title: Susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination adherence among healthcare workers in Italy: A cross-sectional survey at a regional acute-care university hospital and a systematic review.
abstract: Healthcare Workers (HCWs) have an increased risk both to acquire and to spread vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) both to their colleagues and, especially, to vulnerable patients. The prevention of occupational hazards among HCWs is based on proper adoption of the standard and additional precautions, immunizations, and secondary preventive measures, such as post-exposure prophylaxis. Moreover, HCWs are often referred to as the most trusted source of vaccine-related information for their patients. In the present article, we report the findings of a cross-sectional study investigating the compliance to vaccinations among HCWs employed at the Obstetric Unit of a regional acute-care University Hospital in Northern Italy. Furthermore, a systematic review of the literature for some VPDs (i.e., HBV, measles, rubella, varicella and influenza) was performed, over a 17-year period, in order to update the socio-demographic and professional characteristics, the susceptibility status and the vaccination rates among HCWs in Italy.
authors.affiliation: a Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST and Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics , Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Leone Roberti Maggiore
authors.affiliation: a Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST and Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics , Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scala
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Postgraduate School in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toletone
authors.affiliation: c Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Debarbieri
authors.affiliation: c Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perria
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Postgraduate School in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Postgraduate School in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.affiliation: d Department of Health Sciences , Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Postgraduate School in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Postgraduate School in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Durando
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006282:Health Personnel; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014611:Vaccination
keywords: adherence; healthcare surveillance program; healthcare workers; hepatitis B virus; influenza; measles; rubella; vaccination rates; vaccines; varicella