INTRODUCTION: Sex workers (SW) clients represent a bridge population for HIV transmission from high risk to low risk general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous telephone survey was carried out at the AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Helpline of National Institute of Health in Italy. The questionnaire was proposed on a voluntary basis to a sample of 119 subjects from helpline users. RESULTS: The 119 participants were all males, aged between 19 and 59 years and mostly accessed female prostitutes. Vaginal intercourses with SW were more frequently reported, followed by passive oral, active oral sex and active anal intercourses. Cumulatively, 86.6% and 84.6% of vaginal and anal intercourses were respectively reported as regularly protected by condom. DISCUSSION: The telephone interview allowed an eased access, a high response rate and a standardised evaluation of questions CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary a constant monitoring of the characteristics, behaviour, risk perception and testing of SW clients in Italian and other populations.

BACKGROUND: Clients of sex workers represent a relevant target for interventions aimed at the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Within prevention strategies, the AIDS and sexually transmitted infections helpline (Telefono Verde AIDS/ IST, TVA-IST) of National Institute of Health in Italy has provided, since 1987, specific information and counselling interventions. AIM: The present study reports data on anagraphical characteristics and behaviours of clients of sex workers, anonymously reported at TVA-IST in the period 1987-2010. DISCUSSION: Among 95 149 phone calls (14% of the total) considered 99.5% came from males, over 80% aged under 37 years and prevalently from Northern Italy. Among sexual behaviours, unprotected sexual intercourses were reported in the 26% of the calls. Subjects under 27 years reported a higher frequency of unprotected anal intercourse, while they used protection with oral and vaginal intercourses in a greater extent than older ones. Due to differential behaviours within clients of sex workers, specific informative strategies for this targeted population should adequately consider age-related differences.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible association between occurrence of soft tissue sarcomas in Verona (Italy) and residence near a steel foundry, whose emissions of dioxin-like compounds may be relevant. Exposure to total suspended particulate (TSP) emitted from the plant as estimated by ADMS-urban dispersion model was used as an indirect index of exposure to dioxin-like compounds. Verona municipality was divided in six subareas according to the decreasing levels of estimated TSP exposure, and soft tissue sarcomas cases were mapped according to residence at time of diagnosis. Standardized incidence ratios were computed. No statistically significant departures between observed and expected cases were detected as illustrated by trend-test results.

Lo scopo dello studio è stato di valutare la possibile associazione tra l'incidenza dei sarcomi dei tessuti molli a Verona (Italia) e la residenza in prossimità di una fonderia le cui emissioni di sostanze diossino-simili possono essere rilevanti. L'esposizione al particolato sospeso totale (TSP) emesso dalla fonderia, stimato secondo il modello di dispersione ADMS-urban, è stato usato come un indicatore indiretto dell'esposizione alle sostanze diossino-simili. Il comune di Verona è stato suddiviso in sei sottoaree secondo i livelli decrescenti di esposizione stimati tramite il TSP e i casi di sarcomi dei tessuti molli sono stati mappati secondo la residenza al momento della diagnosi. Sono stati stimati i tassi standardizzati di incidenza. Non è stato osservato uno scostamento significativo tra gli osservati e gli attesi come dimostrato dai risultati del trend-test.

In the present work, we outline basic health counselling skills, specifically, those for performing pre-test and post-test counselling for HIV infection. The ultimate goal is to propose that counselling be performed in facilities that carry out screening for anti-HIV antibodies, following standardised (and thus replicable) criteria, with consistent focus on the quality of the relationship between the healthcare professional and the individual undergoing testing and on the individual's specific needs.

Il presente lavoro intende delineare gli aspetti peculiari dell'applicazione delle competenze di base del counselling in ambito sanitario, con particolare riferimento all' intervento effettuato nel pre e post test HIV La finalità principale è quella di proporre l'applicazione dell'intervento di counselling nei Servizi dove si effettua lo screening per la ricerca degli anticorpi anti-HIV, secondo criteri standardizzati e, pertanto, replicabili, mantenendo costantemente l'attenzione alla qualità della relazione e alle specifiche esigenze del singolo individuo.