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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, linked to several types of lesions. HPV, specifically HPV 16, accounts for most of anal cancer cases. In this study, we evaluated the proportion of samples tested positive for HPV and characterized genotypes distribution in anal specimens collected from individuals at risk of anal HPV infection attending from 2018 to 2022 a large Infectious Diseases Department in Italy. The presence of HPV DNA was investigated through a commercial kit detecting 12 HR‐HPV, 8 probable/possible HR‐HPV, and 8 LR‐HPV genotypes. Among 1514 samples, 84% (1266/1514) resulted positive for any type of HPV. The prevalence of high‐risk HPV types remained high during all the years of the study period, from 2018 to 2022, ranging from 65% to 73%. Most of HR‐HPV, LR‐HPV and HPV 16 positive samples were collected from men >45 years. HPV 16 was also the most frequent type in men and women. We did not observe significant variations between years in detection of HR‐HPV, instead of LR‐HPV, that significantly decreased. In conclusion, the high prevalence of oncogenic HPV genotypes underlines the necessity of clear anal HPV screening guidelines and, along with frequent HR‐HPV coinfections, reinforces the urge to intensify the anti‐HPV vaccination campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of addressing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men in order to eliminate cervical cancer. The authors highlight the role of HPV transmission from men to women and emphasize the need to extend HPV vaccination programs to rural areas. They also mention that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and can lead to various HPV-related diseases in both men and women. The article calls for increased HPV vaccination coverage among men, as well as comprehensive education and awareness campaigns to destigmatize HPV and promote prevention and early detection strategies. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has induced significant impairments, including sleep disturbances. The present study aimed to explore the impact of fear in relation to stress on sleep disorders among Italian adults and older participants in the second phase of the EPICOVID19 web‐based survey (January‐February 2021). Sleep disturbances during the pandemic were evaluated using the Jenkins Sleep Scale, perceived stress through the 10‐item Perceived Stress Scale and fear of contagion and about economic and job situation with four ad hoc items. The strength of the pathways between stress, sleep disturbances and fear was explored using structural equation modelling, hypothesising that stress was related to sleep disturbances and that fear was associated with both stress and sleep problems. Out of 41,473 participants (74.7% women; mean age 49.7 ± 13.1 years), 8.1% reported sleep disturbances and were more frequently women, employed in a work category at risk of infection or unemployed, and showed higher deprivation scores. Considering an a priori hypotheses model defining sleep and stress scores as endogenous variables and fear as an exogenous variable, we found that fear was associated with sleep problems and stress, and stress was associated with sleep problems; almost half of the total impact of fear on sleep quality was mediated by stress. The impact of stress on sleep quality was more evident in the younger age group, among individuals with a lower socioeconomic status and healthcare workers. Fear related to COVID‐19 seem to be associated with sleep disturbances directly and indirectly through stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]