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IntroductionThis study investigated the quality of sleep in a sample of individuals from Southern Italy after the major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of evaluating how sleep patterns changed.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023 and involved adults who had a COVID-19 infection, who were invited to complete a self-administered online questionnaire.ResultsA total of 408 individuals participated in the survey. Overall, 66.4% had a reduction in social relations; 72.1% had an increase in the use of social media; and 86%, 77.2%, and 71.1% reported an extremely severe level of anxiety, stress, and depression, respectively. Almost all of the respondents had a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (PSQI) ≥5, indicating poor sleep quality. Subjects with a severe or extremely severe depression score, a severe or extremely severe stress score, who had a job, and who had someone close who died because of a COVID-19 infection were more likely to have a high PSQI global score. The use of sleep medication in the past months was significantly higher in those who were older, who had a job, who had a COVID-19 infection in the first and second waves, who had someone close who died from COVID-19, and who did not have changes in social relationships during the pandemic. Moreover, participants with severe or extremely severe depression scores, with severe or extremely severe stress scores, who were women, and who were older had troubles staying awake while engaging in social activities during the past month.ConclusionThe results bring to light the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among individuals who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Future research is needed to understand whether these disturbances are still present in the endemic period and whether it is necessary to investigate further determinants that have affected and/or are affecting sleep quality.

Background: This study aims to evaluate parents’ knowledge about vaccination targeted for adolescents. Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and April 2024 in a sample of parents of adolescents attending middle and high schools in Southern Italy. Results: Only 10.9% of parents correctly answered all the questions related to the knowledge of vaccinations during adolescence. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that male parents, those who were married/cohabitants, those who had a university degree/masters/PhD, those who were unemployed, those who had a higher number of cohabitants, those who had more than one son/daughter, and parents of older adolescents were significantly more likely to have correct knowledge regarding the vaccinations during adolescence. Overall, more than half of the parents reported that their sons/daughters received the vaccinations indicated during adolescence. Moreover, regarding the vaccinations recommended during adolescence, only 37.2% of parents reported having vaccinated their sons/daughtesr with HPV and tetravalent meningococcal vaccinations. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that those who had correct knowledge regarding vaccination during adolescence, those who had only one son/daughter, parents of older adolescents, those who had a daughter, those who had at least one chronic disease, and those who had a higher number of cohabitants were significantly more likely to have vaccinated their sosn/daughters with HPV and tetravalent meningococcal vaccinations. Conclusions: These findings underlined the need to plan immunization campaigns for adolescents and their parents, with the implementation of educational programs specifically targeted to these groups.

IntroductionThis study explored the quality of sleep among university students in the South of Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023 and involved students over the age of 18, who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire using an online application.ResultsOverall, 88% of men and 94.5% of women had Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores of ≥5 and a mean PSQI score of 9.2 ± 3. Students with severe or extremely depression score, with sever or extremely stress score, male and who did not had Covid-19 infection were more likely to have a PSQI global score. Moreover, 62.6% of the students declared a reduction in social relations and 72.3% an increase in the use of social media during the pandemic period. The majority of respondents reported an extremely severe level of depression (68.1%), anxiety (84.4%) and stress (71.9%).ConclusionThis finding indicate that a relevant percentage of students are poor sleepers with a higher overall PSQI score with depression and stress and underline the role the implementation of public health interventions to promote healthy life styles and in particular focus on the duration of long night sleep.

IntroductionThis study explored knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) among women attending primary care services.MethodsThe cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2022 in adult women attending three primary care services in Italy, who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 34.7% of participants know that OPC is HPV-associated; knowledge was higher among women who had personal, familiar or friends’ experience of cancer, and who reported to often seek dental care, whereas it was lower in older women. The perception of risk of developing OPC was high for 26.4% of women and was higher in those who had experienced STD, who knew that early sexual debut is a risk factor for OPC, and who considered useful the role of dentists on the provision of information about OPC. Only 22.5% had received HPV vaccination, but 62% intended to receive it in the future. Moreover, 63.2% believe that HPV vaccination is very useful to prevent OPC and only 27% are concerned about health consequences of HPV vaccination.ConclusionThese findings indicate that women’s awareness of the role of HPV infection in the development of OPC is not satisfactory and underline the role that dentists might have in improving their patients’ awareness on HPV related OPC.

The aim of this study was to analyze sedentary behaviors and dietary habits assumed by individuals regularly practicing exercise in a gym, sports athletes and inactive individuals. The Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and the Healthy Dietary Habits Index were administered online to evaluate the time spent in sedentary activities during the week and the habits of food consumption among adult individuals from the Campania region, in the south of Italy. Of the 411 participants, 25% were inactive, 34% were gym practitioners and 41% practiced different sport disciplines. Significant differences were found for sedentary habits adopted during the week and diets between athletes and inactive participants. However, no significant differences were observed for sedentary activities on the weekend and some sedentary behaviors such as video gaming or working/studying during the week. With regard to diet, athletes showed healthier food choices, such as fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings of this study underline the need for enhancing the awareness of the local population regarding the detrimental effects of unhealthy dietary behaviors and sedentary time, especially but not exclusively among inactive individuals.

Background: Despite the efforts of the World Health Organization, some childhood viral diseases, for which there is already an effective vaccine, have not yet been eradicated. Among these, we find varicella, mumps, measles, and rubella, which although in most cases have a benign course, can in some cases be responsible for infectious outbreaks, especially in nosocomial settings. The aim of this study was to verify the immunological situation of a cohort of trainee obstetricians in Campania regarding varicella, mumps, measles, and rubella to be used as an example for the evaluation of possible preventive strategies to avoid infectious outbreaks. Methods: All the samples collected and sent to the laboratory were eligible for analysis and have been included in the study. Specific IgG for varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella were assayed on serum samples taken from 517 trainee obstetricians using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The seropositivity results were statistically analyzed by correlating them to age group and gender. Results: The results obtained show that a percentage of trainee obstetricians tested do not have an effective immunological coverage against at least one of the vaccine-preventable diseases considered, especially for mumps. Conclusions: Therefore, it is proposed to extend surveillance to other professionals in contact with frail patients and increase awareness of vaccination campaigns.

Background: This study explored awareness and adhesion of parents to the recommendations for influenza vaccination for their children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2022 among parents of 6 months–6 years-old children in Southern Italy. Results: Only 22.1% of parents were aware that influenza vaccination was recommended for healthy children, and 31.8% reported at least one influenza vaccination in the four influenza seasons from 2018/2019 to 2021/2022. Adherence was higher among parents who had received influenza vaccination at least once, who knew the main childhood vaccinations, who knew that influenza can be prevented, that influenza vaccination is recommended for healthy children, who believe that it is useful, and who have been informed about it by physicians. Willingness to vaccinate their children in the upcoming season was 48.6% and was higher among parents who had vaccinated their children at least once, believed that influenza vaccination protects against severe complications, believed that it is useful, and that it is not better for children to acquire immunization through illness than through vaccination. Conclusions: These findings suggest that efforts should be devoted to educating parents on the risks associated with the disease and the benefits of the vaccine.