[Epidemiology of sexting]. / Sexting: epidemiologia del fenomeno.

AIM: Aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of sexting, defined as "the sharing of images or videos of sexually explicit content", identifying the age groups involved and assessing the possible cultural ties. The study also aimed at providing a clear picture of the phenomenon to educators and parents, an essential starting point for planning any effective educational program. METHODS: We performed a literature search on Medline (PubMed) database. In addition, the 2011 and 2012 surveys released by Eurispes and Telefono Azzurro were also consulted. "Google Trends" application provided additional details. RESULTS: In Italy teenagers from 12 to 18 years who received sexually oriented material increased from 10.2% in 2011 to 25.9% in 2012. In the USA 69.4% declared having received sexually oriented material, while 66.7% reported having sent it. In Italy, 1 out of 10 teenagers (age range 16-18) found himself in danger for having posted his nude photos online. CONCLUSION: The practice of sexting involves a wide age range with different legal implications. Teenagers practice sexting to attract attention and prove to be involved in a relationship. Sexting usually does not have any consequence but in rare cases, about 4%, malicious behavior such as sexting for money, to tease or take someone under threat has been reported. Moreover, during the past decade the cases of online harassment increased, especially involving young women. Only by closely monitoring the phenomenon and studying its deeper motivations it could be possible to plan effective educational programs, integrating sexting and the correct use of new media into a structured sexual education project.

Reinforcing good practice: Implementation of guidelines at hospital G. Pini.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) in orthopaedic surgery are a demanding complication for the patient and in terms of economics. Many guidelines (GLs) are available on antibiotic prophylaxis as an effective preventive measure; however, these GLs are often ignored in practice. A surveillance study of SSIs in arthroplasty, promoted by the Italian Study Group of Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Public Health (SitI), showed a high percentage of non-adherence to GLs on antibiotic prophylaxis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review the existing GLs, share them within the hospital and then monitor their implementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information and training are considered to be great tools for implementation and sharing of GLs, which leads to significant improvements in clinical practice. A multidisciplinary team comprising infectious disease specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, nurse epidemiologists and public health specialists was established at the G. Pini Hospital in Milan to revise GLs, and to organise educational events for their implementation, sharing and dissemination. A checklist was devised for monitoring purposes. RESULTS: GLs were presented to orthopaedic surgeons and nurse coordinators during two educational events. Meetings were organised in each unit to present the results of the surveillance of SSIs in arthroplasty and to discuss the reasons why the prophylaxis regimens adopted were not consistent with GLs. It was emphasised that the most important issue, on which there is consensus in the scientific literature, was related to the duration of prophylaxis beyond 24h. The review process for GLs was presented and pocket-sized GLs were given to surgeons. The importance of documenting on medical record any deviations from the GLs was emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: Any changes in behaviour in clinical practice must be monitored and evaluated regularly. The monitoring of GLs in terms of correct choice of drug, timing of administration and duration of prophylaxis is made using a special checklist on a representative sample of medical records.