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Worldwide, nephrolithiasis is a disease with an increased frequency of presence and symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QoL) and the factors influencing it in patients who have undergone pigtail catheter placement. Α cross‐sectional study was implemented in 85 patients from the Urology Clinic/University General Hospital of Crete, Greece, recruited during November 2022 and January 2023. Patients' demographic and medical history profile were recorded and their QoL and state anxiety status assessed using the SF‐36 and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐S) scales based on multiple logistic regression analysis. The majority of patients were female (55.3%) and the mean age of all was 53.7 years (±11.5). QoL was moderate to high while 30.6% and 35.3% of patients presented high quality of Physical and Mental Components, respectively. For Anxiety, moderate mean scores were found while 62.4% presented high anxiety. Patients with low/moderate State Anxiety compared with their counterparts had better QoL in the SF‐36 subscales (p < 0.05). In the Physical Component, higher odds of high QoL appear to be found in females versus males (odds ratio, OR = 8.68, p = 0.008), in higher income categories (OR = 5.74, p < 0.001) and in patients with low/moderate anxiety (OR = 12.87, p < 0.001), while in the Mental Component higher odds were found for higher income categories (OR = 2.19, p = 0.018) and patients with low/moderate anxiety (OR = 7.20, p = 0.001). Better QoL in patients with nephrolithiasis and pigtail is associated with female gender, higher living standards and lower state anxiety, allowing more effective interventions by health professionals to alleviate patients' symptoms and empower them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may have inhibited the development of critical thinking and emotional intelligence of nursing students due to the transition from traditional to online learning environments. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the development of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the perceived learning environment of nursing students during the pandemic from their first to second year. Methods: This was a longitudinal study of 82 nursing students from 2 universities in Greece. We measured critical thinking disposition, emotional intelligence, and the students' perceptions of the learning environment in 2 phases, separated by a 10 month interval, before and during the pandemic. Results: Students had moderate-to-high critical thinking and emotional intelligence and perceived the learning environment as more positive than negative in both phases. However, there were no statistically significant changes between phases in critical thinking disposition (mean score 44.3 vs 45.1, p =.224) and emotional intelligence (mean score 5.05 vs 5.06, p =.950) between the 2 phases. Nevertheless, students rated the online learning environment (phase 2) higher than the traditional (mean score 137.8 vs 132.2, p =.005). Conclusions: Critical thinking and emotional intelligence did not change, but students favored the online learning environment over the traditional. These findings suggest that nurse educators persevered, adapted, and maintained the quality of the learning environment despite the pandemic. Moreover, the utilization of an online learning environment may have led to enhanced enjoyment and engagement for students, which could potentially result in improved learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a significant impact on the life of patients undergoing chronic periodic hemodialysis. It negatively affects their social, economic and family status, and particularly their psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of the quality of life (QoL) and psychological burden of patients undergoing hemodialysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 63 patients. Τhe majority were men (63.5%), and the mean age of the patients was 66.7 years (±12.9) with 61.9% aged 65–89 years. Data collection was performed in 2021 using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF™) research tools, and their relationships were assessed using parametric and non-parametric methods. Moderate to mild levels of Anxiety and Depression were found. Physical and Mental Composite Scores were mild to moderate, with the Mental Composite Score being significantly higher (p < 0.05). Anxiety and Depression were significantly correlated with lower QoL (p < 0.05), while a higher educational level was correlated with lower Depression Symptom Levels and higher QoL for Disease Symptoms, Disease Effects, Physical Functioning, Vitality and Overall Health (p < 0.05). A higher number of years of hemodialysis was correlated with lower levels of Anxiety and higher levels of Quality of Sleep (p < 0.05). Ease of Access to the Hemodialysis Unit was correlated with lower levels of Social Support (p < 0.05). The highest Mental Composite Scores were also correlated with a higher level of education, with patients living in urban areas, and with a higher monthly income (p < 0.05). Patients with moderate or severe levels of Anxiety and Depression had a lower QoL in the Physical and Mental Composite Scores, indicating their dependence on the appropriate medical, nursing and social environment in order to attain higher levels of well-being, leading to the improvement of patients' health. This study was not registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the association of critical thinking (CT) and emotional intelligence (EI) versus CT and learning environment (LE) in order to investigate which has the greatest influence EI or LE. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 s-year healthcare university students in two nursing and one medical schools from three universities in Greece, between October and December 2020. Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure, and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form were administered. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, with five steps, was used to compare the associations of CT and EI to CT and LE. Participants' mean age (years) was 20.9 (6.6 SD); 82.6% female; 86.8% studying nursing. Students mean scores were moderate to high for CT disposition (44.7 ± 4.68). The general characteristics (age, gender, and school) were not significantly associated with CT (p > 0.05). However, CT was positively associated with LE (UCB = 0.064 & p < 0.001) and EI (UCB = 1.522 & p < 0.001). Moreover, CT seems to be associated in a higher degree (R2 change adj = 0.036 & p < 0.001) with emotional intelligence (UCB = 1.522) than with learning environment (UCB = 0.064). Our findings suggest a different more optimal pathway for educators to improve the CT of their students through EI and not with LE as believed till now. By focusing on improving EI, educators may help their students become critical thinkers, who will provide better quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to investigate how parents of children, adolescents, and young adults with DM1 perceived quality of life and psychological burden during the lockdown period of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 110 parents in Greece in spring 2021. Perceived quality of life was measured using the Parent Diabetes Distress Scale, and psychological burden was measured using the Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory, and both were assessed with correlational analysis. Overall, 79.1% of the parents were females ,while the mean age of all was 44.4 years (±5.8). PDDS was found to be moderate (mean 2.42 ± 0.76): 63.6% of respondents had moderate/high distress. The highest mean score was for Teen Management Distress and the lowest for Healthcare Team (3.02 vs. 1.49, p < 0.001). STAI was found to be moderate to high, with a higher mean score for state versus trait anxiety (49.8 vs. 48.0, p = 0.006). Increased distress or poorer parents' quality of life was related with the highest number of hyperglycemic episodes (β = 0.25, p = 0.002), the fewest hypoglycemic episodes (β = −0.18, p = 0.024), and the highest parental trait anxiety (β = 0.04, p < 0.001). Parents were found with moderate-to-high distress and anxiety, and their correlation also shows that there is an urgent need for suitable education of parents on managing the disease to improve quality of life and eliminate health risks to all involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An individual's lack of social connections and social isolation is often associated with feelings of loneliness which is regarded as having a negative effect on health. This paper describes the development and assessment of a 10 item 'Personal Sociability and Connections Scale' (PeSCS) to measure individual's disposition and accompanying skills to seek out companionship and engage in interpersonal relations. Methods: The study was conducted at a rural primary care unit in Northern Greece. A total of 199 attenders were recruited over a 6-week period in 2020 and questionnaires completed. This informed the 10-items PeSCS that comprises Social, Behavioral, and Emotional components focusing on the expression of social comfort, willingness to share experiences, stories and concepts, and feelings of similarity at first contact. Reliability of the PeSC scale was assessed and the relationship with scale scores examined as an indicator of convergent validity. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of PeSC scale score with the characteristics of participants. Results: Assessment of reliability of PeSC scale produced a Cronbach's alpha of 0.809. The relationship between components and the total PeSCS scores identified significant correlations (p <.001). At a multivariate level, male gender was the sample characteristic with a significant association with scale levels (p <.05) and higher annual income with Social component (p <.05). Otherwise the distribution of sociability dispositions was similar across population groups. Conclusion: The 10-item PeSC scale forms a simple and quick to complete measure whose overall reliability was rated as 'meritorious'. The PeSC instrument may be a useful tool for assessing the causes and appropriate responses to the negative health effects of loneliness and social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders in the Mediterranean region, and is therefore considered a serious public health issue. In chronic conditions of this kind, survival and quality of life (QOL) of the patients are of the utmost importance and are influenced by psychological and social constraints. The current study aimed to examine various factors affecting the psychological burden, focusing on anxiety and depression levels, as well as the quality of life (QOL) of people suffering from thalassemia in Crete (Greece). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 in 119 patients suffering from thalassemia from three hospitals. Validated scales were used to assess the relative parameters using multivariate regression analysis. Results: The data sample comprised 56 men (47.1%) and 63 women (52.9%) with an overall mean age of 39.7 years (± 8.5). Most of the participants exhibited low levels of anxiety/depression and high quality of life. Moreover, quality of life was found to relate positively with health status (p < 0.001), but multivariate logistic regression revealed that every unit on the anxiety score significantly increases the odds ratio for a lower quality of life score (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.19–2.32) or a reverse relationship with health status (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94–1.00). Conclusion: Overall, the patients were found to have a fairly normal life, resembling the standards of the general population. They are highly aware of their quality of life and exhibit low levels of anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aims to examine the use of preventive and other health services among adults aged 50+ in eleven European countries. Methods: The data used were derived from 16,120 adults aged 50+ years participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004/05). Preventive Health Services Utilization score (PHSUs) and Health Care Services Utilization score (HCSUs) were assessed as a composite value from answers to 12 and 16 questions respectively, on a scale ranging from 0 to 100. Estimations were based on a complex study design. Results: Participants from Central European countries were found to have significantly higher mean PHSU and HCSU scores than their counterparts in Northern and Southern regions, (p < 0.05) and also exhibited a greater gap between the two scores (29.3, 95% CI: 28.6–30.1). Overall mean PHSU score was 39.9 (95% CI: 39.4–40.4) and mean HCSU score 12.4 (95% CI: 12.2–12.7). Women have a higher mean PHSUs and HCSUs (p < 0.001); as age increases, PHSUs falls and HCSUs rises (p < 0.001). Better educated participants appear to have higher mean PHSUs and HCSUs (p < 0.001). In addition, both of the above scores increase in the presence of chronic diseases (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Strong correlation is seen between comorbidity, increasing age, educational level, and retirement on the one hand, and increased use of health services on the other hand. The use of health services is a major issue with regard to public health policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multiple behavioral risk factors (MBRFs) related to lifestyle have been associated with non-communicable diseases, but there is limited evidence on their prevalence in undergraduate medical students and their association with academic performance. Methods: During 1989–2017, data from 1447 medical students of the University of Crete, Greece (mean age 21.8 ± 2.2 years), were analyzed. MBRFs assessed included smoking, high body weight, physical inactivity, risky alcohol consumption and low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Academic performance was based on the grades received in the mandatory Clinical Nutrition course and the overall medical degree (scale of 0–10). Results: Of the sample, 25.8% were smokers, 30.7% had high body weight, and 67.2% had low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Prevalence of having 'no MBRFs' and having 'multiple clustering' and '3+ factors' was 15.8% and 12.3%, respectively. Men had almost twice the prevalence of multiple clustering compared with women (16.5% vs. 8.4%, p < 0.001). Participants who had none compared with 3+ MBRFs had higher mean grades in the Clinical Nutrition course (6.34 vs. 5.94, p = 0.027, p = 0.003) and overall degree (7.39 vs. 7.22, p = 0.021, p = 0.002). As the number of MBRFs increased (from 'none' to '1,' '2' and '3+' factors), the proportion of graduates receiving a distinction also decreased (6.1%, 3.3%, 3.3% and 0.0%, respectively, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, high prevalence of MBRFs was observed in this sample of medical students, while MBRF clustering was prospectively inversely associated with academic performance. These findings highlight the need for preventive lifestyle strategies to improve these students' behavioral risk factors and academic performance during their studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association of blood hypertension and certain behavioral risk factors with cognitive decline in elderly individuals. Methods: A subsample of 92 elderly people aged ≥ 75 years was taken from 411 people (aged 65+ years) living in a rural area of Crete, Greece. Detailed medical and family/social history data were recorded on a standard validated health card, and cognitive disorders were assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The participants were evaluated for behavioral risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption and dietary habits. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the risk (odds ratios, OR) of cognitive impairment. Results: The mean age of participants was 80.8 ± 4.3 years old with 66.3% being married, and their MMSE mean score was 23.4 ± 4.6; 46.7% had severe and/or mild symptoms of cognitive decline, while more than half (67.4%) had been diagnosed with hypertension. Living alone (OR: 3.48, p = 0.034), being physically inactive (OR: 5.65, p = 0.046) and low consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR: 4.16, p = 0.018) were found to increase the odds of cognitive impairment, while elderly people with hypertension were also found to have lower odds of cognitive impairment (OR: 0.42, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although the observational character of this study carries some potential limitations, the reverse association of cognitive capacity with hypertension constitutes a 'paradox' phenomenon and is in contrast to the current literature. Further research with a larger sample is needed to better understand the observed association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of injuries on a cohort of 123 Greek team's professional football players during three consecutive seasons, 2015/16-to-2017/18. Injuries were assessed and regression analysis was used to evaluate the potential risk factors. Three-quarters of the players were recorded as injured with 2.3 injuries/injured player, and the injury incidence was 55 injuries/1,000 match-playing-exposure-hours. The mean rehabilitation days were 29.3/injured player (95%CI 22.4–36.8) and 13.0/injury (95%CI 8.6–17.4). The majority of injured players has been found to have moderate-to-major/severe injuries and most of the injuries were traumatic than overuse (p < 0.05). The number of injuries were related to the recurrence of injury (beta = 0.646, p < 0.001) and the rehabilitations days (beta = 0.271, p < 0.001). High prevalence of injuries was found as the recurrence of injury and rehabilitation days were their main predictive risk factors. In order to reduce the risk of injuries, continuous effort is required in the rehabilitation of players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To construct weight, height, head circumference and body mass index (BMI) percentile growth curves for Greek children 0–6.7 years old and to compare the BMI means and upper limits with both available Greek national and international data. Methods: Data were obtained from six cross-sectional and one longitudinal study, which included single, term healthy neonates, recruited at birth and followed until 6.7 years. A total of 12,619 measurements were performed on 7034 boys and girls from five counties in Greece in 1988–2005. The per gender-age percentile estimations were based on Box-Cox power transformations to normalize the data. BMI values were compared with available national data and with the CDC 2000 Growth Charts, the Euro-Growth Study, WHO 2006 Growth Standards and IOTF BMI values. Results: The mean birth weight was 3.5 kg in boys and 3.3 kg in girls, and all mean levels of body measurements were lower in girls than boys. The per gender-age mean BMI values were closer to the data of the Euro-Growth Study and significantly different from previous national and available international data. The 85th percentile of BMI was found significantly higher than all the international data. Conclusion: These growth curves could serve as an additional reference for Greece. That the 85th BMI percentile of this study was higher than all available data should be seriously addressed. Therefore, the growth patterns of preschool children from the present study could serve as approximate indicative values and assist in assessing the health level of the Greek child population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing handovers provide critical information on the patient, requiring special communication skills and techniques between the nurses' shift-change. Aim: Current study investigates the experiences/views of nurses regarding the handover process. Methods: An observation method was applied assesing 22 interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and an audio recording system throughout mixed content analysis. Results: Nursing handover mainly involves medical instructions, detailed records of each patient's general condition or drug administration guidelines. Nurses determined which pieces of information were significant to transfer to the next shift were the medical instructions, the patient's hemodynamic condition and the care plans implemented by the previous nurse. The information was mainly drawn from events occurring in the previous 24 h, from the medical instructions, or the doctors and the nursing outcomes, and to a lesser extent from the events of the previous shifts and the nursing folders. None of the participants had received, as they stated, any training in the handover process. Conclusions: It is highlighting the importance of organized, standardized and up-to-date handovers, and the fundamental part they play in the health care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous research has suggested that individuals are mostly prone to loneliness in their later years of life because of exposure to several risk factors typical of old age. The current study aims to examine possible demographic, health and social determinants of loneliness among older adults in Europe.Methods: Data on a nationally representative sample of 5074 Europeans aged ≥ 65 years were drawn from the first wave of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, 2004/2005). Frequency of feelings of loneliness was examined according to adverse health conditions, stressful life events and social isolation indicators.Results: Female gender, older age, lower socioeconomic status, living unpartnered, being childless and having no activity involvement were significantly associated with frequent feelings of loneliness (p < 0.001). The proportion of the respondents who declared enduring loneliness most of the time compared with none of the time was significantly higher among Southern Europeans relative to their Northern counterparts (p < 0.001). Recent departure of offspring from the parental nest was a significant predictor of loneliness in both the second (ORs = 2.08; 95% CI 1.24-3.48) and the third (ORs = 1.75; 95% CI 1.03-2.96) multiple regression models.Conclusion: In this sample of older Europeans, several demographic characteristics, specific adverse health conditions, stressful life events and social isolation indicators were associated with feelings of loneliness. Policy initiatives for the alleviation of loneliness in older age should therefore aim at improving psychosocial and health-related difficulties faced by this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Seven Countries’ Study showed that in the 1960s, participants in the island of Crete, Greece, had among the lowest cardiovascular (CVD) mortality rates in the world, but in recent years CVD rates in Crete have increased. This study aimed to assess changes in CVD-risk occurring since the Seven Countries’ Study.Subject and methods: Secondary analysis was performed in two cohorts of men (aged 40-60 years) in Crete-Greece, in 1960 (Seven Countries’ Study’s participants) and 1997 (random sample of men of the same age and residence areas). The HeartScore was used to estimate the (1) 10-year CVD-risk and (2) 10-year CVD-risk based on body mass index (BMI), of 627 (1960 cohort) and 93 (1997 cohort) Cretan men.Results: Between 1960 and 1997, 10-year CVD-risk (3.4 vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001) and risk based on BMI (1.6 vs. 3.0%, P < 0.001) increased by 38 and 88%, respectively. During this period, the proportion of overweight/obese participants (21.8 vs. 83.9%, P < 0.001) and participants with hypercholesterolemia (51.5 vs. 81.7%, P < 0.001), as well as physical inactivity (37.3 vs. 56.0%, P = 0.001) increased. The prevalence of high and very high CVD-risk (≥5%) almost doubled (+90%), mainly due to concomitant increases in total cholesterol levels (+84%, P < 0.001) during this period. CVD-risk increased between 1960 and 1997 in this population of Cretan men.Conclusions: Appropriate public health initiatives are needed to promote the traditional, health-promoting lifestyle of men in Crete observed in the 1960s in the Seven Countries’ Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To determine the value of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) for general ward patients and its potential use as an alarm tool for ward nurses. Methods: A combined prospective‐retrospective observational study was conducted with 153 patients in a university hospital (2013‐2014). All patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from general wards. Parameters retrospectively studied were 5 MEWS values at 4 hourly intervals, up to 20 hours before ICU admission. Parameters prospectively studied were ICU length of stay, ICU mortality, and mortality after ICU discharge. Results: Most frequent severe adverse events were acute respiratory failure (39.9%) and septic shock (20.3%). Modified Early Warning Score increased gradually during the last 20 hours, and most patients remained in the wards, above a cut‐off point ≥7 recorded at 4 hours before admission. Significant associations between latest MEWS score and ICU mortality and ICU length of stay were found. MEWS score≥ 7 hours before admission was highly associated with increased ICU and hospital mortality. Conclusion: Patient deterioration in general wards can result in severe adverse events. Modified Early Warning Score is a strong predictor of outcome and may be used as a monitoring tool for potentially avoidable deaths and unplanned admissions to ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aims to examine the utilization of preventive health services in relation to social isolation among older Europeans adults. Methods: Data on 5,129 adults 65 years of age and older was obtained from the first wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, 2004/05). Prevalence of social isolation indicators (living arrangements, marital status, number of children, contact with children, proximity to children, activity participation, social exchange) was assessed in relation to preventive health services utilization, which was ascertained by a 12-item composite score (PHSUs). Estimations were based on the complex study design. Results: Diverse facets of social isolation were differently associated to preventive care. Significantly lower mean PHSUs were found for adults living unpartnered, who were unmarried, had no children and were socially disengaged. A similar pattern was thus drawn regarding the clustering of social isolation indicators (4+). Considerable variations were detected across SHARE countries in the distribution of PHSUs among socially isolated adults. Conclusion: Socially isolated individuals were found to receive fewer preventive services. This finding confers important evidence on the potential factors that affect the use of preventive health services among older adults. It is also suggestive of the need to develop public health and social policies with the aim to alleviate social isolation and as a means to enhance preventive care uptake in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking is among the health risk behaviors taken up by many adolescents with lifelong consequences and associations with multiple health risk behaviors. Smoking and smoking initiation in adolescence involves an interaction between micro-, meso-, and macro systems, including neighborhoods and the greater community.Objectives: To examine the associations of individual social and economic capital with self-reported health, life satisfaction, and smoking behavior in adolescents.Methods: Using a multistage random sampling of junior high school students (16–18 years old) in Crete, Greece, 703 adolescents (90.2% 16 years old; 55.6% girls, participation rate 84.2%) completed an anonymous questionnaire based on HBSC study and the Youth Social Capital Scale (YSCS) during April–June 2008. Multiple logistic regression models were performed adjusted for potential confounders.Results: Adolescents with high participation in their neighborhoods and communities (higher structural social capital) displayed lower odds for daily smoking; those feeling unsafe (lower cognitive social capital) were at greater odds of daily smoking. Adolescents with less friends and acquaintances had lower odds of having tried tobacco products. Smoking was not related to any economic capital variables (perceived affluence, paternal and maternal employment status). Adolescents with low/medium versus high total social capital were at higher odds for low life satisfaction and fair/bad versus excellent self-rated health.Conclusions/Importance: Social capital theory may provide a better understanding in identifying the social context that is protective or harmful to adolescents' smoking. Public health organizations at all levels need to incorporate social capital theory in their interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: The current study aims to assess the relationship between behavioral risk factors (BRFs) for chronic diseases and preventive health services utilization among European adults. Subjects and Methods: We used data from 16,125 adults, aged 50+ years, from 11 countries participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004/05). Prevalence of BRFs (high body weight, smoking, physical inactivity and risky alcohol consumption) was examined in relation to preventive health services utilization, which was assessed via a 12-component score (PHSUs) (scale: 0-100). Estimations were based on the complex study design. Results: Of the participants, 90.7% were seeing a general practitioner (GP) and 52.7% had 2+ BRFs. Adults with high body weight had lower odds of seeing a dentist (0.75, p < 0.05) or having sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy (0.70, p < 0.05) and higher odds of receiving GP advice to exercise regularly (1.56, p < 0.05). Smokers had lower odds of having mammograms (0.76, p < 0.05), sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy (0.72, p < 0.05) and being tested for hidden blood in stool (0.63, p < 0.05). Risky drinkers had lower odds of having mammograms (0.23, p < 0.05). Lower mean PHSUs were found for adults with high body weight ( p = 0.001), smokers ( p = 0.001) and risky drinkers ( p = 0.008), while PHSUs did not differ by BRF clusters ( p = 0.218). In adults with 2+ BRFs, Greece was the country with the lowest mean PHSUs (28.0, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adults with high body weight, those who smoked and were risky drinkers used fewer preventive health services. Primary prevention programs should be developed to reduce BRF prevalence and promote preventive health services use in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Aim: This article reports the results of an observation study, aimed at exploring an association between spirituality, religiousness, and sense of coherence in a population group residing in a rural area of Crete, Greece. Study Design and Methods: The study was conducted during the period 2007-2009. Subjects aged 65 years and older (n = 118) living in two remote and rural villages in the Heraklion county (Crete) were eligible. Eighty-nine people (51 women and 38 men) participated. Demographic data were obtained, and all participants were asked to complete the Greek version of the self-reported Royal Free Interview for Spiritual and Religious Beliefs, and the Sense of Coherence Scale. Results: Most participants reported strong religious beliefs and this was found to be related with increased age. Widowed participants expressed greater religiousness and spirituality (p = 0.029). The total score for Sense of Coherence was negatively correlated with gender (women have lower scores, p < 0.05), marital status (widows presented lower scores, p < 0.001), and increased age. A strong positive correlation of the Sense of Coherence score with the Spiritual Scale as measured by three questions of the Royal Free Interview was also identified (p = 0.039). Conclusions: The impact of gender and marital status seem to be emerging determinants in defining sense of coherence among inhabitants of rural Crete. The positive association between religious/spiritual beliefs and sense of coherence deserves further attention to promote a multidimensional approach in its study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the differences in prevalence of multiple behavioral risk factors (MBRFs) for chronic diseases in European adults, from eleven North, Central and South European countries. Subjects and methods : We used data from 26,656 adults, aged 50+ years, participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004/05). Physical inactivity, high body weight, smoking and risky alcohol consumption were assessed and estimated based on sampling weights, controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. Results: 53.4 % of adults had 2+ MBRFs. Prevalence in the total sample was highest for physical inactivity (71.2 %) and lowest for smoking (18.1 %). The cluster of high body weight and physical inactivity had the highest prevalence of MBRFs (35.4 %), with higher prevalence in Southern Europe ( p < 0.05). Smoking and alcohol consumption presented the greatest degree of clustering (observed to expected ratio = 2.44). Spain and Greece had the highest prevalence of clustering 2+ MBRFs, whereas Southern European countries had a higher mean number of MBRFs, compared to North and Central European regions ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of MBRFs varied between countries, with Southern European countries engaging in more risky behaviors. Primary prevention programmes should be developed to reduce MBRFs in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study assessed the physical performance of youth Greek football (soccer) players between the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Youth and National Leagues' matches. This effort was based on 271 measurements of nine physical/motor activities recruited from 25 players with a mean age of 18.4 (±1.2 years) during August 2017 and January 2018 from official-matches of UEFA Youth (n=6) and National Leagues (n=16). Measurements were recruited using Global-Positioning-System Technology-(GPS) and differences were assessed through analysis of covariance. 56.0% of the players were 18.0+ years old, 52.0% were midfielders, and 56.5% of players' participations were recorded in full time (90.0+ minutes). Between the two competitions of UEFA Youth and National Leagues' matches, it has been found that there is significant difference only in mean number of decelerations (71.4 vs. 61.7, respectively, p=0.010). High mean levels of total distance-(TD), very high-intensity-speed-running-distance-(VHS), maximal-sprinting-speed-distance-(MS), high-speed-running-(HSR), distance/time-(D/T), sprints, number of accelerations and maximum-velocity-(Vmax) were noticed as well as in UEFA Youth Leagues' matches but did not differed significantly in relation to counterparts (p>0.05). The researchers observed that youth football players displayed similar efforts in all matches maintaining a high level of physical performance, without separating the matches according to the competition, due to the educational behavior adopted within the football academy of the club. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]