Search Results (208)

Background: Vaccine hesitancy (VH) represents a growing concern among healthcare professionals and students, potentially undermining public health efforts. Nursing, pediatric nursing, and midwifery students are future vaccinators and educators, making it essential to understand their attitudes, knowledge, and confidence toward vaccination. This study aims to assess vaccine-related perceptions and behaviors among these student populations in an Italian university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022 and February 2024 at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. A structured, anonymous questionnaire, including the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale, vaccine knowledge items, and sources of information, was administered to students in nursing (n = 205), pediatric nursing (n = 46), and midwifery (n = 21). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, post hoc tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: Among the 272 participants, 20.6% reported refusing at least one recommended vaccine, and 18.4% delayed vaccination for non-medical reasons. Vaccine knowledge and confidence increased significantly with academic progression (p < 0.001). Midwifery students showed both the highest concern for long-term vaccine effects and the greatest confidence in vaccine safety. Institutional and scientific sources were the most trusted, though traditional and non-institutional media also influenced perceptions, particularly among midwifery students. Conclusions: Despite high COVID-19 vaccine uptake, VH persists among health professional students. Discipline-specific patterns highlight the need for early, targeted educational strategies to enhance vaccine literacy and reduce hesitancy. Tailored training may empower future professionals to become informed and credible advocates for vaccination. Full article

Background/Objective: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Italian university students and their association with emotional factors and parafunctional behaviors. Methods: A total of 321 students participated in this study. TMD signs and symptoms were evaluated using the DC/TMD criteria through clinical examinations and self-report questionnaires: physical (Symptom Questionnaire), psycho-emotional (PHQ-9, PHQ-15, PHQ-4, and GAD-7), and wake-state oral behaviors (Oral Behavior Checklist, OBC). The Mann–Whitney U test assessed associations between TMD, sociodemographic data, oral behaviors, and psychological vulnerability (p < 0.05). Results: Pain-related symptoms were present in 37% of students (male/female ratio 1:2.7; p < 0.001), and joint dysfunction in 28%, with no gender differences. The median score of PHQ-9 (2.0; interquartile range IQR 5.0), PHQ-15 (2.0; IQR 5.0), PHQ-4 (3.0; IQR 6.0), and GAD-7 (3.00; IQR 6.0) suggested negligible severity of anxious mood, depressed mood, and somatic symptoms among the university students. However, all scores were noticeably higher in students with pain-related TMD compared to pain-free ones (p < 0.05). OBC scores were significantly related to PHQ (p < 0.001), GAD-7 (p < 0.001), and pain symptoms (p < 0.001). Science faculty students (S) showed higher OBC scores than humanities ones (H; S: 20.0; IQR 13.0 vs. H: 16.0; IQR 14.0; p < 0.001), and an H/S ratio of 1:2 was found in pain prevalence (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms, particularly pain-related, among university students, strongly linked to emotional factors and oral behaviors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent decades have seen a remarkable westernization of diets and a decline in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). This study examined the eating habits of a representative sample of Italian university students to identify the determinants of adherence to the MD and the most relevant actions to improve their well-being. Methods: The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED) and Sustainable Healthy Diet (SHED) index questionnaires were used to explore MD adherence as the primary outcome, and dietary behavior sustainability, respectively. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle information was also collected. Results: The final sample included 1434 subjects (18–24; 60% female). The median (IQR) KIDMED score was 6.0 (4.0–8.0) and 33% showed a high adherence to the MD. Having breakfast, eating fruit and vegetables at least once a day, consuming pasta or other grains almost daily, and using olive oil at home were among the most common positive aspects of students’ diets. However, regular consumption of fish, nuts, legumes, dairy products, and a second serving of fruit and vegetables was less prevalent. Having an active lifestyle, eating more plant products, and having more sustainable dietary behaviors in terms of the SHED index, were the main determinants of a high KIDMED score. Likewise, graduate students, daily consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, and students attending university canteens daily were more likely to adopt healthier diets. Conclusions: Future actions are crucial to create a food environment that facilitates healthy and sustainable dietary choices among young adults, such as improving the nutritional quality of processed products and regulating their promotion, as well as implementing initiatives to improve university food services and encourage the use of campus dining facilities. Full article

Background: Alcohol and substance use among young people is a well-documented public health concern, and is particularly prevalent in college populations. Problematic internet use is also an emerging issue, with potential negative effects on academic achievement. University dropout remains a critical challenge, especially among freshmen, with research highlighting the role of academic engagement factors such as motivation, self-efficacy, and university connectedness in students’ academic trajectories. Methods: This study explored the relationships among risky substance use, problematic internet use, academic engagement factors, and academic outcomes, identifying potential mediators. Freshmen from an Italian university were invited to complete an online survey assessing these variables. The study defined two academic outcomes: (i) academic performance (Grade Point Average, GPA) and (ii) dropout intentions. Spearman’s rho coefficients and multiple linear regression models examined the associations among risky substance/internet use, academic engagement factors, and academic outcomes. Mediation analyses assessed whether academic engagement variables mediated the relationship between risky substance/internet use and academic outcomes. Results: The results showed that only problematic internet use was significantly associated with GPA, with self-efficacy and lack of motivation fully mediating this relationship. Regarding dropout intentions, problematic internet use and the risky use of alcohol, cannabis, and sedatives were directly and positively associated with dropout intentions. Several motivation subscales, self-efficacy, and university connectedness mediated these relationships. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of academic engagement factors in mitigating the impact of risky behaviors on students’ academic trajectories, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Full article

Background: Perfectionism is a growing concern among university students, who face high expectations, demanding workloads, and complex academic tasks. These pressures often lead to stress, negatively impacting performance, well-being, and career trajectories. Existing measures of perfectionism and related stress lack focus on their causes and relevance to students. Methods: This study developed and psychometrically tested an inventory assessing the causes (ROOTS), manifestations (MPS-R), and stress (IPSS-R) related to perfectionism. A multicenter cross-sectional online survey was conducted across multiple Italian universities with 469 students. The ROOTS tool was developed, and the MPS and IPSS were adapted following established guidelines. Content validity was examined, and pilot testing was performed. Confirmatory factor analyses tested three-factor models with a second-order factor for each instrument. Construct validity and reliability were also assessed. Results: The ROOTS, MPS-R, and IPSS-R demonstrated strong structural and construct validity, with acceptable reliability. Significant correlations highlighted the interconnectedness of perfectionism’s causes, manifestations, and stress. Conclusions: The Perfectionism Inventory offers a comprehensive tool for identifying causes, manifestations, and consequences of perfectionism in university students. It can help educators and policymakers develop strategies to mitigate its impact on mental health and academic success. Future research should explore its applicability in other populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Organ transplantation is a vital treatment for individuals with advanced chronic-degenerative diseases. However, the global shortage of donated organs remains a significant challenge. Improving knowledge and attitudes could positively impact this issue. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding organ donation and transplantation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a previously validated questionnaire administered to 235 second- and third-year undergraduate nursing students from two Italian universities. Results: The response rate was 67.3%. Only 40.4% of students felt adequately informed about transplants and brain death, while 12.8% would not authorise organ transplantation for a family member. Willingness to authorise organ procurement from family members in a brain-dead state was positively associated with being atheist or agnostic (χ² = 7.235; p = 0.022), being in the third year of study (χ² = 4.282; p = 0.039) and having positive self-assessed knowledge (χ² = 8.061; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Nursing students exhibited suboptimal knowledge and positive attitudes toward organ and tissue donation. However, there is a need for health policymakers to implement strategies to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation through school and community programmes and public education campaigns. Full article

Background: Difficulties in emotion regulation are associated with a range of emotional disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression. However, the mechanisms that underpin this relationship are still unclear. Moreover, little is known about emotion regulation in university students with specific learning disorder (SLD). This study examined emotion regulation and its role as mediator in the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms in a group of university students with and without SLD. Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine Italian university students between 18 and 31 years of age were enrolled. Fifty students had a diagnosis of SLD and seventy-nine were typically developing students (TD). The data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted as part of a broader research project investigating the well-being of university students. Participants completed questionnaires for emotion regulation (DERS), anxiety (BAI), and depression (BDI). Results: In comparison to the group without SLD, the participants with SLD self-reported more frequent emotional regulation problems and more symptoms of anxiety and depression. SLD students also reported more difficulties in three domains of emotion regulation (nonacceptance, strategies, and clarity). Moreover, in both SLD and TD students, emotion regulation was found to mediate the association between anxiety and depression. Conclusions: The study suggests the importance of promoting adaptive emotion regulation strategies in university students with SLD and incorporating emotion regulation as a clinical target into existing interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Smoking remains a major public health concern, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in smoking cessation efforts. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and smoking behaviors of Italian students and graduates in dental hygiene from different regional areas (Group A) and students in health disciplines at a single university (Group B). Methods: Two separate surveys were conducted using a specifically designed online questionnaire administered to voluntary participants between February and April 2024. The questionnaire collected data on smoking habits, awareness of smoke-free products, sources of information, and perceptions of health effects. Results: A total of 878 questionnaires were completed. While 49.8% of participants had never smoked, 16.3% were regular smokers and 14% were occasional users of either traditional cigarettes or alternative smoke-free products. Awareness of non-combustion products was high, with social circles (74%) and social media (47.9%) being primary sources of information. Users of smoke-free products reported subjective improvements in halitosis, dental discoloration, cough, exercise capacity, and sense of taste. Despite 78% of participants receiving specific training on smoking-related diseases, gaps in knowledge persisted, particularly regarding the toxicological nature of smoking and the role of nicotine in smoking-related diseases. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for continued education and training on smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction among future HCPs. Strengthening evidence-based knowledge could enhance their ability to manage smoking-related diseases and promote effective cessation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Satisfaction among undergraduate nursing students plays a crucial role in student retention, helping to mitigate nursing shortages in the workforce, reduce academic costs, and uphold universities’ reputations. The Nursing Student Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) measures three theoretical domains: Professional Social Interaction, Curriculum and Teaching, and Learning Environment. Although the NSSS has demonstrated reliability and validity with respect to American nursing students, its psychometric properties have not been tested on a population of Italian nursing students. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the NSSS in regard to Italian nursing students. Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted on undergraduate nursing students in Central Italy. A confirmatory approach was used to assess structural validity. The construct validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and responsiveness to change of the NSSS were evaluated using correlation analyses, reliability coefficients, and measurement error determination. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor first-order structure of the NSSS as well as the presence of a single second-order factor. Reliability was adequate for all the coefficients computed (with values ranging from 0.924 to 0.974). Construct validity was supported. The measurement error was adequate. Conclusions: The NSSS exhibited robust measurement properties, confirming its validity and reliability as an instrument for assessing nursing student satisfaction in the Italian context. Furthermore, our results indicate that, after the translation and cultural adaptation of the scale, the construct of nursing student satisfaction remains consistent with the theoretical model. Full article

Body image and self-esteem are central to psychological health and have been identified as contributing factors in the development and maintenance of psychiatric conditions such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. This study investigates the relationship between these variables among university students in India and Italy, contributing to the understanding of how cultural contexts shape these psychological constructs in adult populations. The sample consisted of 767 participants (391 from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and 376 from University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli), aged 18 and above. Participants completed standardized measures, namely the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Body Investment Scale, and Body Uneasiness Test, through paper-based questionnaires administered in controlled settings. Indian students reported higher self-esteem and more positive body image compared to their Italian counterparts, who exhibited lower self-esteem and higher body dissatisfaction. Across both groups, higher self-esteem was strongly associated with lower body uneasiness. Regression analyses revealed high self-esteem significantly predicted positive body attitudes, with stronger protective effects among Italian participants. Indian students demonstrated broader resilience, potentially linked to cultural values. The findings contribute to psychiatry by emphasizing self-esteem and body image as culturally sensitive psychological constructs that may influence vulnerability to psychiatric distress in young adults. Understanding these factors can support prevention and early intervention strategies in student populations, particularly regarding body dissatisfaction, emotional regulation, and self-concept. Full article

On 24 February 2024, Italian physicians, dentists and oral care specialists, students, nurses, psychologists, dental hygienists, and other professionals met (live or online) to discuss controversial issues about medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). One section hosted international experts who gave lectures about MRONJ experiences in North America, Europe, and Italy. A second section summarized the principal points of an Italian MRONJ position paper published in February 2024 by experts from the Italian Societies of Oral Pathology and Medicine (SIPMO) and Maxillofacial Surgery (SICMF). The following section collates expert opinions about open issues and required fields of research: different definitions of MRONJ and impact on staging; the assessment of individual MRONJ risk before the start of antiresorptive therapy; surgery and implantology in patients at risk for MRONJ; cancer patients without metastases and prevention of cancer-treatment-induced bone Loss (CTIBL); the role of dental hygiene professionals; combined (medical and surgical) and surgical therapy for MRONJ in-patients and out-patients; and legal aspects and claims related to MRONJ diagnosis and treatment. Scientific contributions from hospitals and universities all over Italy were presented in specific sessions (epidemiology; case series; special case reports; prevention experiences; MRONJ treatment). Conclusions: the conference confirmed the importance of the adequate imaging study of bone in the diagnosis and staging of MRONJ cases, the role of surgery in MRONJ treatment, and the value of oral hygiene in the MRONJ prevention. Full article

This study investigates indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort in Italian university classrooms, considering seasonal variations. Poor IAQ can impair students’ cognitive performance and well-being, making ventilation strategies crucial. The aim is to assess CO₂ levels, temperature, and humidity, analyzing their interactions across seasons. A monitoring protocol was applied in three classrooms using NDIR sensors and a microclimate assessment system. Sensors were placed strategically to capture representative data in 20 days in spring and autumn. Results indicate that CO₂ levels peaked at 2324.2 ppm in autumn, significantly exceeding the 1000 ppm threshold, whereas spring levels remained below 953.4 ppm. Relative humidity ranged from 32.7% to 55.6%, with higher values in autumn. Temperatures varied from 19.1 °C to 27.5 °C, with warmer conditions in spring. Strong positive correlations (always greater than 0.70) between CO₂ and humidity suggest inadequate air exchange reduces IAQ, potentially affecting cognitive performance. This research provides valuable insights for improving student well-being through better air quality management. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing classroom environments, supporting cognitive performance, and improving student well-being through better air quality management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage characterized by significant psychological and emotional changes. Within the school context, academic self-efficacy (ASE) influences students’ emotional well-being, including positive and negative affective states. Research has shown that both ASE and emotional well-being are associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and immigrant background. This study aims to examine whether SES and immigrant background moderate the relationship between ASE and positive/negative affect among adolescents. Methods: Data were collected from a representative sample of 26,564 10th-grade students in Italian schools. ASE, positive and negative affect, SES, and immigrant background were assessed through validated measures. Multigroup structural equation modeling (multigroup SEM) was conducted to test the moderating roles of SES (low, middle, high) and immigrant background (native, first-generation immigrant, second-generation immigrant) on the relationship between ASE and affective states. Results: The results indicated that ASE significantly predicted positive affect (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) and negative affect (β = −0.17, p < 0.001) across all groups. However, results indicated no significant differences in the ASE–emotional affect relationship across SES and immigrant background groups, indicating that neither SES nor immigrant background moderated these associations. Conclusions: The findings suggest that ASE is associated with both positive affect and negative affect in adolescents, irrespective of SES and immigrant background. This highlights the universal importance of fostering ASE in school settings to support emotional well-being across diverse demographic groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent decades, the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional foods for the global population has become urgent. To this aim, edible insects, cultivated meat, and vegetables produced through soil-less farming have been proposed. This cross-sectional study was aimed at exploring willingness to eat these novel foods and its possible correlates in young Italian adults. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was administered to the student populations of 13 universities throughout the Italian territory. Results: The results show that insects and cultivated meat were widely acknowledged as possible food, while soil-free cultivation seems to be less known. Indeed, the percentage of participants who have heard of insects, cultivated meat, and soil-free cultivation was respectively equal to 91.5%, 84.7%, and 32.9%. However, the majority of respondents were uncertain about the sustainability of all the proposed products (52.6% for insects, 39.5% for cultivated meat, and 58.0% for soil-free cultivation, respectively), and the propensity to try and eat insects (9.5%) was lower than that declared for synthetic meat (22.8%) and products from soil-free cultivation (19.2%). However, the regression analysis showed that the propensity to eat these foods regularly is positively related to the confidence in their sustainability (p < 0.001). Willingness to try each of the proposed foods positively correlated with that declared for the others (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to implement interventions aimed at increasing awareness about the use of these products as alternatives to less sustainable foods and the importance of identifying consumer groups to which these interventions should be addressed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized by an obsession with rigid dietary rules, which leads to an emphasis being placed on food purity and health. Exploring the prevalence rates and understanding the potential risk factors associated with ON is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. This study investigated the prevalence of ON and examined different variables in associations to enhance our knowledge of their impact on ON tendency. Methods: A sample of 500 participants, including 357 women and 143 men, aged between 20 and 60, from an Italian university community was recruited to complete an online survey assessing ON, using the 15-item self-report measure ORTO-15, and Mediterranean diet adherence and lifestyle habits using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE) questionnaires, respectively. Student’s t-test, ANOVA, chi-squared test, and multiple linear regressions were used for analyses. Results: We found that MEDAS and MEDLIFE scores were statistically higher in males than in females, while the ORTO-15 score was significantly lower in females than in males. In the total, ON prevalence was 19.8% (women = 16.08% and men = 21.28%). Multiple regression analyses on the ORTO-15 score and different variables showed that in our population sample, ON was associated with female sex (β = −2.98; p = 4 × 10⁻⁶) and the body mass index (BMI) (β = −0.41; p = 6.71 × 10⁻⁷). When adjusting for sex and the BMI, the resulting ORTO-15 score was associated with health science faculty attendance (β = 1.26, p = 0.003), following a food plan (β = −3.14; p = 1 × 10⁻⁷) and carrying out physical activity (β = −1.20; p = 0.03). Conclusions: This study identified the importance of several factors for ON focusing on lifestyle habits that clinicians should consider when assessing patients at risk for eating disorders. Further studies are warranted to better define the diagnostic criteria of ON and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to promote a healthy relationship with food. Full article