Volume 34, no. 6, June 2021. Playing safely: the microbiological control of toys containing aqueous media. Hepatitis A in Italy in the last five years: data from the surveillance of acute viral hepatitis SEIEVA 2015-2019. Sexually Transmitted Infections and sexual health: introduction to educational activities within the Italian school context. - ISS (EN)

Abstracts:

Playing safely: the microbiological control of toys containing aqueous media
In Europe, the safety of toys is established by the Directive 2009/48/EC, implemented in Italy by the Legislative Decree 54/2011. In the case of toys containing aqueous media, safety has also to be guaranteed by performing microbiological controls. The control and advisory activity carried out from 2016 to 2020 by the Italian National Institute of Health on this category of products showed that about 19% of the toys taken into consideration, among those marked in Italy, did not comply with the recommended microbiological standards. Therefore, the need to perform analytical controls on these products is confirmed, especially given the health risks associated with their possible misuse.

Hepatitis A in Italy in the last five years: data from the surveillance of acute viral hepatitis SEIEVA 2015-2019
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease spread all over the world in both sporadic and epidemic forms, associated with socioeconomic status and hygienic conditions. In Italy, in the last twenty years, there has been a general reduction of incidence with recurrent epidemic peaks. The article reports the 2015-2019 data of hepatitis A cases reported to the Italian National Institute of Health through the SEIEVA (Integrated Epidemiological System of Acute Viral Hepatitis) surveillance. The epidemic curve shows three periods with different numbers of monthly cases: pre-epidemic period (January 2015-July 2016), epidemic period (August 2016-December 2017) and post-epidemic period (January 2018-December 2019). The analysis of the epidemiological records of cases highlights weaknesses in the prevention of cases mostly linked to the vaccination of groups at risk and of those who have come into contact with people already infected. The study confirms the need for vaccination for travelers to endemic areas and for other groups at risk and for improved timeliness in prophylaxis of case contacts, especially if these have occurred in kindergarten or primary schools where the spread of infection is easier.

Sexually Transmitted Infections and sexual health: introduction to educational activities within the Italian school context
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are widely spread worldwide. Young people sometimes do not know about STIs and frequently they do not know who to contact or talk to. Sex education represents one of the most important means of promoting sexual health of youth and an essential component of the comprehensive strategy for HIV and STIs prevention in Europe. An analysis of the national and international documentary references and the educational activities implemented in the schools of the national territory was carried out within the framework of EduForIST project, funded by the Ministry of Health.