Background In the only Italian population-based epidemiologic study on Behçet’s disease (BD) carried out in a northern area, the Reggio Emilia district, the prevalence of the disease was 3.8 per 100.000 inhabitans. Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of Behçet’s disease (BD) in Basilicata (or Lucania), a Region of southern Italy. Methods Patients with BD living in Basilicata for at least 12 months prior to diagnosis were identified through the following sources: general practitioners, community-based specialists, San Carlo Hospital and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital specialists, the Basilicata centralized index and the Basilicata database for rare diseases. All identified patients were contacted by phone and were recalled to our outpatient clinic for re-evaluation. Patients were classified as having complete BD if they met the International Study Group (ISG) criteria for BD. Prevalence was established in July 2011. The prevalence rate was obtained by dividing the number of patients who had the disease by the number of individuals in the Basilicata (Lucania) population. Results By screening of a population of 597.768 subjects, 77 patients with a diagnosis of BD were identified and 60 of them (87.3%) were evaluated. Fifty-five (22 males and 33 females) out of these satisfied the ISG criteria and permitted us to obtain a prevalence rate of 9,2 cases per 100.000 inhabitans. Conclusions This cross-sectional population-based study suggests that BD is more frequent in the southern part than in the northern part of Italy and confirms that the prevalence of the disease increases in a north-to-south manner within the European continent. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background: The sucking habits of infants can be nutritive and non-nutritive sucking. Digit-sucking is normal in babies and young children, but sometimes it may persist into early childhood.   Objective: To determine the burden, knowledge and belief of mothers/caregivers concerning digit sucking among under-five children. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving children under the age of 5 years attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, was conducted. The mothers of selected children were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of non-nutritive digit sucking was 45.8%. While 68 (43.9%) of these children sucked their digits, 3 (1.9%) sucked pacifiers. The thumb and two digits were the preferred digits (52.9%). Sucking was done while awake in 36 (52.9%) children while 32 (47.1%) sucked whether awake or sleeping. Most (60.3%) mothers have the wrong perception of digit sucking and had attempted to discourage it. Conclusions: The prevalence of non-nutritive and digit sucking was high in the population studied. Sucking occurs while awake and asleep, both day and night. Most mothers have the wrong perception of digit sucking and had attempted its stoppage.