scholarly journals Compulsory Vaccination for Healthcare Workers in Italy for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 966
Author(s):  
Paola Frati ◽  
Raffaele La Russa ◽  
Nicola Di Fazio ◽  
Zoe Del Fante ◽  
Giuseppe Delogu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Private Life ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Political Debate ◽  
Compulsory Vaccination ◽  
The Individual

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) judgement no. 116(2021) of 8 April 2021 establishes the principle of mandatory vaccination, indicating the criteria that national legislation must comply with, following the principle of non-interference in the private life of the individual. Vaccination for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to be an essential requirement for providing healthcare assistance. The European experience with compulsory vaccinations, offers a composite panorama, as the strategy of some European countries is to make vaccinations compulsory, including financial penalties for non-compliance. As in other countries, there is a clear need for Italy to impose compulsory vaccination for healthcare workers, in response to a pressing social need to protect individual and public health, and above all as a defense for vulnerable subjects or patients, for whom health workers have a specific position of guarantee and trust. The Italian Republic provided for mandatory vaccinations for health professionals by Decree-Law of 1 April 2021 no. 44, to guarantee public health and adequate safety conditions. As stated by ECHR, the Italian State, despite having initially opted for recommendation as regards to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, had to adopt the mandatory system to achieve the highest possible degree of vaccination coverage among health professionals to guarantee the safety of treatments and protection of patients’ health. We present the Italian situation on vaccine hesitation in healthcare workers, with updated epidemiological data as well as the doctrinaire, social, and political debate that is raging in Italy and Europe.

A sustainable community based model of non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance: “SHRADDHA-JAGRITHI project” (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaideep Menon ◽  
Mathews Numpeli ◽  
Sajeev.P. Kunjan ◽  
Beena.V. Karimbuvayilil ◽  
Aswathy Sreedevi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Frontline Health Workers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

UNSTRUCTURED Abstract: India has a massive non-communicable disease (NCD) burden at an enormous cost to the individual, family, society and health system at large, in spite of which prevention and surveillance is relatively neglected. Risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease if diagnosed early and treated adequately would help decrease the mortality and morbidity burden. India is in a stage of rapid epidemiological transition with the state of Kerala being at the forefront, pointing us towards likely disease burden and outcomes for the rest of the country, in the future. A previous study done by the same investigators, in a population of >100,000, revealed poor awareness and treatment of NCDs and also poor adherence to medicines in individuals with CVD. The investigators are looking at a sustainable, community based model of surveillance for NCDs with corporate support wherein frontline health workers check all individuals in the target group ( > age 30 years) with further follow up and treatment planned in a “spoke and hub” model using the public health system of primary health centres (PHCs) as spokes to the hubs of Taluk or District hospitals. All data entry done by frontline health workers would be on a Tab PC ensuring rapid acquisition and transfer of participant health details to PHCs for further follow up and treatment. The model will be evaluated based on the utilisation rate of various services offered at all tier levels. The proportions of the target population screened, eligible individuals who reached the spoke or hub centres for risk stratification and care and community level control for hypertension and diabetes in annual surveys will be used as indicator variables. The model ensures diagnosis and follow up treatment at no cost to the individual entirely through the tiered public health system of the state and country.

scholarly journals Adherence to Vaccination Policy among Public Health Professionals: Results of a National Survey in Italy

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Montagna ◽  
Osvalda De Giglio ◽  
Christian Napoli ◽  
Fabrizio Fasano ◽  
Giusy Diella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Preventive Medicine ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
National Congress

Starting from 2013, the number of unvaccinated people alarmingly increased in Italy; therefore, in 2017 a new Vaccine National Plan was approved. Healthcare workers (HCWs), especially public health professionals (PHPs, i.e., workers in in the sector of hygiene and preventive medicine), have an important role in informing and promoting vaccinations. In this context, the Italian Study Group of Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (GISIO-SItI) conducted a national survey to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices towards recommended vaccinations among PHPs. The survey was conducted during October 2019 with an anonymous questionnaire distributed to PHPs attending the 52° SItI National Congress. Overall, 57.1% of operators answered correctly to all seven recommended vaccinations, 12.8% reported to be vaccinated for all seven recommended vaccinations, while 30% were naturally immunized. A higher immunization coverage was reported for anti-hepatitis B (88.9%) and measles (86.1%), and 81.3% of the participants reported being offered the influenza vaccination during the 2018/2019 season. The majority of our sample indicated that hepatitis B (95%) and influenza (93.7%) were the recommended vaccines for HCWs, while less was known regarding varicella, pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus boosters every 10 years. PHPs who were vaccinated (or who intended to be vaccinated) were more likely to recommend vaccinations to their patients and provided a reassuring example to those hesitant patients. Finally, this is the first study that identified good algorithms (using the techniques of machine learning as Random Forest and Deep Learning) to predict the knowledge of PHPs regarding recommended vaccinations with possible applications in other national and international contexts.

scholarly journals AN EVALUATION ON THE POLICIES ON PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muswandar Muswandar ◽  
Purnawan Junadi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The Right

Abstract. Law No. 36 of 2014 is a comprehensive law for health professionals. In that regulation, all health graduates that wish to practice their trade must have a letter of registration (STR). That policy also separated environmental health from public health. This was the reason why we decided to evaluate the policy that is related to public health professionals. This evaluation was a retrospective analysis that used in-depth interviews and literary research, respectively as primary and secondary data. From this research we discovered that public health graduates is has their own profession. And to obtain the right to practice their trade, they must pass the competence standard test. However, according to other regulations, only vocational or professional education graduates can participate in the test. Since there currently are no professional education institutions available for public health professionals, Minister of Health Regulation No. 41/2013 takes over. According to this law, all public health graduates will be provided an STR until there is a professional education institution. We also discovered that environmental health should NOT be separated from public health, since it is a large part of it. And therefore, the law must be amended. Abstrak. Undang-undang (UU) No. 36 Tahun 2014 mengatur tenaga kesehatan secara komprehensif. Dalam UU tersebut, semua tenaga kesehatan yang berpraktek wajib memiliki surat tanda registrasi (STR). Kebijakan juga telah memisahkan kesehatan lingkungan dari kesehatan masyarakat (kesmas). Oleh karena itu peneliti tertarik untuk melakukan evaluasi kebijakan khususnya terhadap konten kebijakan yang berhubungan dengan tenaga kesmas. Evaluasi isi kebijakan ini dilakukan dengan analisis retrospektif yang menggunakan wawancara mendalam dan telaah literatur sebagai data primer dan sekunder. Dari penelitian ini diketahui bahwa tenaga kesehatan masyarakat layak disebut sebagai sebuah profesi. Untuk mendapatkan STR, tenaga kesmas harus lulus ujian kompetensi. Tetapi, menurut peraturan yang berlaku, yang dapat mengikuti ujian kompetensi adalah lulusan pendidikan vokasi atau profesi. Namun, karena belum adanya pendidikan profesi untuk tenaga kesmas, maka untuk sementara Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 41 Tahun 2013 digunakan sebagai solusi. Dimana semua lulusan institusi kesmas akan mendapatkan STR hingga terdapat institusi pendidikan yang menyelenggarakan pendidikan profesi. Selain itu ditemukan bahwa kesling sebenarnya merupakan bagian yang penting dari kesmas, baik dalam literatur maupun pendapat para ahli. Sehingga sebaiknya dilakukan revisi atau amandemen untuk UU tersebut.

scholarly journals Mask-associated de novo headache in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose M Ramirez-Moreno ◽  
David Ceberino ◽  
Alberto Gonzalez ◽  
Belen Rebollo ◽  
Pablo Macias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to changes in the development of health care activities by health professionals. We analysed whether there is an association between the appearance of de novo headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors, as well as the impact of the headache on health professionals. Method: cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We administered an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting. Results: n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23-65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filtering masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented de novo headache. The occurrence of headache was independently associated with the use of a filtering mask, OR 2.14 (IC95% 1.07-4.32), being a nurse OR 2.09 (IC95% 1.18-3.72) or another health worker OR 6.94 (IC95% 3.01-16.04) or having a history of asthma OR 0.29 (IC95% 0.09-0.89). Depending on the type of mask used there were differences in headache intensity. And the impact of headache in the subjects who used a filtering mask was worse in the all aspects evaluated. Conclusions: The appearance of de novo headache is associated with the use of filtering masks and is more frequent in certain health care workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

scholarly journals Detection of the Novel SARS-CoV-2 European Lineage B.1.177 in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Guthrie ◽  
Sarah Teatero ◽  
Sandra Zittermann ◽  
Yao Chen ◽  
Ashleigh Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Disease Case ◽  
Novel Variants ◽  
Eastern Ontario ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Global And Local

ABSTRACTBackgroundTravel-related dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 continues to contribute to the global pandemic. A novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.177) reportedly arose in Spain in the summer of 2020, with subsequent spread across Europe linked to travel by infected individuals. Surveillance and monitoring through the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers insights into the global and local movement of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and can detect introductions of novel variants.MethodsWe analyzed the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 sequenced for surveillance purposes from specimens received by Public Health Ontario (Sept 6 – Oct 10, 2020), collected from individuals in eastern Ontario. Taxonomic lineages were identified using pangolin (v2.08) and phylogenetic analysis incorporated publicly available genomes covering the same time period as the study sample. Epidemiological data collected from laboratory requisitions and standard reportable disease case investigation was integrated into the analysis.ResultsGenomic surveillance identified a COVID-19 case with SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.177 from an individual in eastern Ontario in late September, 2020. The individual had recently returned from Europe. Genomic analysis with publicly available data indicate the most closely related genomes to this specimen were from Southern Europe. Genomic surveillance did not identify further cases with this lineage.ConclusionsGenomic surveillance allowed for early detection of a novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Ontario which was deemed to be travel related. This type of genomic-based surveillance is a key tool to measure the effectiveness of public health measures such as mandatory self-isolation for returned travellers, aimed at preventing onward transmission of newly introduced lineages of SARS-CoV-2.

Urinary incontinence in men over 50

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-68
Author(s):  
Christer Edlund ◽  
Ralph Peeker ◽  
Magnus Fall
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Effective Therapy ◽  
Public Health Strategy ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Health Strategy ◽  
The Individual

Although urinary incontinence (UI) in men is an increasing problem, it has not been investigated to the same degree as that in women. In an urbanised environment, with diverse demands on health professionals, incontinence remains a problem difficult to solve not only for the individual patient but also in terms of a public health strategy, since costs related to urinary incontinence are impressive. The prevalence of UI is increasing since this complaint is much more common in the elderly - and this section of the population is increasing in Western societies. Greater public awareness and education are further increasing demands for effective therapy for the male population.

scholarly journals For a public policy of surveillance of suicidal behavior

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (suppl 5) ◽  
pp. 2343-2347
Author(s):  
João Fernando Marcolan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Public Administrators ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Global Problem ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Intervening Factors

ABSTRACT The object is to reflect on the need for effective implementation of a surveillance program of suicidal behavior and of the causal and intervening factors of suicide, as well as to training and qualification of health professionals about this topic, and the profile of the individual with suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior is public health serious, global problem and it should be faced in a consensual way by public administrators, professionals and population. Suicide is a real, current catastrophe and a kind of death that can be avoided.

Public Health and the Virtues of Responsibility, Compassion and Humility

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The People ◽  
The One ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract In contrast to medical care, which is focused on the individual patient, public health is focused on collective health. This article argues that, in order to better protect the individual, discussions of public health would benefit from incorporating the insights of virtue ethics. There are three reasons to for this. First, the collective focus may cause neglect of the effects of public health policy on the interests and rights of individuals and minorities. Second, whereas the one-on-one encounters in medical care facilitate a compassionate and caring attitude, public health involves a distance between professionals and the public. Therefore, public health professionals must use imagination and care to evaluate the effects of policies on individuals. Third, the relationship between public health professionals and the people who are affected by the policies they design is characterized by power asymmetry, demanding a high level of responsibility from those who wield them. Against this background, it is argued that public health professionals should develop the virtues of responsibility, compassion and humility. The examples provided, i.e. breastfeeding information and vaccination policy, illustrate the importance of these virtues, which needed for normative as well as instrumental reasons, i.e. as a way to restore trust.

scholarly journals Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge and Perception of COVID-19, and Willingness to Work during the Pandemic in Nepal

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipak Prasad Upadhyaya ◽  
Rajan Paudel ◽  
Dilaram Acharya ◽  
Kaveh Khoshnood ◽  
Kwan Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Government Response ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
The Government ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

This study investigated the contextual factors associated with the knowledge, perceptions, and the willingness of frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) to work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal among a total of 1051 FHWs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify independent associations between predictors and outcome variables. Of the total study subjects, 17.2% reported inadequate knowledge on COVID-19, 63.6% reported that they perceived the government response as unsatisfactory, and 35.9% showed an unwillingness to work during the pandemic. Our analyses demonstrated that FHWs at local public health facilities, pharmacists, Ayurvedic health workers (HWs), and those with chronic diseases were less likely, and male FHWs were more likely, to have adequate knowledge of COVID-19. Likewise, nurses/midwives, public health workers, FHWs from Karnali and Far-West provinces, and those who had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 were more likely to have satisfactory perceptions towards the government response. Further, FHWs—paramedics, nurse/midwives, public health workers, laboratory workers—FHWs from Karnali Province and Far-West Province, and those with satisfactory perceptions of government responses to COVID-19 were predictors of willingness to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results suggest that prompt actions are required to improve FHWs’ knowledge of COVID-19, address negative perceptions of government responses, and motivate them through specific measures to provide healthcare services during the pandemic.

scholarly journals The Study of the Awareness of Healthcare Workers on Organizational Aspects of Vaccination

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateryna Bulavinova ◽  
Oryna Detsyk ◽  
Zoya Tsikhon
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Health Care Managers ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Care Managers

Aim. To analyze the awareness of healthcare workers on the organization of vaccination. Materials and Methods. In 2018 – 2019 sociological survey was conducted among 1384 healthcare workers from 4 Ukrainian regions: 353 primary care physicians, 233 specialized medical care doctors, 88 healthcare managers, 700 nurses, and 10 others. Results. Gaps in the knowledge and beliefs of health professionals associated with the organization of vaccination were founded: less than half of the surveyed health workers understand that vaccination is carried out with any certified vaccine, regardless of the country of origin; a significant part of respondents tend to prescribe drugs not recommended by international guidelines (53.6%), antihistamines (15.9%) and anti-inflammatory (8.0%) drugs before vaccination; do not know about the possibility of doing several vaccinations in one visit (47.3%) and that the cold chain breach affects the effectiveness of the vaccine (52.4%). It was found that the most knowledgeable about the organization of immunoprophylaxis of the population are the health care managers and medical personnel who have passed special training on vaccination vs the least informed specialized medical care doctors. Conclusions. It is necessary to develop a set of scientifically based measures to improve the awareness of health professionals about the organization of vaccination in order to improve the coverage of the population with immunoprophylaxis.

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