covid-19 has hit Italy in February 2020 after its outbreak in China at the beginning of January. But why Italy first among Western countries? What are the conditions that made Italy more vulnerable and the first target of such disease? What characteristics and what diffusion patterns could be highlighted and hypothesized, from the outbreak to the end of March 2020, after containment measures - including a national lock down – were introduced? In this paper we try to provide some answers to these questions, analyzing the issue from the medical, geographical and planning points of view. In particular, we started from a hypothesis of very similar economic, geographical, climatic and environmental conditions of the areas of Wuhan – in Hubei Province in China, the outbreak of the epidemics – and the Po Valley area – in Italy – where most cases and deaths were registered. Adopting an ecological approach, we compared the spatial distribution and pattern of Covid-19-related mortality in Italy with several geographical, environmental and socio-economic variables at Provincial level, analyzing them by means of spatial analytical techniques as LISA – Local Indicators of Spatial Association. Possible evidence relating Covid-19 cases and Nitrogen-related pollutants and land take arise, particularly in the Po Valley area.
Beniamino Murgante; Giuseppe Borruso; Ginevra Balletto; Paolo Castiglia; Marco Dettori. Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleBeniamino Murgante, Giuseppe Borruso, Ginevra Balletto, Paolo Castiglia, Marco Dettori. Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeniamino Murgante; Giuseppe Borruso; Ginevra Balletto; Paolo Castiglia; Marco Dettori. 2020. "Why Italy First? Health, Geographical and Planning aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak." , no. : 1.
The aim of this work is to evaluate the attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge of health workers employed at an Italian University Hospital on the topic of vaccinations and in regard to flu vaccination. To this end, the study provided for the articulation of a computerised questionnaire on the digital platform EUSurvey which was administered online via e-mail to a sample of 457 health workers, in the period between November 2018 and March 2019. The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In particular, a logistic regression analysis was carried out in order to evaluate the relationship between the variables collected and the dichotomous outcome (vaccinated/unvaccinated subjects in the 2018–2019 season). The results, in line with what has been reported by the literature, highlighted that vaccine hesitancy is prevalent also among health workers. Furthermore, according to our study, only 30.6% of the health care workers had the flu vaccination. The survey points out the need to plan educational and informative interventions aimed at changing the attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge of health workers in the field of flu vaccination, for the purpose of protecting the health of healthcare personnel and their patients.
Antonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Antonio Azara; Davide Gentili; Antonello Serra; Bruno Contu; Paolo Castiglia. Flu Vaccination Attitudes, Behaviours, and Knowledge among Health Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 3185 .
AMA StyleAntonella Arghittu, Marco Dettori, Antonio Azara, Davide Gentili, Antonello Serra, Bruno Contu, Paolo Castiglia. Flu Vaccination Attitudes, Behaviours, and Knowledge among Health Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (9):3185.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Antonio Azara; Davide Gentili; Antonello Serra; Bruno Contu; Paolo Castiglia. 2020. "Flu Vaccination Attitudes, Behaviours, and Knowledge among Health Workers." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 9: 3185.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the microbial air contamination values obtained by active sampling (colony-forming units per cubic metre, CFU/m3) and by passive sampling (Index of microbial air contamination, IMA) and to calculate the corresponding equations. Air sampling was performed in ten dental clinics (DC), before (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) the clinical activity, for five consecutive days, once a month for a period of three months, for a total of 450 air samplings. The correlation was evaluated using the Spearman test, and a p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A statistically significant correlation was found considering both the results obtained from the total observations and from the single sampling times, T0, T1 and T2. Different correlation patterns were observed stratifying by DC. Both methods were able to evaluate the microbial air quality and highlight critical situations; therefore, both can be used with this aim. However, in particular during the activity, passive sampling resulted more sensitive, and for its simplicity, economy and standardization by IMA, as suggested by several authors, can be suggested for routine monitoring.
Licia Veronesi; Maria Eugenia Colucci; Christian Napoli; Paolo Castiglia; Giorgio Liguori; Ida Torre; Elena Righi; Patrizia Farruggia; Marina Tesauro; Maria Teresa Montagna; Francesca Gallè; Maria Dolores Masia; Valeria Di Onofrio; Giuseppina Caggiano; Carola Tinteri; Manuela Panico; Francesca Pennino; Lucia Cannova; Cesira Pasquarella. Air microbial contamination in dental clinics: comparison between active and passive methods. 2020, 91, 165 -167.
AMA StyleLicia Veronesi, Maria Eugenia Colucci, Christian Napoli, Paolo Castiglia, Giorgio Liguori, Ida Torre, Elena Righi, Patrizia Farruggia, Marina Tesauro, Maria Teresa Montagna, Francesca Gallè, Maria Dolores Masia, Valeria Di Onofrio, Giuseppina Caggiano, Carola Tinteri, Manuela Panico, Francesca Pennino, Lucia Cannova, Cesira Pasquarella. Air microbial contamination in dental clinics: comparison between active and passive methods. . 2020; 91 (3-S):165-167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLicia Veronesi; Maria Eugenia Colucci; Christian Napoli; Paolo Castiglia; Giorgio Liguori; Ida Torre; Elena Righi; Patrizia Farruggia; Marina Tesauro; Maria Teresa Montagna; Francesca Gallè; Maria Dolores Masia; Valeria Di Onofrio; Giuseppina Caggiano; Carola Tinteri; Manuela Panico; Francesca Pennino; Lucia Cannova; Cesira Pasquarella. 2020. "Air microbial contamination in dental clinics: comparison between active and passive methods." 91, no. 3-S: 165-167.
High levels of disinfection by-products (DBPs) are constantly found in drinking water distributed in Sardinia, an Italian island with a tourist vocation and critical issues related to the drinking water supply. To reduce the concentration of trihalomethanes the disinfectant in use was changed – chlorine dioxide was adopted instead of hypochlorite. However, this caused the appearance of other DBPs (e.g., chlorites) in water distributed to the population. Thus, the use of monochloramine as a secondary disinfectant (associated with chlorine dioxide as the primary disinfectant) was evaluated in four drinking water treatment plants supplied by artificial basins located in the central-northern part of Sardinia. Raw, disinfected and distributed waters were studied for genotoxicity using a battery of in vitro tests on different cells (bacteria, plant and mammalian cells) to detect different genetic endpoints (i.e., point and chromosome mutations and DNA damage). Moreover, a chemical and microbiological characterisation of water samples was performed. All samples of water distributed to the people showed mutagenic or genotoxic effects in different cells/organisms. In particular, chromosome aberrations in plant cells and DNA damage in human cells were observed. In this study, the use of chloramines associated with other disinfectants did not eliminate the mutagenicity present in the raw water and when the raw water was not mutagenic it introduced mutagenic/genotoxic substances. A careful management of drinking water is needed to reduce health hazards associated with the mutagenicity of drinking water.
Donatella Feretti; Mattia Acito; Marco Dettori; Elisabetta Ceretti; Cristina Fatigoni; Stefano Posadino; Ilaria Zerbini; Milena Villarini; Massimo Moretti; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. Genotoxicity of source, treated and distributed water from four drinking water treatment plants supplied by surface water in Sardinia, Italy. Environmental Research 2020, 185, 109385 .
AMA StyleDonatella Feretti, Mattia Acito, Marco Dettori, Elisabetta Ceretti, Cristina Fatigoni, Stefano Posadino, Ilaria Zerbini, Milena Villarini, Massimo Moretti, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara. Genotoxicity of source, treated and distributed water from four drinking water treatment plants supplied by surface water in Sardinia, Italy. Environmental Research. 2020; 185 ():109385.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDonatella Feretti; Mattia Acito; Marco Dettori; Elisabetta Ceretti; Cristina Fatigoni; Stefano Posadino; Ilaria Zerbini; Milena Villarini; Massimo Moretti; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara. 2020. "Genotoxicity of source, treated and distributed water from four drinking water treatment plants supplied by surface water in Sardinia, Italy." Environmental Research 185, no. : 109385.
Recent studies in public health have focused on determining the influences of the built environment on the population’s physical and mental health status. In order to promote active transport and physical activity, considered favorable behavior for the prevention non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, it is necessary to reduce the negative effects of the built environment and develop positive ones, such as, for example, a walkable urban space. The aim of the research is to define a city’s walkability assessment framework capable of highlighting points of strength and weakness in its urban environment. All of the aspects that have a direct influence (evidence-based) on fostering the adoption of healthy lifestyles or promoting active transport as a strategy to increase the level of physical activity due to the existence of daily urban travel should be considered. After conducting a literature review aimed at identifying all of the existing assessment tools, 20 research studies were examined in detail. The new evaluation method arises from the comparison and critical selection of the various qualitative–quantitative indicators found, integrated into a multi-criteria analysis structure of dual-scale survey, with reference to walkability and paying attention to those indicators that have implications on health promotion. The new assessment framework, named Milano Walkability Measurement (MWM), is applicable in different urban contexts and was tested in two different areas of Milan. The Macro dimension (i.e., Density, Diversity, and Design criteria) refers to the urban scale and examines the city from a top view. It describes quantitatively the overall urban factors (urban area size equal to 1.5 Km2; typology of data: archival). The Micro dimension (i.e., Usefulness, Safeness, Comfort, and Aesthetics criteria) investigates the city at the street scale level. It describes qualitatively features of the outdoor spaces (road length of about 500/700 mt; typology of data: observational). Finally, the framework was weighted by comparison with a panel of experts. The expected results were reflected in the design recommendations based on the collected qualitative-quantitative data. The developed assessment method brings innovative criteria such as the multi-scaling assessment phase (Macro and Micro) and the ability to take into consideration aspects that according to the literature have relationships with health promotion linked to the improvement of a healthy lifestyle, related to daily active transportation choices. The design recommendations are useful both to policy-makers, to make evidence-based specific choices, and to designers, to understand what aspects of the urban environment must be improved or implemented in order to promote a walkable city.
Andrea Rebecchi; Maddalena Buffoli; Marco Dettori; Letizia Appolloni; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia; Daniela D’Alessandro; Stefano Capolongo. Walkable Environments and Healthy Urban Moves: Urban Context Features Assessment Framework Experienced in Milan. Sustainability 2019, 11, 2778 .
AMA StyleAndrea Rebecchi, Maddalena Buffoli, Marco Dettori, Letizia Appolloni, Antonio Azara, Paolo Castiglia, Daniela D’Alessandro, Stefano Capolongo. Walkable Environments and Healthy Urban Moves: Urban Context Features Assessment Framework Experienced in Milan. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (10):2778.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Rebecchi; Maddalena Buffoli; Marco Dettori; Letizia Appolloni; Antonio Azara; Paolo Castiglia; Daniela D’Alessandro; Stefano Capolongo. 2019. "Walkable Environments and Healthy Urban Moves: Urban Context Features Assessment Framework Experienced in Milan." Sustainability 11, no. 10: 2778.
The aim of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the risk communication strategies in cases of unsafe drinking water supply in Sardinia, the Italian context with the highest population distrust in drinking water safety. During the period 2010⁻2015, the ordinances published on the institutional websites were analyzed, and the population risk perception was evaluated by applying, for the first time in public health threats, the "OUTRAGE Prediction & Management" software released by Sandman. Overall, 417 ordinances issued by the Sardinian Municipalities were found. Only 1.5% of the ordinances reported information about parameters, concentrations, and risks to health, whereas 4.8% indicated only the parameters and non-standard levels. By contrast, 53.2% specified only the non-standard parameter, and 40.5% indicated a generic non-drinking motivation. The outrage assessment showed values exceeding the threshold of risk acceptance, attributable to the lack and low clarity of the information reported by the ordinances. The present study allowed us to highlight critical issues in risk communication of the quality of drinking water.
Marco Dettori; Antonio Azara; Erika Loria; Andrea Piana; Maria Dolores Masia; Alessandra Palmieri; Andrea Cossu; Paolo Castiglia. Population Distrust of Drinking Water Safety. Community Outrage Analysis, Prediction and Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 1004 .
AMA StyleMarco Dettori, Antonio Azara, Erika Loria, Andrea Piana, Maria Dolores Masia, Alessandra Palmieri, Andrea Cossu, Paolo Castiglia. Population Distrust of Drinking Water Safety. Community Outrage Analysis, Prediction and Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (6):1004.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Dettori; Antonio Azara; Erika Loria; Andrea Piana; Maria Dolores Masia; Alessandra Palmieri; Andrea Cossu; Paolo Castiglia. 2019. "Population Distrust of Drinking Water Safety. Community Outrage Analysis, Prediction and Management." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 6: 1004.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly population (over 65 years old) in Sardinia. This relationship was first observed in a regional context. An already-known deprivation index was used, and its trivial relationship with anti-influenza vaccination coverage was evaluated. Secondly, the same relationship was assessed in the homogeneous area of the Municipality of Sassari. This required the adoption of an ad hoc deprivation index, which allowed us to stratify the population into deprivation groups and to correlate vaccination coverage with socio-economic variables. The results showed that regional anti-influenza vaccination coverage increased linearly as deprivation decreased. This trend was confirmed in the Municipality of Sassari. Pearson's analysis highlighted factors that significantly correlate with vaccination coverage. In Sardinia, the relationship between anti-influenza vaccination coverage and socio-economic status is consistent with the international panorama, and highlights the necessity to implement interventions to promote vaccination coverage among the elderly.
A. Arghittu; M. Dettori; M.D. Masia; A. Azara; E. Dempsey; P. Castiglia. Social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly in Sardinia, Italy, with a focus on the Sassari municipality. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene 2019, 59, E45 -E50.
AMA StyleA. Arghittu, M. Dettori, M.D. Masia, A. Azara, E. Dempsey, P. Castiglia. Social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly in Sardinia, Italy, with a focus on the Sassari municipality. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene. 2019; 59 ():E45-E50.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Arghittu; M. Dettori; M.D. Masia; A. Azara; E. Dempsey; P. Castiglia. 2019. "Social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly in Sardinia, Italy, with a focus on the Sassari municipality." Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene 59, no. : E45-E50.
Daily walking is a recommended physical activity. It can be an all-age suitable, environment-friendly transport option. However, traffic crashes are a widely recognized risk factor, associated with drivers’ errors or a combination of several environmental factors, including physical characteristics of the road space. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of built environments on pedestrian safety. Data on road accidents that had occurred between 2005 and 2015, in Alghero, Italy, were retrieved and matched with spatial and functional street qualities. On-street parking was found to increase the risk of pedestrian accidents by about two times, whereas, narrow travel lanes and intersections reduced the incidence of crashes and their public relevance. These field results could inform urban health and spatial planning policies with the final goal of improving health and providing more sustainable models of urban organization.
Tanja Congiu; Giovanni Sotgiu; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Laura Saderi; Marco Dettori. Built Environment Features and Pedestrian Accidents: An Italian Retrospective Study. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1064 .
AMA StyleTanja Congiu, Giovanni Sotgiu, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Laura Saderi, Marco Dettori. Built Environment Features and Pedestrian Accidents: An Italian Retrospective Study. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (4):1064.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTanja Congiu; Giovanni Sotgiu; Paolo Castiglia; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Laura Saderi; Marco Dettori. 2019. "Built Environment Features and Pedestrian Accidents: An Italian Retrospective Study." Sustainability 11, no. 4: 1064.
Maria Grazia Clemente; Carlo Mauceri; Nicola Grandi; Marco Dettori; Margherita Arras; Pasqualina Raspa; Giannina Secchi; Roberto Manetti; Andrea Piana; Kathleen B. Schwarz; Paolo Castiglia; Roberto Antonucci. Seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in migrants hosted at one shelter in Sardinia. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2018, 31, 101355 .
AMA StyleMaria Grazia Clemente, Carlo Mauceri, Nicola Grandi, Marco Dettori, Margherita Arras, Pasqualina Raspa, Giannina Secchi, Roberto Manetti, Andrea Piana, Kathleen B. Schwarz, Paolo Castiglia, Roberto Antonucci. Seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in migrants hosted at one shelter in Sardinia. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2018; 31 ():101355.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Grazia Clemente; Carlo Mauceri; Nicola Grandi; Marco Dettori; Margherita Arras; Pasqualina Raspa; Giannina Secchi; Roberto Manetti; Andrea Piana; Kathleen B. Schwarz; Paolo Castiglia; Roberto Antonucci. 2018. "Seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in migrants hosted at one shelter in Sardinia." Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 31, no. : 101355.
The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the relationship between official data on invasive meningococcal disease cases in Sardinia and the reporting of the cases by a regional online newspaper and (ii) to identify indicators useful for understanding the community outrage related to health events. Cases of meningococcal disease, selected from articles published between 1999 and 2016 on a regional newspaper database, were compared to those reported to the Infectious Disease Information Service. In order to evaluate the equality of the two distribution records, the Kolgomorov Smirnov test for two samples was applied. A community outrage indicator was obtained by calculating the number of published articles for each case of meningococcal disease identified. The outrage indicator was evaluated in comparison with other phenomena: drinking water supply limitation and domestic accidents. Overall, 2724 articles on meningitis/sepsis referring to 89 cases related to meningococcal disease were considered. Significant differences between the distribution of cases officially reported and those found in the newspaper (combined K-S = 0.39; p = 0.08) were not observed. The meningococcal disease outrage indicator showed an average of seven items per case. Comparing the meningococcal disease outrage indicator with those regarding the limitation of drinking water supplies and domestic accidents, a different risk perception by the reference media was found, with the highest outrage for meningococcal disease. The present study supports the role played by emotional factors as behavioral determinants in emerging threats to public health. The analysis of the data allowed us to highlight that the proposed outrage indicator could be a feasible proxy of emotional epidemiology. Finally, data confirm that meningitis is perceived as a highly outrageous health threat.
Marco Dettori; Benedetto Arru; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Gavino Mariotti; Maria Veronica Camerada; Paola Stefanelli; Giovanni Rezza; Paolo Castiglia. In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 1512 .
AMA StyleMarco Dettori, Benedetto Arru, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Gavino Mariotti, Maria Veronica Camerada, Paola Stefanelli, Giovanni Rezza, Paolo Castiglia. In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (7):1512.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Dettori; Benedetto Arru; Antonio Azara; Andrea Piana; Gavino Mariotti; Maria Veronica Camerada; Paola Stefanelli; Giovanni Rezza; Paolo Castiglia. 2018. "In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 7: 1512.