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Biomedical subjects

G Tarsitani

Publications and source records attributed to G Tarsitani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Multicentric survey on hygienic aspects in private dental practice].

The aim of this research was to evaluate the knowledge of cross-infection hazards in private dental practices, and their control procedures. The survey, carried out by questionnaire in 11 Italian cities, showed that dental personnel do not completely follow the main procedures for infection control. The interviewed subjects usually wear gloves (95.5%), masks (90.1%) and glasses (91.2%), less frequently caps (23.9%) and coats (54.9%). They use steam sterilizers (92.9%) and periodically check the effectiveness (80.6%). Regarding individuals protection, 20.5% is not vaccinated against HBV and only 55.2% of those previously vaccinated has checked their immunity. Moreover, the majority of subjects underestimate the infection hazards especially for air-transmitted diseases.

Adult↗

[Comparison between different methods to monitor the microbial level of indoor air contamination in the dental office].

There is no unanimous consensus on the best methodology to monitor the microbial contamination level of the air in the dental offices. Therefore, we compared a precise but expensive and complex active air sampler (Surface Air System--SAS) with a passive method (Air Microbiological Index--AMI) and a microbial parameter of salivary microrganisms, (oral streptococci--OS), with other, more simply detectable, yet more generic, parameters (staphilococci--ST total viable flora--TVF). We tested the various combinations of systems and parameters in three multi-chair dental departments, for two different weekdays, before (T0) and during (T1) the working period. Using non-parametric statistical tests we analysed, (i) the difference between T0 and T1 contamination levels assessed by various methods, in order to confirm their efficacy; (ii) the association between parameters, in order to assess whether generic parameters were as reliable as the specific parameter; (iii) the association between sampling systems, in order to test whether AMI could efficaciously substitute the active samplers. The microbial levels were significantly higher at T1 than at T0, excluding ST assessed by SAS. The parameters were highly inter-correlated. However, for low SO levels, the level of the association of this parameter with the others decreased. The results provided by SAS and AMI were also significantly correlated. However, for low contamination levels this association was not significant. In conclusion, the complex and expensive method (SO level assessed by SAS) seems more reliable for low aerial contamination levels, whereas for high levels, more simple and cheap methods could also be used.

Air Microbiology↗

Gendered experiences of conflict and co-operation in heterosexual relations of Somalis in exile in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Political upheaval and poverty at home has been forcing many Somalis to immigrate. These immigrants do not only leave their physical house, families, relatives, loved ones, friends, but also familiarities, culture, customs, and often they do end up in no man's land being between their own and new home culture. Available reports suggest that there are about 15,000 Somalis in Sweden and their majority came here from late 1989 to 1996. About one third these immigrants live in and around the city of Gothenburg. This paper explores and describes gendered experiences of conflict and co-operation in heterosexual relations of Somalis in exile in Gothenburg, Sweden. A qualitative sociological in-depth interviews with 6 women and 7 men was performed during May 1999 to January 2000. A follow up focus group interviews with 10 people (2 women and 8 men) was also carried on. The results show that both the Somali culture and Muslim religion do not support the children being taught sex education in schools or the names of the sex organs being pronounced other than to be used as metaphors. The girls, unlike their age group males, experience a very painful and terrifying process during childhood in which their self-esteem is downgraded by means of serious degrading traditional active violence such as female genital mutilation and visible virginity control. The narratives tell stories in which Somali women are degraded and expected to obey in situations characterised by their man's arbitrariness. They are subject to a very extensive form of social control, which is especially pronounced on issues regarding sexuality. Their integrity as women is, consequently set aside. When Somali refugees came to Sweden some of them came to adopt much of the modern lifestyle and cultural norm systems, preferable young people and some of the females. Relating to a new culture with its new expectations on the norm obedience also created changes in self-esteem. Exile situation tends to generate horizontal conflicts, among spouses and between groups of people. It also tends to generate vertical conflicts because now generations stand up against each other and this is especially pronounced when it is about issues of sexuality and sexual relations. The young generations questions their parents authority. They are now living in new social context and perceive risks, as well as possibilities. Their new dreams and choices, however, do not fit their parents' expectations, which sometimes leads to big problems. From a traditional perspective these deviants lack of respect for traditions and the original culture. From a male perspective this means more specifically a lack of respect for male dominance and superiority.

Adult↗

[Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and nutritional risk in elderly. A proposal of nutritional surveillance system for the Department of Public Health].

Objective of the study is to present an intervention model to evaluate nutritional risk of institutionalised elderly, suitably with the aims and resources of the Hygiene of Nutrition Services, and to individuate predictive variables of nutritional vulnerability. 237 subjects from the residential homes of ASL RMB were involved in the study; to each subject was administered: a) the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA); b) a questionnaire for the analysis of the risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the risk factors on nutritional status. On the basis of BMI the prevalence of malnutrition is 6.5% and the prevalence of overweight and obesity is respectively 41.6% and 22.9%; on the basis of MNA, 5.1% of the subjects is malnourished and 60.3% at risk for malnutrition. The absence of chewing difficulties (OR 2.94; I.C. 1.46-5.91) and the habit to eat all foods served at meals (OR 2.83; I.C. 1.46-5.91) are associated with a good nutritional status. The age > or = 90 years is a risk factor for malnutrition at the limit of statistical significance (OR 0.44; I.C. 0.14-1.00). Carrying out the MNA resulted easy and quick, confirming the hypothesis for feasibility of this protocol in the Hygiene of Nutrition Services. The results highlight an high nutritional risk of the elderly nursing home residents and the importance of planning programs of nutritional surveillance with particular attention on masticatory function impairments, meal intake and on the oldest subjects among the elderly as a group greatly vulnerable. We believe that these areas are very important in defining public health intervention programs.

Aged↗

[The HACCP method for personnel education].

In order to guarantee an alimentary safety it is necessary to estimate the real meant sanitary risk as probability of insurgence of microbiological pathologies and to develop the concepts of the HACCP therefore as indicated from D.lgs. 155/97. In six scholastic catering services, some which three had applied system HACCP and three not, have been conduct microbiological analyses on the superficial ones, the staff and the alimony. It has been estimated the effectiveness of the system HACCP observing the modifications been necessary during the trend temporal, through 5 series of samples, carried out in three years 2000-2002. The not optimal situation emerged from the search confirms that the use of the handbook of CPI and the self-control based on method HACCP needs of time and professional contributions for one they corrected management.

Consumer Product Safety↗

[Accessibility and quality to health social services in Italy for the patients with rare diseases: the opinion of associations].

This paper concerns the first phase of a study about the perception of social and health needs of people with rare diseases. The study was performed by the National Center for Rare Diseases at the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità - ISS). The project wants to be an example of collaboration between the research and the association worlds. Responsible of Associations of Patients and their relatives were asked their opinion about the accessibility and quality of important features of health and social services (accessibility and quality of diagnostic, pharmacological, psychological and rehabilitative interventions, social support, school and vocational training, information that was given to relatives). An ad hoc questionnaire was developed through focus groups. The questionnaire was completed by 108 associations (26,5% of the associations thar are recorded in the ISS database). Average scores showed satisfaction only for some variables and a negative gradient north-south was observed. The most frequent complaints were about information, quality of school and job training services and availability of psychological support. The study showed an high level of dissatisfaction with availability, quality and integration health and social services.

Academies and Institutes↗

[Prevention of oral cancer: practice patterns in a dentists' group].

Annually, 3000 people in our country die for oral cancer. Contrarily to other forms of cancer that require the use of instrumental diagnostic tools, the oral cavity is easy to examine and the cancer is usually preceded by precancerous conditions. The problem of the diagnostic delay can be explained through a underestimation of the lesions of the oral cavity by patients and a lack of sensibilization to prevention topics from dentists. Our work has inquired in the activity of a group of dentist with more than ten years than experience on accuracy of the anamnesis, objective exam and appropriate of the resource to specialists, and that with the aim not to measure the clinical abilities but to estimate the attitude towards the Prevention topics, in special way in the field of the malignant tumors of the oral cavity.

Female↗

[Epidemiologic survey of medical and non-medical personnel in a public dental clinic].

Hepatitis B and C and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection represent an occupational problem for the dentist. Few data are available in literature about the situation in our country. An epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of Hepatitis B (HbsAb) and C (HCVab) markers and the exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Tine test) of the whole population of a public dental clinic (247 dental care workers). Furthermore participants were asked to fill a questionnaire to assess their vaccination status. 67,2% of the subjects were found to be positive for HbsAb (77,4% of medical personnel and 28,8% of the auxiliary medical personnel). Only one subject was found positive for anti-HCV (0,4%). 12,5% of the population showed a positive Tine test (15,4% of medical personnel and 1,9% of the auxiliary medical personnel). Our data show a difference between the percentage of subjects who were vaccinated (2,4%) and those who were positive to the Tine test (12,5%).

Adult↗

[Arterial pressure in a student population in Aquila].

The preliminary data of a policentric study for the determination of the blood-pressure values and the risk factors associated with high-blood pressure are reported for establishing a prospective epidemiological research. This research involved 258 children attending nursery, elementary-school in the city of L'Aquila. The weight, height, the triceps-skin-fold, the heart-rate, the blood systolic and diastolic-pressure (fifth tone) were examined. Furthermore the parent who accompanied the child was given a questionnaire in order to define: the general information concerning the child and the parent, the family anamnesis concerning the pathology correlated to the high-blood pressure, the child's weight at birth and the thronging-index (the ratio of the number of the family members with respect to the number of the habitable rooms). The obtained data show, especially for the PAS, higher blood-pressure values (greater than 95. percentile) in the grown-up subjects and in the male. The close correlation between the heart rate, BMI and the weight at birth, on one hand, and the blood-pressure values on the other hand, show, besides the validity of the research carried out, the connection between the blood-pressure situation and other physiological, paraphysiological and pathological factors. In conclusion, observing that a considerably high percentage of subjects with high-blood pressure values (5.8%' is one important result, especially for the future implications that it can have; it has to be defined if this situation has a prediction value of constant high-blood pressure in the adult and in what measure the examined factors influence the stabilization of this pathological situation.

Adult↗

[Starting points for the Italian actualization derived from the experience of community medicine in developing countries].

The Authors have studied the salient features of Community Medicine from three different aspects: 1) the theory of primary health care, as defined by the WHO, as a fundamental element in Community Medicine; 2) the characteristics it assumes in health planning in developing countries, where it is designed to meet the special local requirements; 3) the situation in Italy, where local medical care is regarded as a favoured sphere for projects, but where different planning and policies are required. From this study we have selected a number of ideas gathered during our experience in developing countries, which are suitable for adoption in Italy: the setting up of health care systems on global, capillary and participatory lines, aimed jointly at prevention, diagnosis and therapy: the use of scientific methodologies which are both thorough and accurate, and which are available for user countries; adequate personnel training; coordination between medical care and the working world; all this with the aim of enabling each and every individual to lead a socially and economically productive life, by ensuring the greatest possible physical and mental well being.

Community Medicine↗