/library/oar/handle/123456789/39178 2025-11-11T19:43:12Z 2025-11-11T19:43:12Z Scerri, Lawrence Lateo, Stephanie /library/oar/handle/123456789/832 2020-05-22T13:07:13Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Sun awareness and sun protection among persons attending dermatology clinics in Malta Authors: Scerri, Lawrence; Lateo, Stephanie Abstract: On a global level, public awareness of the harmful effects of the sun on the skin, namely skin cancer and photo ageing, has gradually increased largely as a result of ongoing public educational campaigns. In order to assess the current level of knowledge of sun-related skin damage, and to evaluate sun protection habits among Maltese persons (aged 16-50 years) attending dermatology clinics in 3 local hospitals, we undertook a questionnaire survey. A total of 333 valid completed questionnaires were available for evaluation. The vast majority of respondents were aware that exposure to the sun causes skin cancer (93%) and skin ageing (85%). In addition, 69% of the respondents knew that skin cancer can kill. Overall however, this high level of sun awareness is not being translated into safe practice. Occupational sun exposure is substantially greater in men. Notwithstanding this trend men use sunscreens far less than women when out in the sun both at work and during leisure. Pursuing outdoor leisure activities including going to the beach during hours of peak sunshine in spring and summer is popular. The general level of sun protection during leisure is unacceptably low. The media are considered to be by far the most influential source of information on the subject of the sun and the skin. The results of this survey can be used to guide future sun awareness campaigns to focus on issues and population subgroups that need most emphasis.

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z Borg, Michael Angelo Portelli, Alfred V. /library/oar/handle/123456789/822 2020-07-17T09:56:33Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A in Maltese adults Authors: Borg, Michael Angelo; Portelli, Alfred V. Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) within the adult population of Malta. Serum from blood coincidentally taken for non-acute investigations in patients aged 20 - 85 visiting St. Luke’s Hospital over a three month period in 1996 (n = 320) was retrieved and tested for anti-HAV antibodies by Enzyme Immunoassay. The results obtained from these tests showed seroprevalence levels of anti-HAV antibody. Maltese adults fall into a pattern normally associated with low to intermediate prevalence countries.

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z Sammut, Mario R. /library/oar/handle/123456789/632 2021-03-24T08:20:54Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: It’s time we made smoking history! Tobacco control in Malta : the present and the future Authors: Sammut, Mario R. Abstract: Tobacco products have no safe level of consumption. They are the only legal consumer products that cause ill health and premature death when used exactly as the manufacturer intends. Unless concerted action is taken quickly, 250 million of today’s children will die prematurely from an avoidable cause -tobacco use. The above declarations are not the author’s, but statements of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This article is a brief overview of tobacco control in Malta regarding the present situation and plans for the future, and is based on the following WHO Ten-Point Programme for Successful Tobacco Control.

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z Cauchi, Maurice N. /library/oar/handle/123456789/591 2020-07-01T10:33:10Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bioethics bonanza Authors: Cauchi, Maurice N. Abstract: Over the past couple of years, the Bioethics Consultative Committee has been active in promoting an understanding of bioethical issues within the medical profession, as well as more generally among the paramedical, and indeed the lay public. As part of this programme, a conferences was held on three consecutive evenings in November 1999 and dealt with three different topics, namely, Patient Rights, Reproductive Technology and Transplantation.

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z