Walter Mazzucco
Biographic Data
| ID | 313062 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Walter Mazzucco |
| GIVEN NAMES | Walter |
| FAMILY NAME | Mazzucco |
| SIGNATURE | MAZZUCCO W |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Palermo |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5090-1366 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
An Explainable Machine Learning Approach to Predict Suicidal Thoughts in University Students
The increasing prevalence of suicidal ideation among university students, especially those enrolled in medical and healthcare courses, necessitates innovative approaches for early detection and prevention. The southern part of Italy presents a distinct cultural, social, and economic context and is under‐represented in research. This study leverages the capabilities of machine learning methods and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to addre…
Prevención Primaria en Cáncer De Mama Mediante La Aplicación/Web Brcapp-Elisah
Prevalence of smoking habits, attitudes and knowledge on counteractive strategies among a sample of healthcare employees
Introduction: Tobacco use is responsible for over 7 million deaths annually, making smoking the leading cause of preventable mortality globally. Over the last two decades in Italy, the prevalence of smoking among physicians has consistently decreased, while it remains higher and is gradually decreasing among non-physician healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Prevalence of smoking habits, attitudes, and knowledge on cou…
About cancer screenings and saving lives
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials conducted by Bretthauer et al. to evaluate the advantage of cancer screening, recently published by Jama Internal Medicine, concluded that “common cancer screenings do not save lives with the possible exception of sigmoidoscopy screening” (1). The Authors derive their conclusion from estimates of lifetime gained with screening by “comparing all-cause mortality in people who underwent screening with th…
Detection of influenza virus in urban wastewater during the season 2022/2023 in Sicily, Italy
Introduction: Seasonal influenza generally represents an underestimated public health problem with significant socioeconomic implications. Monitoring and detecting influenza epidemics are important tasks that require integrated strategies. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an emerging field that uses wastewater data to monitor the spread of disease and assess the health of a community. It can represent an integrative surveillance tool for be…
Efficacy of polygenic risk scores and digital technologies for Innovative personalized cardiovascular disease PREVention in high-risk adults
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches for primary prevention. Personalized prevention, based on genetic risk scores (PRS) and digital technologies, holds promise in revolutionizing CVD preventive strategies. However, the clinical efficacy of these interventions requires further investigation. This study presents the protocol of the INNOPREV randomized controlled …
Sars-CoV-2 genomic surveillance of migrants arriving to Europe through the Mediterranean routes
Background: The implementation genomic-based surveillance on emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants in low-income countries, which have inadequate molecular and sequencing capabilities and limited vaccine storage, represents a challenge for public health. To date, there is little evidence on molecular investigations of SARS-CoV-2 variants in areas where they might emerge. We report the findings of an experi…
Retaining Healing Hands
Healthcare organizations worldwide face challenges in retaining their healthcare workforce, with individual and organizational factors influencing their intentions to leave. This study conducted eight online co-creation workshops and four Delphi sessions to gain qualitative and in-depth insights into job retention interventions, involving healthcare workers, hospital managers, and policymakers. A thematic analysis was conducted, resulting in mult…
Knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in individuals practicing regular amatorial physical activity
Introduction: Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a universal model of nutrition that prevents several metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. Main objective of the present study was to analyze adherence and knowledge regarding MD principles in a sample of individuals practicing amatorial sports from the Metropolitan Area of Palermo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 Sports Centers, between October 2020 and September 2021, …
An Epidemiological Study to Investigate Links between Atmospheric Pollution from Farming and Sars-CoV-2 Mortality
Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. We hypothesized that long-term exposure to farming-related air pollutants might predispose to an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. To test this hypothesis, we performed an ecological study of five Italian Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Sicily), linking all-cause mortality by province (administrative e…
Could a Behavioral Model Explain Adherence to Second-Level Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer Screening? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study of the Palermo Province Population
According to Italian Essential Levels of Assistance (ELA), a colonoscopy is strongly recommended after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) due to its effectiveness in early colorectal cancer detection. Despite the evidence, the Palermo province population (Italy), after a positive FOBT, have a lower colonoscopy adherence compared to Italian standards. This cross-sectional study analyzed patients' perceptions of colonoscopy procedures to und…
Sars-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Professionals and General Population During “First Wave” of Covid-19 Pandemic
On December 31, 2019, an outbreak of lower respiratory infections was documented in Wuhan caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the beginning, SARS-CoV-2 has caused many infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Aims of this study were: a. to compare the distribution among the HCWs and the general population of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Western Sicily and Italy; b. to describe the characteris…
Genomic Analysis and Lineage Identification of Sars-CoV-2 Strains in Migrants Accessing Europe Through the Libyan Route
Many African countries, representing the origin of the majority of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants, toward regions bordering on the Mediterranean area, are experiencing sustained local transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Sicily is one of the main entry gates of migrants crossing into Europe. We conducted a pilot study, based on the full-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated from mi…
The Economic Impact of Rectal Cancer
Costs of cancer care are increasing worldwide, and sustainability of cancer burden is critical. In this study, the economic impact of rectal cancer on the Italian healthcare system, measured as public healthcare expenditure related to investigation and treatment of rectal cancer patients is estimated. A cross-sectional cohort of 9358 rectal cancer patients is linked, on an individual basis, to claims associated to rectal cancer diagnosis and trea…
Proposal for an Alliance Between Healthcare and Legal Area Professionals for Shared Public Health and Preventive Strategies in Italy and Europe
Following the implementation of the new Italian legislation on responsibility of healthcare workers, a multi-professional framework, involving representatives of the Italian public health professionals and legal professionals expert in the field, drafted a proposal of the actionable recommendations to be implemented in the management of civil and penal disputes arising from the practice of public health interventions. In order to prevent legal di…
The Management of Health Hazards Related to Municipal Solid Waste on Fire in Europe
Landfilling should be the last option in an integrated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management approach. In the European Union (EU), the policy framework to protect the environment and the public health against the impact of health hazards related to urban solid waste management has been consistently implemented in recent decades. A growing interest in the negative impact of fires in waste landfills on the environment and people's health was repor…
Night-Time Shift Work and Related Stress Responses
This study indicates that cortisol levels and blood pressure are sensitive markers of biological responses to severe work stress. Shift-change consequences may occur at the end of the night shift when there is a significant increase in the cortisol level and a significant variation in cardiovascular parameters
Lifestyle Medicine and Psychological Well-Being toward Health Promotion
(1) Aim: To assess the attitude toward Lifestyle Medicine and healthy behaviours among students in the healthcare area and to demonstrate its association to psychological well-being; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study is conducted among 508 undergraduates of the University of Palermo (140 (27.6%) in the healthcare area and 368 (72.4%) in the non-healthcare area), during the academic year 2018-2019. Psychological well-being is measured through t…
Prevalence and Predictors of Malaria in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients in Beira, Mozambique
Co-infection between malaria and HIV has major public health implications. The aims of this study were to assess the malaria prevalence and to identify predictors of positivity to malaria Test in HIV positive patients admitted to the health center São Lucas of Beira, Mozambique. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed from January 2016 to December 2016. Overall, 701 adult HIV patients were enrolled, positivity to malaria test was foun…
The At Risk Child Clinic (ARCC)
The concept of “children at risk” changes worldwide according to each specific context. Africa has a large burden of overall risk factors related to childhood health and development, most of which are of an infective or social origin. The aim of this study was to report and analyze the volumes of activities of fifteen At Risk Child Clinics (ARCCs) within the Beira District (Mozambique) over a 3 year-period in order to define the health profile of…
Childhood and Adolescence Cancers in the Palermo Province (Southern Italy)
Italy has one of the highest paediatric cancer incidence rates in Europe. We compared cancer incidence and survival rates in children (0−14 years) and adolescents (15−19 years) residing in Palermo Province (PP) with statistics derived from Italian and European surveillance systems. We included all incident cancer cases, malignant tumours and non-malignant neoplasm of central nervous system (benign and uncertain whether malignant or benign), detec…
Pathways of care for HIV infected children in Beira, Mozambique
Despite several limitations and controversial results on nutrition assessment and CD4 count at the initiation of ART reported after the intervention, it could be assumed that TS alone may play a role in the improvement of the global effectiveness of care for HIV infected children only if integrated into a wider range of public health measures
A retrospective follow up study on maternal age and infant mortality in two Sicilian districts
The association between advanced maternal age and infant deaths in the Messina district was due in part to the excess of newborns from advanced age mothers, but also to increased risk of death among such newborns. The significant interaction between district of residence and maternal age indicated that the IMR excess in the Messina district cannot be explained by disproportionately high live birth rates among older mothers and suggested the hypot…
No prominent works on this page.
A retrospective follow up study on maternal age and infant mortality in two Sicilian districts
The association between advanced maternal age and infant deaths in the Messina district was due in part to the excess of newborns from advanced age mothers, but also to increased risk of death among such newborns. The significant interaction between district of residence and maternal age indicated that the IMR excess in the Messina district cannot be explained by disproportionately high live birth rates among older mothers and suggested the hypot…
Prevalence and Predictors of Malaria in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients in Beira, Mozambique
Co-infection between malaria and HIV has major public health implications. The aims of this study were to assess the malaria prevalence and to identify predictors of positivity to malaria Test in HIV positive patients admitted to the health center São Lucas of Beira, Mozambique. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed from January 2016 to December 2016. Overall, 701 adult HIV patients were enrolled, positivity to malaria test was foun…
The At Risk Child Clinic (ARCC)
The concept of “children at risk” changes worldwide according to each specific context. Africa has a large burden of overall risk factors related to childhood health and development, most of which are of an infective or social origin. The aim of this study was to report and analyze the volumes of activities of fifteen At Risk Child Clinics (ARCCs) within the Beira District (Mozambique) over a 3 year-period in order to define the health profile of…
Childhood and Adolescence Cancers in the Palermo Province (Southern Italy)
Italy has one of the highest paediatric cancer incidence rates in Europe. We compared cancer incidence and survival rates in children (0−14 years) and adolescents (15−19 years) residing in Palermo Province (PP) with statistics derived from Italian and European surveillance systems. We included all incident cancer cases, malignant tumours and non-malignant neoplasm of central nervous system (benign and uncertain whether malignant or benign), detec…
Pathways of care for HIV infected children in Beira, Mozambique
Despite several limitations and controversial results on nutrition assessment and CD4 count at the initiation of ART reported after the intervention, it could be assumed that TS alone may play a role in the improvement of the global effectiveness of care for HIV infected children only if integrated into a wider range of public health measures
Proposal for an Alliance Between Healthcare and Legal Area Professionals for Shared Public Health and Preventive Strategies in Italy and Europe
Following the implementation of the new Italian legislation on responsibility of healthcare workers, a multi-professional framework, involving representatives of the Italian public health professionals and legal professionals expert in the field, drafted a proposal of the actionable recommendations to be implemented in the management of civil and penal disputes arising from the practice of public health interventions. In order to prevent legal di…
The Management of Health Hazards Related to Municipal Solid Waste on Fire in Europe
Landfilling should be the last option in an integrated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management approach. In the European Union (EU), the policy framework to protect the environment and the public health against the impact of health hazards related to urban solid waste management has been consistently implemented in recent decades. A growing interest in the negative impact of fires in waste landfills on the environment and people's health was repor…
Night-Time Shift Work and Related Stress Responses
This study indicates that cortisol levels and blood pressure are sensitive markers of biological responses to severe work stress. Shift-change consequences may occur at the end of the night shift when there is a significant increase in the cortisol level and a significant variation in cardiovascular parameters
Lifestyle Medicine and Psychological Well-Being toward Health Promotion
(1) Aim: To assess the attitude toward Lifestyle Medicine and healthy behaviours among students in the healthcare area and to demonstrate its association to psychological well-being; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study is conducted among 508 undergraduates of the University of Palermo (140 (27.6%) in the healthcare area and 368 (72.4%) in the non-healthcare area), during the academic year 2018-2019. Psychological well-being is measured through t…
Sars-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Professionals and General Population During “First Wave” of Covid-19 Pandemic
On December 31, 2019, an outbreak of lower respiratory infections was documented in Wuhan caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the beginning, SARS-CoV-2 has caused many infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Aims of this study were: a. to compare the distribution among the HCWs and the general population of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Western Sicily and Italy; b. to describe the characteris…
Genomic Analysis and Lineage Identification of Sars-CoV-2 Strains in Migrants Accessing Europe Through the Libyan Route
Many African countries, representing the origin of the majority of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants, toward regions bordering on the Mediterranean area, are experiencing sustained local transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Sicily is one of the main entry gates of migrants crossing into Europe. We conducted a pilot study, based on the full-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated from mi…
The Economic Impact of Rectal Cancer
Costs of cancer care are increasing worldwide, and sustainability of cancer burden is critical. In this study, the economic impact of rectal cancer on the Italian healthcare system, measured as public healthcare expenditure related to investigation and treatment of rectal cancer patients is estimated. A cross-sectional cohort of 9358 rectal cancer patients is linked, on an individual basis, to claims associated to rectal cancer diagnosis and trea…
An Epidemiological Study to Investigate Links between Atmospheric Pollution from Farming and Sars-CoV-2 Mortality
Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. We hypothesized that long-term exposure to farming-related air pollutants might predispose to an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. To test this hypothesis, we performed an ecological study of five Italian Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Sicily), linking all-cause mortality by province (administrative e…
Could a Behavioral Model Explain Adherence to Second-Level Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer Screening? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study of the Palermo Province Population
According to Italian Essential Levels of Assistance (ELA), a colonoscopy is strongly recommended after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) due to its effectiveness in early colorectal cancer detection. Despite the evidence, the Palermo province population (Italy), after a positive FOBT, have a lower colonoscopy adherence compared to Italian standards. This cross-sectional study analyzed patients' perceptions of colonoscopy procedures to und…
Knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in individuals practicing regular amatorial physical activity
Introduction: Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a universal model of nutrition that prevents several metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. Main objective of the present study was to analyze adherence and knowledge regarding MD principles in a sample of individuals practicing amatorial sports from the Metropolitan Area of Palermo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 Sports Centers, between October 2020 and September 2021, …
Prevalence of smoking habits, attitudes and knowledge on counteractive strategies among a sample of healthcare employees
Introduction: Tobacco use is responsible for over 7 million deaths annually, making smoking the leading cause of preventable mortality globally. Over the last two decades in Italy, the prevalence of smoking among physicians has consistently decreased, while it remains higher and is gradually decreasing among non-physician healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Prevalence of smoking habits, attitudes, and knowledge on cou…
About cancer screenings and saving lives
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials conducted by Bretthauer et al. to evaluate the advantage of cancer screening, recently published by Jama Internal Medicine, concluded that “common cancer screenings do not save lives with the possible exception of sigmoidoscopy screening” (1). The Authors derive their conclusion from estimates of lifetime gained with screening by “comparing all-cause mortality in people who underwent screening with th…
Detection of influenza virus in urban wastewater during the season 2022/2023 in Sicily, Italy
Introduction: Seasonal influenza generally represents an underestimated public health problem with significant socioeconomic implications. Monitoring and detecting influenza epidemics are important tasks that require integrated strategies. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an emerging field that uses wastewater data to monitor the spread of disease and assess the health of a community. It can represent an integrative surveillance tool for be…
Efficacy of polygenic risk scores and digital technologies for Innovative personalized cardiovascular disease PREVention in high-risk adults
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches for primary prevention. Personalized prevention, based on genetic risk scores (PRS) and digital technologies, holds promise in revolutionizing CVD preventive strategies. However, the clinical efficacy of these interventions requires further investigation. This study presents the protocol of the INNOPREV randomized controlled …
Sars-CoV-2 genomic surveillance of migrants arriving to Europe through the Mediterranean routes
Background: The implementation genomic-based surveillance on emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants in low-income countries, which have inadequate molecular and sequencing capabilities and limited vaccine storage, represents a challenge for public health. To date, there is little evidence on molecular investigations of SARS-CoV-2 variants in areas where they might emerge. We report the findings of an experi…
Retaining Healing Hands
Healthcare organizations worldwide face challenges in retaining their healthcare workforce, with individual and organizational factors influencing their intentions to leave. This study conducted eight online co-creation workshops and four Delphi sessions to gain qualitative and in-depth insights into job retention interventions, involving healthcare workers, hospital managers, and policymakers. A thematic analysis was conducted, resulting in mult…
Prevención Primaria en Cáncer De Mama Mediante La Aplicación/Web Brcapp-Elisah
An Explainable Machine Learning Approach to Predict Suicidal Thoughts in University Students
The increasing prevalence of suicidal ideation among university students, especially those enrolled in medical and healthcare courses, necessitates innovative approaches for early detection and prevention. The southern part of Italy presents a distinct cultural, social, and economic context and is under‐represented in research. This study leverages the capabilities of machine learning methods and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to addre…
Medicine (21 works) · Environmental health (12 works) · Internal Medicine (10 works) · Population (10 works) · Public health (8 works) · Cross-sectional study (6 works) · Demography (6 works) · Family medicine (6 works) · Health care (6 works) · Nursing (6 works)