Emmanuel Velonakis

Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among Greek adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among Greek adolescents and identify possible risk factors associated with these attitudes. DESIGN Cross-sectional, school-based study. SETTING Six randomly selected schools in Patras, southern Greece. PARTICIPANTS The study population consisted of 540 Greek students aged 13-18 years, and the response rate was 97%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The dependent variable was scores on the Eating Attitudes Test-26, with scores > or = 20 indicating abnormal eating attitudes. ANALYSIS Bivariate analysis included independent Student t test, chi-square test, and Fishers exact test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied for the identification of the predictive factors, which were associated independently with abnormal eating attitudes. A 2-sided P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes was 16.7%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that females, urban residents, and those with a body mass index outside normal range, a perception of being overweight, body dissatisfaction, and a family member on a diet were independently related to abnormal eating attitudes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results indicate that a proportion of Greek adolescents report abnormal eating attitudes and suggest that multiple factors contribute to the development of these attitudes. These findings are useful for further research into this topic and would be valuable in designing preventive interventions.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among Greek higher education female students and predictors of vaccine uptake

One of the biggest public health measures to prevent HPV infection, and consequently, cervical cancer, is the HPV vaccine. Greece introduced HPV vaccines to its National Vaccination Program in 2008. The aims of this study were to estimate HPV vaccination coverage among female Greek students in higher education and to identify uptake predictors. We conducted a cross-sectional study. Data was collected through a self-completed questionnaire. The sample size included 3153 women with an 87% participation rate. Overall 25.8% of students reported they had received three doses of the HPV vaccine. Positive predictors of vaccine uptake were: younger age, higher educational level (own and parents), ever previous visit(s) to the gynecologist, always use of condoms, not smokers, not being in a stable relationship and easy access to Health Care Services. Vaccine compliance was unacceptably low despite the fact that the vaccination is free-of-charge. Interventions on college campuses should stress vaccination as a normative behavior.

Knowledge of the HPV vaccine and its association with vaccine uptake among female higher-education students in Greece

The aims of the study were to assess the awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccination among female university and technological institutes students, and their association with vaccine uptake, and to identify the variables associated with higher levels of knowledge.

Factors That Influence Greeks' Decision to Register as Potential Bone Marrow Donors

Hemopoietic stem cells can be used from bone marrow or blood or umbilical cord blood of matched siblings or appropriately matched unrelated volunteers. Today, large bone marrow registries have been established to help identify volunteer unrelated bone marrow donors for patients lacking a family donor. Despite there being almost 10 million registered potential bone marrow donors (PBMD) worldwide, only 50% of white patients have a suitable bone marrow match. Growth in the number of PBMD increases the likelihood of finding a compatible donor for a patient. The attitudes and knowledge of 250 registered PBMD and 315 not registered PBMD toward bone marrow donation, tissues and organs donation, and blood donation were surveyed, using a questionnaire with 27 items. Multivariate logistic regression identified gender (females more often than males), regular blood donation, having a relative or a friend who has already been registered as PBMD, having a relative or a friend who needs bone marrow transplantation, family discussion about tissue and organ donation, knowledge about bone marrow transplantation, information about bone marrow transplantation, and trust in health professionals were independent predictive factors influencing peoples decision to register as PBMD. Knowledge of these factors is important to target recruitment efforts.

A health promotion programme for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly

AbstractA health education programme, focusing on access to and adoption of healthier lifestyles towards cardiovascular risks in the elderly, was implemented in the population of two Open Care Centres for the Elderly (KAPI) in Nea Ionia, an urban municipality in the greater Athens area. The results of this intervention were compared with those in a control group of the other two KAPIs in the same city, where no health education intervention was implemented. There was observed a statistically significant decrease of body weight, salt intake, smoking, as well as an increase in the daily walking time in the intervention but not in the control group. The alcohol consumption, however, was reduced in both groups. In this study people with known hypertension, diabetes or hypercholesterolaemia seem to have modified their habits and improved their compliance with treatment. It was then concluded that a well-designed health promotion programme, based on integrated health education methodology and using existing com...

Impact of Job Satisfaction on Greek Nurses' Health-Related Quality of Life

Background Employee job satisfaction and its relationship with health and quality of life has been an issue of major concern over the past decades. Nurses experience difficult working conditions that affect their job satisfaction, health, and quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in three general hospitals and their respective health centers. Stratified random sampling by level of education was used, and 508 nurses and nursing assistants were included. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire, which included the Measure of Job Satisfaction, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, as well as demographic details, education, and work conditions data, was used. Results Greek nurses were found to be dissatisfied with their job according to the total score of the job satisfaction scale, although personal satisfaction and satisfaction with support had had higher scores. Their general health was reported as average, because of physical and mental health problems, low vitality, low energy, and increased physical pain. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that males and those wishing to stay in the job had higher physical and mental health. Increased job satisfaction was related to increased physical and mental health. Conclusion Although Greek nurses are not satisfied with their work, those with high levels of job satisfaction had better health-related quality of life. The findings suggest that improvement of the work environment would contribute to a healthier and more satisfied nursing workforce.