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V Gasparini

Publications and source records attributed to V Gasparini.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Infections caused by hepatitis virus A and B in hospital personnel. Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis virus A, HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc].

In order to evaluate the risk of hepatitis A and B virus infection among hospital staff in our area, 584 medical and paramedical employees of the Hospital of Ferrara (Italy) were studied for the presence of anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc serum. HAV infection was found to be less frequent among medical and nursing staff than the general population, matched for age (78.6% vs 72.2%) indicating that HAV spread within the hospital is irrelevant. However, the evidence of HBV infection is higher in hospital staff than in the general population (37.6% vs 23.0%) with a maximum prevalence in surgeons and in the operating-theatre staff, followed by nurses (both from surgical and medical wards) and physicians. The prevalence in auxiliary staff is not significantly higher than in the general population. The incidence of antibodies against HBV (anti-HBs and anti-HBc) increases with age and duration of employment, while the prevalence reaches a maximum during the initial years. The anti-HBc testing allowed for the detection of further 10% of subjects evidencing previous HBV infection.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiological study on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of health care workers with respect to HIV infection.

To analyse knowledge, perception of risk, attitudes and behaviour towards HIV infection among health workers in two hospitals in the North-East of Italy, we sent all health care workers who were working in direct contact with patients an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering personal and occupational data, perception and knowledge of risk, behaviour in routine activities, attitudes towards and care of HIV patients. The response rate was 70.06%. The perception of the risk of acquiring HIV infection was influenced by occupational qualification, by work unit and by having cared for a HIV-positive patient. Scientific knowledge about transmissibility of HIV infection was poor and 11.3% of the staff did not know the Universal Precautions. 28.3% behaved correctly in recapping needles, but with patients considered not at risk 29.9% did not use any protection in drawing venous blood. A significant portion of staff showed low willingness to care for HIV-positive patients. We found a high mean perception of the risk of contracting HIV infection through occupational exposure; health workers overestimated the specific risk and wrong behavioural attitudes persisted. To conclude, more attention should be paid to educational programs for health workers.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗