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Background The issue of reluctance towards vaccination is becoming more worrisome. Health care workers (HCWs) are the primary point of contact with individuals who make decisions about vaccination. Therefore, it is crucial that HCWs receive sufficient training and periodic updates. The main objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the HCWs' training needs in vaccination and vaccine uptake. Methods In February 2022, a search was conducted on MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The search included papers written in English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Romanian, with a publication date ranging from 1 January 2011 to 24 February 2022 and conducted in Europe. To assess the methodological quality of the papers, the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies was utilized. Results The search of scientific literature yielded 640 outcomes on PubMed, 556 on Scopus and 15 on Google Scholar, for a total of 1211 records. After eliminating duplicates, screening titles and abstracts and evaluating the full text of the articles, only 25 of them were found suitable for inclusion. The studies' overall quality ranged from moderate to good. The majority of the research emphasized the need for improved knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine efficacy, immunization schedules and vaccine adverse effects. Conclusions It is vital to prioritize educational programmes on vaccinology and vaccine hesitancy for HCWs, with the objective of improving their knowledge, awareness and attitudes. Addressing the diversity of educational backgrounds, roles and training requirements of HCWs involved in vaccination across Europe is a critical issue that must be tackled for future initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previous research has suggested an ethnic association of Heck's disease with a prominent genetic and familial inheritance pattern, but no systematic review has been reported, which has collected all the evidence in one paper. The aim was estimation of the updated age estimates and gender predilection of this disease and also questioning its proposed link to ethnic and geographical factors. Methods Heck's disease from 1966 until present are tabulated, including various descriptive characteristics. After removal of duplicates and adhering to all the inclusion criteria, we shortlisted 95 case reports. The quality assessment of all included studies has been done following STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. Results We found an age range of 3–92 years (mean: 23.1 years) with a male to female ratio of 3:4. Geographical distribution revealed one of the main findings of this study, which was an increased incidence of Heck's disease in the European region. Conclusions As already observed and established, there is a much greater prevalence of this disease in the indigenous populations of the world and more research should be encouraged to understand the correct transmission and pattern of spread of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The burden of energy and fuel poverty (EFP) in Europe is increasing in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the climate emergency. While the health impacts of EFP are often the driving reason for addressing it, EFP's association with health is poorly delineated. This review aims to scope the evidence of EFP's association with health in Europe. Methods A scoping review based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework was conducted using search terms relevant to EFP, health and Europe. Five databases were searched, in addition to hand searching. Review selection was performed by two independent reviewers, and articles were thematically analyzed. Results Thirty-five articles published between January 2000 and March 2022 were included. The literature varied in definitions and measurements of EFP and in the health indicators examined. The review revealed a negative association between EFP and health, specifically, general unspecified poor health (9 articles), excess winter mortality (3 articles), communicable diseases (3 articles), non-communicable diseases (11 articles), mental health (15 articles) and well-being (12 articles). While women were reported to be at a higher risk of EFP than men, children and older adults were identified as particularly vulnerable to EFP's adverse health repercussions. Conclusions This scoping review illustrates a significant and complex association between EFP and various domains of health. Though heterogeneity across research makes it difficult to compare findings, our review supports the use of health as a justification to address EFP and urges public health to be more involved in EFP mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GTs) are genetic tests for a medical or non-medical trait that are sold directly to the public, usually ordered without the engagement of a healthcare professional. Our aim was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward DTC-GTs among European citizens. Methods We updated the most recent systematic review on citizens' perspectives toward DTC-GTs. Relevant English language studies were searched on PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar from October 2014 to April 2019. We extended our search on Scopus without publication date restriction, since it was not included in the former review. Eligible studies were conducted in European countries and reported original data. The quality of the studies was evaluated using a checklist developed by Kmet et al. Results We included six studies conducted in European countries between 2015 and 2018. The studies were performed among general population in the Netherlands, students in Italy and Greece, laypeople in Germany and older adults in Switzerland. The level of awareness, in overall low, differed by country and population group. Most of the participants were interested in undergoing a DTC-GT, mainly for knowing the risk predisposition to a common disease. Concerns were raised about tests' validity and utility and data privacy. Conclusions Our review shows that European citizens, overall, have a low level of knowledge on DTC-GTs and a high interest in their purchase. This understanding might contribute to the development of educational programs in order to the increase of general public capabilities to make appropriate health decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Multiple studies report reductions in air pollution associated with COVID-19 lockdowns. Methods We performed a systematic review of the changes observed in hazardous air pollutants known or suspected to be harmful to health, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM). We searched PubMed and Web of Science for studies reporting the associations of lockdowns with air pollutant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and North America. Results One hundred nine studies were identified and analyzed. Several pollutants exhibited marked and sustained reductions. The strongest was NO2 (93% of 89 estimated changes were reductions) followed by CO (88% of 33 estimated pollutant changes). All NOx and benzene studies reported significant reductions although these were based on fewer than 10 estimates. About three-quarters of PM2.5 and PM10 estimates showed reductions and few studies reported increases when domestic fuel use rose during COVID-19 lockdowns. In contrast, O3 levels rose as NOx levels fell. SO2 and ammonia (NH3) had mixed results. In general, greater reductions appeared when lockdowns were more severe, as well as where baseline pollutant levels were higher, such as at low-elevation and in densely populated areas. Substantial and robust reductions in NO2, NO, CO, CO2, PM2.5, PM10, benzene and air quality index pollution occurred in association with COVID-19 lockdowns. O3 levels tended to increase, while SO2 and NH3 had mixed patterns. Conclusions Our study shows the profound impact of human activity levels on air pollution and its potential avoidability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]