Resumo Introdução A insuficiência venosa crônica impacta a vida de muitas pessoas, constituindo-se, assim, como um problema de saúde pública. Conhecer o padrão de drenagem do refluxo das varizes associadas à veia safena incompetente é fundamental para definir a melhor programação terapêutica. Objetivos Determinar os padrões de drenagem do refluxo de varizes originadas da veia safena magna incompetente, a prevalência de veias perfurantes e a relação com os sintomas. Métodos Foram analisados 55 registros ultrassonográficos de pacientes com refluxo da veia safena magna para determinar padrões de drenagem do refluxo dessa veia, pontos de refluxo das varizes, localização e diâmetro das perfurantes de drenagem e graduação dos sintomas. Resultados O principal padrão de refluxo encontrado foi originado da junção safenofemoral com comprometimento proximal da veia safena magna. Em 64% dos pacientes, o refluxo das varizes drenou para veias perfurantes - 4% drenavam para a própria veia safena magna; em outros 4%, a drenagem era para a veia safena parva; e, em 29%, a drenavam destinava-se para varizes tronculares em que não se identificou comunicação direta com o sistema venoso profundo. Não foi observada associação dos sintomas com os padrões de drenagem do refluxo ou diâmetro das perfurantes. Conclusão Para essa amostra, as veias perfurantes foram responsáveis pelo escoamento do fluxo oriundo das varizes em 64% dos casos. O diâmetro das veias perfurantes e o padrão de refluxo da veia safena não estiveram associados à gravidade dos sintomas.

Abstract Background Chronic venous insufficiency affects the lives of many people and therefore constitutes a public health problem. Knowledge of the drainage patterns of reflux from varicose veins secondary to incompetent saphenous veins is essential to define the best therapeutic management. Objectives To determine the reflux drainage patterns from varicose veins originating in incompetent GSV, the prevalence of perforating veins (PV), and their relationships with symptoms. Methods 55 ultrasound reports were analyzed to determine the drainage patterns of reflux from the GSV, location and diameter of PV drainage, and staging of symptoms. Results In 64% of the sample, reflux from varicose veins drained to PVs, in 4% reflux drained to the GSV itself, in another 4% drainage was to the small saphenous vein, and in 29% drainage was to varicose trunk veins in which no direct communication with the deep system could be identified. No associations were observed between symptoms and reflux drainage patterns or PV diameters. Conclusions For this sample, PVs were responsible for draining flow from varicose veins in 64% of cases. Neither PV diameters nor GSV reflux patterns were associated with severity of symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Risky sexual behaviours have been recognized as a threat for sexual and reproductive health. AIM: This article shows the results of the "Sportello Salute Giovani" project ("Youth Health Information Desk") in relation to determining how a large sample of university students in Italy cope with preconception health, especially in the domains of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), fertility and vaccination preventable disease. METHODS: Twentythree questions of the "Sportello Salute Giovani" survey about sexual behaviour and reproductive health were analysed. Besides, results were stratified for sex, age class and socio-economic status. RESULTS: 19.7% of students have had first sexual intercourse before age 15. 21.8% of female students used emergency contraception. 66.4% of the 74.0% sexual active students reported using contraceptives, but about 32% of them used methods ineffective against STIs. A general low coverage for rubella, measles and mumps vaccination was revealed. 63.7% of men and 30.9% of woman never had urologic or gynaecological examinations. DISCUSSION: Overall, young adults in Italy are not still enough sensitized on fertility and preconception care. High schools and universities should increase awareness towards preservation of male and female fertility and preconception care.

INTRODUCTION: This article describes methodological issues of the "Sportello Salute Giovani" project ("Youth Health Information Desk"), a multicenter study aimed at assessing the health status and attitudes and behaviours of university students in Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The questionnaire used to carry out the study was adapted from the Italian health behaviours in school-aged children (HBSC) project and consisted of 93 items addressing: demographics; nutritional habits and status; physical activity; lifestyles; reproductive and preconception health; health and satisfaction of life; attitudes and behaviours toward academic study and new technologies. The questionnaire was administered to a pool of 12 000 students from 18 to 30 years of age who voluntary decided to participate during classes held at different Italian faculties or at the three "Sportello Salute Giovani" centers which were established in the three sites of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome). RESULTS: The final study sample was composed by 8516 university students. The mean age of responders was 22.2 (Standard Deviation 2.0) and 5702 (67.0%) were females. According to the distribution in age classes, 3601 (43.3%) belonged to the 18-21 one, 3796 (44.5%) to the 22-24 class and 1019 (12.2%) to the 25-30 class. With respect to socio-economic status, data were available for 8410 responders and showed that 50.3% of students belonged to the middle class. DISCUSSION: The project took into consideration a large number of individuals from different regions of the country and therefore may be considered representative of the general population of Italian university students. Furthermore, it is the first to address, at the same time, several issues, in particular attitudes and behaviours toward health, in Italian university students. CONCLUSION: The analysis of data from such a large sample of university students sets the basis for identifying the most appropriate interventions in order to address the specific needs of this population.

AIMS: The aims of the study were to describe the epidemiology of home injuries (HI) among Italian students' mothers and to identify the possible predictors of having HI. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was used in several Italian schools. In order to identify predictors of having HI, a multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: In our sample (3,610 women), the prevalence of HI was 18%; 6.2% of the interviewed had a severe HI. The multivariate analyses showed that increasing age, to spend more than 13 hours a day at home and to be housewife are risk factors for having HI. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a high prevalence of HI, highlighting an urgent need for undertaking interventions to develop an adequate culture of safety and prevention.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and opinions of Italian general practitioners about the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions and physicians' attitudes in addressing tobacco-related issues. METHODS: The survey was carried out through a questionnaire administered to general practitioners (GPs) attending a medical refresher course. 133 Italian GPs participated in the study with a mean age of 51.4 years (SD = 6.2). RESULTS: The GPs had good knowledge about the predictors of smoking onset, pharmacotherapies for tobacco cessation and the clinical guidelines recommendations. Wrong answers were encountered for the prevalence of smokers in Italy, the Fagerstrom Test for nicotine dependence and minimal advice. Females were more subjected to higher knowledge about tobacco, and at lower risk to be a smoker/ex smoker. Furthermore, physicians > 50 years old living in northern Italy had higher knowledge score. CONCLUSIONS: Physician education on tobacco counseling is associated to increased comfort and practice in advising patients who smoke. Tobacco cessation training might increase the success rate of helping patients to quit smoking.

Introduction: Research provides the important evidence base for public health practice. We sought to compare the current support for public health research within European countries. Methods: Within a collaborative study SPHERE (Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe), we developed an e-mail questionnaire and sent it to 93 representatives of national member associations of the European Public Health Association. We compared the answers with reference to tree macro-areas: Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe. Results: We gained responses for 22 of 39 European countries (56% country response rate). Current priorities at national level were: health service and patient safety for Northern Europe; infectious disease, health service and cardiovascular disease for Southern Europe; and food safety and nutrition, environmental and occupational health for Eastern Europe. Respondents gave fewer priorities for international research. In the North Europe the priorities empathized were health promotion, prevention and education (26.3%) together the injuries and alcohol habits (26.3%). Conclusion: Support for public-health research differs across Europe, and barriers to undertaking better research include structures and sufficient personnel. National public health associations and public authorities should cooperate in order to find effective answers to common problems.

Introducción: La investigación aporta la salud pública la importante base de la evidencia científica. Nuestro objetivo fue comparar el actual apoyo de investigación en salud pública en los países europeos. Métodos: En el marco del estudio colaborativo SPHERE (Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe) se desarrolló un cuestionario vía correo electrónico que fue enviado a 93 representantes de las asociaciones nacionales miembros de la Asociación Europea de Salud Pública. Se compararon las respuestas en tres macroáreas: norte, sur y este de Europa. Resultados: Se obtuvo respuesta de 23 de los 39 países europeos (tasa de respuesta por países: 56%). Las prioridades nacionales actuales fueron: servicios de salud y seguridad del paciente en el norte de Europa; enfermedades infecciosas, servicios de salud y enfermedad cardiovascular en el sur de Europa; y seguridad alimentaria y nutrición, salud medioambiental y ocupacional en los países del este de Europa. Los encuestados dieron menos prioridad a la investigación internacional. En el norte, las prioridades enfatizadas fueron la promoción de la salud, la prevención y la educación (26,3%), junto con los accidentes y los hábitos alcohólicos (26,3%). Conclusión: El apoyo para la investigación en salud pública difiere en los países europeos, y el no disponer de unas buenas infraestructuras y de personal suficiente fueron barreras para llevar a cabo mejor investigación. Las asociaciones de salud pública nacionales y las autoridades sanitarias deberían cooperar para encontrar respuestas efectivas a problemas comunes.

Introduction: Research provides the important evidence base for public health practice. We sought to compare the current support for public health research within European countries. Methods: Within a collaborative study SPHERE (Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe), we developed an e-mail questionnaire and sent it to 93 representatives of national member associations of the European Public Health Association. We compared the answers with reference to tree macro-areas: Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe. Results: We gained responses for 22 of 39 European countries (56% country response rate). Current priorities at national level were: health service and patient safety for Northern Europe; infectious disease, health service and cardiovascular disease for Southern Europe; and food safety and nutrition, environmental and occupational health for Eastern Europe. Respondents gave fewer priorities for international research. In the North Europe the priorities empathized were health promotion, prevention and education (26.3%) together the injuries and alcohol habits (26.3%). Conclusion: Support for public-health research differs across Europe, and barriers to undertaking better research include structures and sufficient personnel. National public health associations and public authorities should cooperate in order to find effective answers to common problems.

Introducción: La investigación aporta la salud pública la importante base de la evidencia científica. Nuestro objetivo fue comparar el actual apoyo de investigación en salud pública en los países europeos. Métodos: En el marco del estudio colaborativo SPHERE (Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe) se desarrolló un cuestionario vía correo electrónico que fue enviado a 93 representantes de las asociaciones nacionales miembros de la Asociación Europea de Salud Pública. Se compararon las respuestas en tres macroáreas: norte, sur y este de Europa. Resultados: Se obtuvo respuesta de 23 de los 39 países europeos (tasa de respuesta por países: 56%). Las prioridades nacionales actuales fueron: servicios de salud y seguridad del paciente en el norte de Europa; enfermedades infecciosas, servicios de salud y enfermedad cardiovascular en el sur de Europa; y seguridad alimentaria y nutrición, salud medioambiental y ocupacional en los países del este de Europa. Los encuestados dieron menos prioridad a la investigación internacional. En el norte, las prioridades enfatizadas fueron la promoción de la salud, la prevención y la educación (26,3%), junto con los accidentes y los hábitos alcohólicos (26,3%). Conclusión: El apoyo para la investigación en salud pública difiere en los países europeos, y el no disponer de unas buenas infraestructuras y de personal suficiente fueron barreras para llevar a cabo mejor investigación. Las asociaciones de salud pública nacionales y las autoridades sanitarias deberían cooperar para encontrar respuestas efectivas a problemas comunes.