Background
Following the success of the first-ever National Public Health Symposium, the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine is embarking on the second edition of the Public Health Symposium.
This year it will be organised on 29th November 2019 at the Southern Auditorium at Mater Dei Hospital.
You can now register for the event at https://maphmphsymposium.eventbrite.com or through the Facebook Event
Detailed Programme
PDF Available here[211KB]
National Public Health Symposium
29th November 2019 – Southern Auditorium – Mater Dei Hospital
13:30-14:00 Registration and light refreshments
14:00-14:15 Opening Plenary
Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat – Chair of the Symposium Organising Committee
Dr Kenneth Grech – President Malta Association of Public Health Medicine
H. E. Dr George Vella – President of the Republic of Malta
14:15-14:45 Keynote Presentation – Prof. Stefania Boccia
Full Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine. Section of Hygiene, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Current and emerging biomedical and digital technologies have great potential to improve healthcare and underpin more efficient and sustainable health systems. These technologies and their applications advance are likely to play an integral role in shaping healthcare and the ways in which citizens manage and optimise their health. On the other hand, although they are creating new opportunities for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease on an ever more personalised basis, these new technologies bring the potential to broaden the gap between available resources and the healthcare requirements. Focusing on the current and forthcoming applications of the genomics technologies in healthcare, we will discuss the role of the health professionals in shaping the policies for a responsible integration of such technologies in healthcare.
14:45-15:45 Plenary
Moderator – Prof. Charmaine Gauci & Dr Denis Vella Baldacchino
Trend analysis in place of death over the past 20 years in Maltese residents – Tania Cardona – Abstract
Malta’s changing demographics – Projecting Malta’s future health system demands to 2030 – Maya Podesta – Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections testing, risk and needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malta: results from the 2017 European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) – Maria-Louise Borg – Abstract
The potential economic impact of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Malta – Kurt Sant – Abstract
Are commercial food products for infants and young children less than 36 months in Malta healthy? – Lucienne Pace – Abstract
Enhanced surveillance of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases in the Maltese Islands: Molecular species identification, insecticide resistance monitoring, and risk assessment for vector-borne infections – Tanya Melillo – Abstract
15:45- 16:00 Coffee Break
16:05- 17:05 – Parallel Sessions 1
TRACK 1 – Health Promotion
Moderator: Dr. Antonella Sammut & Dr. Marika Borg
Venue: C1 (opposite MDH chapel)
Awareness and Knowledge of the Maltese Public on Fluoride – Nicholas Bonnici
Are mothers in Malta taking Folic Acid preconceptionally? – Marika Borg
Mapping out Infant and Young children feeding practices in Malta – Mariella Borg Buontempo
The prevalence of reported allergies in State schools 2018-2019 – Jason Attard
Effectiveness of a 12-week, weekly exercise program – Johann Zarb
Brief interventions for smoking cessation: practices of health care professionals – Joseph Grech
TRACK 2 – Healthcare Services
Moderator: Dr. John Cachia & Dr. Stephanie Xuereb
Venue: C2 (opposite MDH chapel)
Opioid Use Disorder Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment versus those Not on Methadone Treatment: A Naturalistic Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Cognitive Performance – Kristian Sant
Critical Analysis of the Work Practices Surrounding Patient Appointment Scheduling in Mater Dei Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatients Clinic – Viktor Cassar
Establishing the Readiness of the Physiotherapy Profession for Non-Medical Prescribing – Nicholas Attard
The Cancer Patient’s Lived Experience of the Health System in Malta – Christina Galea Curmi
The knowledge and attitudes of persons who participate and do not participate in colorectal cancer screening: A comparative survey – Sylvia Ann Camilleri
Transgender Healthcare: At the intersection between human rights policy and health policy – Alexia Bezzina
TRACK 3 – Infectious Diseases Cases and Outbreaks
Moderator: Dr. Maria Borg & Dr. Tania Cardona
Venue: South Auditorium
An outbreak of Salmonella infantis linked to a Turkish establishment, July 2018, Malta – Graziella Rocco
Investigation of a recurring Norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship, Malta, August-September 2018 – Maria Borg
An increase in the number of Measles cases, in Malta, in 2019 – Graziella Rocco
The risk of malaria re-emergence in Southern Europe: cryptic Plasmodium falciparum malaria case in Malta in 2018 – Tanya Melillo
Two neonatal outbreaks of Bordetella pertussis in Malta, 2019 – Graziella Rocco
Trends of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Malta over 29 years (1990-2018) and the impact of screening newly arrived migrants to Malta – Tanya Melillo
17:05-17:25 Coffee Break
17:30-18:30 Parallel Sessions 2
TRACK 4 – Non-Communicable Diseases
Moderator: Dr. Daniel Cauchi & Mr. Joseph Grech
Venue: C1 (opposite MDH chapel)
Conducting a national representative cross-sectional study with limited resources – lessons learnt – Sarah Cuschieri
Food Innovation and Reformulation for a healthier Malta- A Legal Approach – Cherise Ellul
Adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern among University Students – Yasmine Treki
The Maltese epidemic – Type 2 diabetes mellitus – Sarah Cuschieri
Targeting childhood obesity in Malta – Marika Borg
The Maltese specific high-risk diabetes characteristics – Sarah Cuschieri
TRACK 5 – Digital Health
Moderator: Prof. Sandra Buttigieg & Dr. Jason Attard
Venue: C2 (opposite MDH chapel)
Analysing the impact of a digital intervention at the Infectious Diseases Control Unit over a 4-year period – Stefan Buttigieg
Investigating the Uptake of Artificial Intelligence in Malta’s public healthcare system; A Public Policy Analysis – Rebecca Degiorgio
Bridging the Digital Divide: how a low-tech intervention led to rapid myHealth uptake – Stefan Buttigieg – Abstract
Review of Female Health Apps in Maltese App Stores – Angelika Biernacka Buttigieg
TRACK 6 – Epidemiology & Infectious Diseases
Moderator: Dr Tanya Melillo & Dr Amanda Bugeja
Venue: South Auditorium
To Assess Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Medical Inpatients – Bernice Farrugia
Beyond the assumption; disabled women’s sexual health – Clare Azzopardi Lane
Should public health guidelines for migrant screening in the EU be revised? First detection of Hyalomma rufipes in a recently arrived migrant to Malta – Raquel Medialdea Carrera
A One Health response to the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance in Malta – Maya Podesta – Abstract
The Acquisition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the General Maltese Hospital, between January-April, 2016. – Graziella Rocco
18:35- 18:55 Closing Plenary
Moderator – Dr. Sascha Reiff
Panel: Dr. Denis Vella Baldacchino, Prof. Charmaine Gauci, Prof. Stefania Boccia, Dr. Kenneth Grech
18:55- 19:00 – Closure of Symposium
Dr. Kenneth Grech – President Malta Association of Public Health Medicine
Symposium Organising Committee: Dr. Natasha Azzopardi Muscat (Chair), Dr. Tanya Melillo Fenech, Dr. Sascha Reiff, Dr. Jason Attard, Dr. Stefan Buttigieg, Mr. Joseph Grech, Dr. Marika Borg, Dr. Tania Cardona
Scientific Committee: Dr. Tanya Melillo Fenech, Dr. John Cachia, Dr. Miriam Azzopardi, Dr. Jason Attard, Dr. Annalise Borg
Rapporteurs: Dr. Charmaine Zahra and Dr. Norman Galea
This symposium has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS). The presentations reflect the work and views only of the author/s, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
UPDATE: ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS NOW CLOSED – 11th October – Results will be issued
Abstract Timeline
- 1st August – Submissions Opened
- 7th September – Submission Closed
- 11th October – Issue of Results
Project Supporters
MAPHM is proud to state that we have worked hard to gain additional support to offer you a better experience and we’re proud to state that we’ve acquired support from the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations.
This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS)
DISCLAIMER
This project reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein