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Prevyzi E, Patrinos S, Intas G, Elefsiniotis I, Velonakis E, Grapsa E. Perceptions of Teamwork and Knowledge Attitudes of Hemodialysis Unit Nurses on Infection Prevention. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1425:555-565. [PMID: 37581829 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Nurses of Hemodialysis Units: it is necessary to face HAIs (hospital-acquired infections) as a "well-tuned" teamwork. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the teamwork as well as the knowledge attitudes of the nurses of hemodialysis units on infection prevention in Greece. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 1018 HCWs (health care workers) of hemodialysis units in Greece. The questionnaires used were: Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ) TeamSTEPPS®-Instructor Manual, and questionnaire APPENDIX A. RESULTS The majority of them were nurses (69.45%) and nurse assistants (23.87%). About teamwork perceptions per factor, we observed uniformity in their responses with very high rates of agreement. The attitudes of nurses of hemodialysis units on the prevention of infections were distinguished in particularly high rates of compliance with a high perception of the risk of transmission of infections with better compliance being that of women. Also, women seem to be more knowledgeable about diseases that mostly affect the pediatric population. It seemed that level of knowledge between the two sexes did not differ regarding HBV (63.16% vs. 66.71%, p = 0.430), HCV (63.91% vs. 66.71%, p = 0.553), HIV infection (78.95% vs. 81.76%, p = 0.471), and influenza (55.64% vs. 59.61%, p = 0.394). CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted for the first time the high level of perceptions of teamwork of the HCWs of the hemodialysis units in Greece. It is recommended to investigate the correct application of prevention measures and to detect the causes of deviation from good practices with subsequent investigations on hemodialysis units of Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Prevyzi
- Public Institute of Vocational Training «Τzaneio», General Hospital of Piraeus «Tzaneio», Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Intas
- Department General Hospital of Nikaia "Agios Panteleimonas", Professor member of SEP, DMY 50, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece
- Metropolitan College, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Elefsiniotis
- Nursing School of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- University Clinic - Hepato-Gastroenterology Laboratory, General Oncology Hospital "Agioi Anargyri", Kifissia, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Velonakis
- Nursing School of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Grapsa
- Medical School of Athens, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hemodialysis Unit, "Aretaeio" Regional General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Kostaki EG, Limnaios S, Adamis G, Xylomenos G, Chini M, Mangafas N, Lazanas M, Patrinos S, Metallidis S, Tsachouridou O, Papastamopoulos V, Chatzidimitriou D, Antoniadou A, Papadopoulos A, Protopapas K, Tsiara C, Psichogiou M, Basoulis D, Pilalas D, Paraskeva D, Chrysos G, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Sambatakou H, Bolanos V, Sipsas NV, Lada M, Barbounakis E, Kantzilaki E, Panagopoulos P, Petrakis V, Drimis S, Katsarolis I, Lagiou P, Hatzakis A, Magiorkinis G, Skoura L, Paraskevis D. Estimation of the determinants for HIV late presentation using the traditional definition and molecular clock-inferred dates: Evidence that older age, heterosexual risk group and more recent diagnosis are prognostic factors. HIV Med 2022; 23:1143-1152. [PMID: 36258653 PMCID: PMC10092532 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HIV late presentation (LP) has been increasing in recent years in Europe. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics of LP in Greece using in addition to the traditional definition for LP, the time interval between HIV infection and diagnosis. METHODS Our nationwide sample included HIV-1 sequences generated from 6166 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Greece during the period 1999-2015. Our analysis was based on the molecularly inferred HIV-1 infection dates for PLWH infected within local molecular transmission clusters of subtypes A1 and B. RESULTS Analysis of the determinants of LP was conducted using either CD4 counts or AIDS-defining condition at diagnosis or the time from infection to diagnosis. Older age, heterosexual transmission risk group and more recent diagnosis were associated with increased risk for LP. In contrast to previous studies, people who inject drugs (PWID) had a shorter median time to diagnosis (0.63 years) compared to men who have sex with men (MSM) (1.72 years) and heterosexuals (2.43 years). Using HIV infection dates that provide an unbiased marker for LP compared to CD4 counts at diagnosis, which are age-dependent, we estimated that the time to diagnosis increased gradually with age. Migrants infected regionally do not differ with respect to LP status compared to native Greeks. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that older people and heterosexuals are among those at higher risk for LP; and given the growing number of older people among newly diagnosed cases, tailored interventions are needed in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Limnaios
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Adamis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Xylomenos
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Mangafas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Lazanas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Simeon Metallidis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Papastamopoulos
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Mina Psichogiou
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Basoulis
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Pilalas
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Paraskeva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Georgios Chrysos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Vasileios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Helen Sambatakou
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Bolanos
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos V Sipsas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Malvina Lada
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleion General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion "PAGNI", Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evrikleia Kantzilaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion "PAGNI", Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vasilis Petrakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Stelios Drimis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Lemonia Skoura
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Pappa S, Barmparessou Z, Athanasiou N, Sakka E, Eleftheriou K, Patrinos S, Sakkas N, Pappas A, Kalomenidis I, Katsaounou P. Depression, Insomnia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in COVID-19 Survivors: Role of Gender and Impact on Quality of Life. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12030486. [PMID: 35330485 PMCID: PMC8950533 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence to date suggests that a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients experience adverse psychological outcomes and neuropsychiatric complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent hospitalization on the mental health, sleep, and quality of life of COVID-19 survivors. Patients were assessed 1−2 months after hospital discharge using standardized screening tools for depression and anxiety (HADS), post-traumatic stress disorder (IES-R), insomnia (AIS), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, disease severity and type of hospitalization were also collected. Amongst the 143 patients included, mental health symptoms were common (depression—19%; anxiety—27%; traumatic stress—39%; insomnia—33%) and more frequently reported in female than in male patients. Age, smoking status, comorbidities and illness severity were not found to significantly correlate with the presence of mood, sleep, or stress disorders. Finally, quality of life was worse for patients requiring ICU (p = 0.0057) or a longer hospital stay (p < 0.001) but was unaffected by factors such as sex and other measured outcomes. These findings highlight the need for appropriate intervention to properly manage the immediate and enduring mental health complications of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pappa
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Zafeiria Barmparessou
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Nikolaos Athanasiou
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Elpitha Sakka
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4AT, UK;
| | - Kostas Eleftheriou
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Stavros Patrinos
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Nikolaos Sakkas
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Apostolis Pappas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Ioannis Kalomenidis
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Katsaounou
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (Z.B.); (N.A.); (K.E.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (I.K.); (P.K.)
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
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Limnaios S, Kostaki EG, Adamis G, Astriti M, Chini M, Mangafas N, Lazanas M, Patrinos S, Metallidis S, Tsachouridou O, Papastamopoulos V, Kakalou E, Chatzidimitriou D, Antoniadou A, Papadopoulos A, Psichogiou M, Basoulis D, Gova M, Pilalas D, Paraskeva D, Chrysos G, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Sambatakou H, Bolanos V, Sipsas NV, Lada M, Barbounakis E, Kantzilaki E, Panagopoulos P, Maltezos E, Drimis S, Sypsa V, Lagiou P, Magiorkinis G, Hatzakis A, Skoura L, Paraskevis D. Dating the Origin and Estimating the Transmission Rates of the Major HIV-1 Clusters in Greece: Evidence about the Earliest Subtype A1 Epidemic in Europe. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010101. [PMID: 35062305 PMCID: PMC8782043 DOI: 10.3390/v14010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to estimate the date of the origin and the transmission rates of the major local clusters of subtypes A1 and B in Greece. Phylodynamic analyses were conducted in 14 subtype A1 and 31 subtype B clusters. The earliest dates of origin for subtypes A1 and B were in 1982.6 and in 1985.5, respectively. The transmission rate for the subtype A1 clusters ranged between 7.54 and 39.61 infections/100 person years (IQR: 9.39, 15.88), and for subtype B clusters between 4.42 and 36.44 infections/100 person years (IQR: 7.38, 15.04). Statistical analysis revealed that the average difference in the transmission rate between the PWID and the MSM clusters was 6.73 (95% CI: 0.86 to 12.60; p = 0.026). Our study provides evidence that the date of introduction of subtype A1 in Greece was the earliest in Europe. Transmission rates were significantly higher for PWID than MSM clusters due to the conditions that gave rise to an extensive PWID HIV-1 outbreak ten years ago in Athens, Greece. Transmission rate can be considered as a valuable measure for public health since it provides a proxy of the rate of epidemic growth within a cluster and, therefore, it can be useful for targeted HIV prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Limnaios
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Georgios Adamis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Myrto Astriti
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Nikos Mangafas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Marios Lazanas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Simeon Metallidis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.M.); (O.T.)
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.M.); (O.T.)
| | - Vasileios Papastamopoulos
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Eleni Kakalou
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Mina Psichogiou
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Dimitrios Basoulis
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Maria Gova
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Dimitrios Pilalas
- Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitra Paraskeva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Georgios Chrysos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Vasileios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, 16121 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, 16121 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Helen Sambatakou
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (H.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Vasileios Bolanos
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (H.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Nikolaos V. Sipsas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Malvina Lada
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleion General Hospital, 15126 Marousi, Greece;
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion “PAGNI”, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Evrikleia Kantzilaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion “PAGNI”, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (P.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Efstratios Maltezos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (P.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Stelios Drimis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Lemonia Skoura
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Mpousiou D, Soteriades ES, Patrinos S, Sakkas N, Karakatsani A, Karathanasi A, Gratziou C, Katsaounou PA. Could adolescents be the vehicle that transfers a no-smoking rule from school to home? Tob Prev Cessat 2021; 7:52. [PMID: 34307967 PMCID: PMC8283973 DOI: 10.18332/tpc/137482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Banning smoking at home, schools, children's playgrounds and indoor environments, constitutes an integral part of tobacco control efforts to prevent uptake of smoking among young teenagers. We aimed at exploring the role of teenagers as facilitators of change in enforcing a home no-smoking rule following school-based anti-tobacco programs and examining the effect of home no-smoking rule on teenagers' intention to smoke. METHODS A school-based intervention-control study was implemented during the 2016-2017 academic year among middle-school students in Athens, Greece. The experiential learning intervention was delivered using an interdisciplinary approach, bridging excerpts from ancient classical Greek myths and ancient classical literature, with their decoded archetypal symbols applied in a smoking and tobacco control paradigm. An anonymous selfadministered questionnaire was used at baseline, and at follow-up at 3 months to evaluate program effectiveness. A chi-squared test was used for categorical variables and a t-test for continuous variables. Cohen's distance (d) was employed to examine the intervention effect size. A two-tailed p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant using IBM SPSS V.22. RESULTS In all, 351 students participated. At baseline, 47.5% in the intervention group reported a home no-smoking rule and 86% indicated being unlikely to smoke, these increased to 61.3% (p=0.016) and 98.2% (p<0.001) at followup, respectively. Cohen's d value was calculated to estimate the effect size of intervention. A large effect size of intervention was found in the intervention group (d=1.24), whilst d=0.19 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that our intervention led to the increase of no-smoking rules at home and to a negative intention towards smoking of adolescents. Consequently, we provide evidence that students are effective vehicles for carrying anti-smoking messages to their home environment including the no-smoking rule. Additionally, we confirmed previous reports that home no-smoking rule is associated with a negative intention to smoke and risk of smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Mpousiou
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Thoracic Society, Athens, Greece
| | - Elpidoforos S. Soteriades
- Hellenic Thoracic Society, Athens, Greece
- Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | | | - Nickolaos Sakkas
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Karakatsani
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Thoracic Society, Athens, Greece
- 2nd Pulmonary Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Areti Karathanasi
- Institute of Educational Policy, Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrstina Gratziou
- Evgenidion Clinic Agia Trias S. A., National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi A. Katsaounou
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Thoracic Society, Athens, Greece
- First Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Evaggelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Mpousiou DP, Sakkas N, Soteriades ES, Toumbis M, Patrinos S, Karakatsani A, Karathanassi A, Raftopoulos V, Gratziou CG, Katsaounou PA. Evaluation of a school-based, experiential-learning smoking prevention program in promoting attitude change in adolescents. Tob Induc Dis 2021; 19:53. [PMID: 34177415 PMCID: PMC8212924 DOI: 10.18332/tid/134605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION School-based tobacco control programs exhibit great variety. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an experiential learning smoking prevention program in facilitating knowledge acquisition, forging healthy attitudes, and decreasing intention to smoke. METHODS A school-based intervention-control study was implemented during the 2016–2017 academic year among middle-school students in Athens, Greece. The experiential learning intervention was delivered using an interdisciplinary approach, bridging excerpts from ancient classical Greek myths, Aesop fables and ancient classical literature (Aristotle, Herodotus, Plutarch, Xenophon, Homer’s Epics), with their decoded archetypal symbols applied in a smoking and tobacco control paradigm. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used at baseline and at follow-up at 3 months to evaluate program effectiveness. RESULTS A total of 351 students participated in our study; 181 (51.6%) in the intervention group and 170 (48.4%) in the control group. The mean age of student participants was 13 years (SD=0.96). Students in the intervention group were more likely to improve their knowledge of the adverse effects of smoking, develop attitudes against smoking and report a negative intention to smoke in the first year following the intervention, compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that school-based experiential learning smoking prevention programs improve smoking-related knowledge, enhance anti-smoking attitudes and reinforce negative intentions toward tobacco products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaos Sakkas
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elpidoforos S Soteriades
- Healthcare Management Program, Faculty of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, United States
| | | | | | - Anna Karakatsani
- 2nd Pulmonary Clinic, Atticon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.,National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Christina G Gratziou
- Smoking Cessation Centre, Evgenidio Hospital, Athens, Greece.,School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi A Katsaounou
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Evaggelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens Greece
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Vourli G, Noori T, Pharris A, Porter K, Axelsson M, Begovac J, Cazein F, Costagliola D, Cowan S, Croxford S, d'Arminio Monforte A, Delpech V, Díaz A, Girardi E, Gunsenheimer-Bartmeyer B, Hernando V, Leierer G, Lot F, Nunez O, Obel N, Op de Coul E, Paraskeva D, Patrinos S, Reiss P, Schmid D, Sonnerborg A, Suligoi B, Supervie V, van Sighem A, Zangerle R, Touloumi G. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Continuum of Care in 11 European Union Countries at the End of 2016 Overall and by Key Population: Have We Made Progress? Clin Infect Dis 2021; 71:2905-2916. [PMID: 32960957 PMCID: PMC7778352 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High uptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and related mortality; however, gaps in care exist. We aimed to construct the continuum of HIV care (CoC) in 2016 in 11 European Union (EU) countries, overall and by key population and sex. To estimate progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target, we compared 2016 to 2013 estimates for the same countries, representing 73% of the population in the region. Methods A CoC with the following 4 stages was constructed: number of people living with HIV (PLHIV); proportion of PLHIV diagnosed; proportion of those diagnosed who ever initiated ART; and proportion of those ever treated who achieved viral suppression at their last visit. Results We estimated that 87% of PLHIV were diagnosed; 92% of those diagnosed had ever initiated ART; and 91% of those ever on ART, or 73% of all PLHIV, were virally suppressed. Corresponding figures for men having sex with men were: 86%, 93%, 93%, 74%; for people who inject drugs: 94%, 88%, 85%, 70%; and for heterosexuals: 86%, 92%, 91%, 72%. The proportion suppressed of all PLHIV ranged from 59% to 86% across countries. Conclusions The EU is close to the 90-90-90 target and achieved the UNAIDS target of 73% of all PLHIV virally suppressed, significant progress since 2013 when 60% of all PLHIV were virally suppressed. Strengthening of testing programs and treatment support, along with prevention interventions, are needed to achieve HIV epidemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Vourli
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Teymur Noori
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Josip Begovac
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Francoise Cazein
- Santé publique France, the French national public health agency, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Asunción Díaz
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Istituto Nazionale Malattie Infettive 'L. Spallanzani, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Victoria Hernando
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Florence Lot
- Santé publique France, the French national public health agency, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Olivier Nunez
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Niels Obel
- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eline Op de Coul
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dimitra Paraskeva
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Amarousio, Greece
| | - Stavros Patrinos
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Amarousio, Greece
| | - Peter Reiss
- Stichting HIV Monitoring, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Schmid
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anders Sonnerborg
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Suligoi
- National AIDS Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginie Supervie
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Giota Touloumi
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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8
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Pavli A, Silvestros C, Patrinos S, Maltezou HC. Vaccination and malaria prophylaxis among Greek international travelers to Asian destinations. J Infect Public Health 2014; 8:47-54. [PMID: 25129447 PMCID: PMC7102727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International travel is rapidly increasing worldwide, and the greatest increases have occurred in tropical and subtropical areas. The aim of the survey was to investigate the pre-travel health-seeking practices of travelers to Asian destinations. METHODS A questionnaire-based survey was conducted at the Athens International Airport between the 1st of November 2011 and the 30th of April 2013. RESULTS A total of 1666 adult travelers participated in the study, and 69.7% were men. The mean age of the participants was 39 years. Previous travel to tropical countries was reported by 69% of the participants. The most frequent destination was the Indian subcontinent (45.0%). The main reasons for travel were visiting friends and relatives (VFRs; 36.5%) and business (32.4%). Most of the participants traveled for <1 month (51.4%). Only 24.5% pursued pre-travel consultations. Vaccinations were administered to 14.4% of the participants, and of those, 77%, 73%, and 32.5% received hepatitis A, tetanus/diphtheria, and typhoid vaccines, respectively. Malaria prophylaxis was given to 12.2% of the participants. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being male and unemployed, having an elementary level of education, traveling to visiting friends and relatives, and short durations of travel were significant determinants of not seeking pre-travel consultations. CONCLUSION Significant gaps were revealed in the vaccinations and malaria prophylaxes of travelers departing to Asia. Specific educational tools should be developed to improve the awareness of travelers to high-risk destinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androula Pavli
- Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysovalantis Silvestros
- Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavros Patrinos
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Helena C Maltezou
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
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9
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Maltezou HC, Pavli A, Spilioti A, Patrinos S, Lymperi I, Theodoridou M. Preparedness of paediatric international travellers departing from Athens, Greece: an 18-month airport-based survey. Acta Paediatr 2014; 103:e161-4. [PMID: 24298895 DOI: 10.1111/apa.12531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Revised: 10/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM The number of children who travel to tropical and subtropical areas has increased. This study aimed to assess the preparedness of children departing from Greece to Africa and Asia, in terms of vaccination and malaria chemoprophylaxis. METHODS An 18-month airport-based study was conducted in Athens between November 2011 and April 2013. RESULTS Of the 183 children studied, 122 (66.7%) had a foreign nationality. Their main destinations were the Indian subcontinent (43.2%), South-East Asia (30.6%) and sub-Saharan Africa (14.2%). Just under three-quarters (73.2%) of the children were travelling to visit friends and relatives. Forty (21.9%) children had received pretravel services. Children visiting friends and relatives sought pretravel services less frequently than those who were not (17.9% versus 32.7%; p = 0.033). Female children and Greek nationals were significantly more likely to seeking pretravel services than males and foreign nationals (p = 0.007 and <0.001, respectively). The rabies and the typhoid fever vaccines were administered inadequately to children travelling to endemic areas, but malaria chemoprophylaxis was generally justified. CONCLUSION Travel medicine services for children in Greece should be improved. There is a particular need to communicate with the parents of children visiting friends and relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena C Maltezou
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities; Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Androula Pavli
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities; Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Athina Spilioti
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities; Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Stavros Patrinos
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities; Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Ioanna Lymperi
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities; Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Maria Theodoridou
- University of Athens First Department of Pediatrics; ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital; Athens Greece
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10
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Kontopidou FV, Antoniadou A, Tsirigotis P, Venetis E, Polemis M, Patrinos S, Giamarellou H. The impact of an antimicrobial cycling strategy for febrile neutropenia in a haematology unit. J Chemother 2013; 25:279-85. [DOI: 10.1179/1973947813y.0000000077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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11
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Maltezou HC, Patrinos S, Veneti L, Gkolfinopoulou K, Pavli A, Mellou K, Sideroglou T, Spilioti A, Georgakopoulou T. Ηepatitis A and enteric fever in Greece, 2004-2011: a cross-sectional analysis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2013; 12:143-8. [PMID: 24201038 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Greece the number of international travellers has increased significantly the past decade. AIM To study the impact of international travels on the epidemiology of hepatitis A and enteric fever in Greece. METHODS We studied cases of hepatitis A and enteric fever notified through the National Surveillance System from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2011. RESULTS A total of 921 cases of hepatitis A and 106 cases of enteric fever were notified; of them, 88 (9.5%) and 46 (43.4%) were travel-associated, respectively. Travellers returning from Eastern Europe and the Middle East accounted for most imported cases of hepatitis A (37 (43.5%) and 14 (16.5%) cases, respectively). The Indian subcontinent was the prevalent area of acquisition of travel-associated enteric fever, followed by the Middle East (35 (83.3%) and 4 (9.5%) cases, respectively). Foreign-born travellers accounted for 43 (48.8%) and 39 (86.6%) cases of travel-associated hepatitis A and enteric fever, respectively. Children <15 years accounted for 65.1% of hepatitis A cases and 7.7% among foreign-born travellers. Greek Roma accounted for 270 (29.3%) of all hepatitis A cases notified. CONCLUSIONS International travels have a significant impact on the epidemiology of enteric fever in Greece, affecting mainly foreign travellers. Hepatitis A carries a significant burden of morbidity among Greek travellers and children of foreign nationality. There is a need to improve travel medicine services for travellers travelling to developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena C Maltezou
- Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece.
| | - Stavros Patrinos
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Labrini Veneti
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Kassiani Gkolfinopoulou
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Androula Pavli
- Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece
| | - Kassiani Mellou
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Theologia Sideroglou
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Spilioti
- Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece
| | - Theano Georgakopoulou
- Department for Epidemiological Surveillance, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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12
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Gkolfinopoulou K, Bitsolas N, Patrinos S, Veneti L, Marka A, Dougas G, Pervanidou D, Detsis M, Triantafillou E, Georgakopoulou T, Billinis C, Kremastinou J, Hadjichristodoulou C. Epidemiology of human leishmaniasis in Greece, 1981-2011. Euro Surveill 2013. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.29.20532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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13
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Gkolfinopoulou K, Bitsolas N, Patrinos S, Veneti L, Marka A, Dougas G, Pervanidou D, Detsis M, Triantafillou E, Georgakopoulou T, Billinis C, Kremastinou J, Hadjichristodoulou C. Epidemiology of human leishmaniasis in Greece, 1981-2011. Euro Surveill 2013; 18:20532. [PMID: 23929118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic and mandatorily notifiable in Greece. Epidemiological surveillance data for leishmaniasis in Greece between 1981 and 2011 are presented. In 1998, the notification system began distinguishing between visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mean annual incidence of reported leishmaniasis cases between 1998 and 2011 was 0.36 per 100,000 population. Of a total 563 leishmaniasis cases reported after 1998, 523 (93%) were visceral leishmaniasis cases. Incidence of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases fluctuated during this period, generally decreasing after 2007, with a small re-increase in 2011. The mean annual incidence rate of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases was significantly higher in less than four year-olds (p <0.001). Leishmaniasis cases occurred both in the country mainland and islands. Between 1998 and 2011, Attica concentrated almost half of the reported visceral leishmaniasis cases, with incidence rates in western Attica and western Athens above 12.00 per 100,000 population. Compared to visceral leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis had a rather sporadic distribution, with many prefectures appearing free of cases. From 2004, the notification also included risk factors and of 287 cases with known immune status, 44 (15%) were immunocompromised. Moreover having a dog at home was reported by 209 of 312 leishmaniasis cases (67%), whereas 229 of 307 cases (75%) reported the presence of stray dogs near their residence. Linking clinical surveillance data with laboratory data and improving collaboration with the veterinary public health sector are some of the future challenges for leishmaniasis surveillance in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gkolfinopoulou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
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14
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Gkolfinopoulou K, Bitsolas N, Patrinos S, Veneti L, Marka A, Dougas G, Pervanidou D, Detsis M, Triantafillou E, Georgakopoulou T, Billinis C, Kremastinou J, Hadjichristodoulou C. Epidemiology of human leishmaniasis in Greece, 1981-2011. Euro Surveill 2013. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.28.20532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic and mandatorily notifiable in Greece. Epidemiological surveillance data for leishmaniasis in Greece between 1981 and 2011 are presented. In 1998, the notification system began distinguishing between visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mean annual incidence of reported leishmaniasis cases between 1998 and 2011 was 0.36 per 100,000 population. Of a total 563 leishmaniasis cases reported after 1998, 523 (93%) were visceral leishmaniasis cases. Incidence of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases fluctuated during this period, generally decreasing after 2007, with a small re-increase in 2011. The mean annual incidence rate of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases was significantly higher in less than four year-olds (p <0.001). Leishmaniasis cases occurred both in the country mainland and islands. Between 1998 and 2011, Attica concentrated almost half of the reported visceral leishmaniasis cases, with incidence rates in western Attica and western Athens above 12.00 per 100,000 population. Compared to visceral leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis had a rather sporadic distribution, with many prefectures appearing free of cases. From 2004, the notification also included risk factors and of 287 cases with known immune status, 44 (15%) were immunocompromised. Moreover having a dog at home was reported by 209 of 312 leishmaniasis cases (67%), whereas 229 of 307 cases (75%) reported the presence of stray dogs near their residence. Linking clinical surveillance data with laboratory data and improving collaboration with the veterinary public health sector are some of the future challenges for leishmaniasis surveillance in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gkolfinopoulou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - N Bitsolas
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - S Patrinos
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - L Veneti
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - A Marka
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - G Dougas
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - D Pervanidou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - M Detsis
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - E Triantafillou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - T Georgakopoulou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - C Billinis
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - J Kremastinou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - C Hadjichristodoulou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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15
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Athanasiou M, Baka A, Andreopoulou A, Spala G, Karageorgou K, Kostopoulos L, Patrinos S, Sideroglou T, Triantafyllou E, Mentis A, Malisiovas N, Lytras T, Tsiodras S, Panagiotopoulos T, Bonovas S. Influenza surveillance during the post-pandemic influenza 2010/11 season in Greece, 04 October 2010 to 22 May 2011. Euro Surveill 2011; 16:20004. [PMID: 22085621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In this manuscript, we summarise the experience of Greece during the post-pandemic influenza season 2010/11 from 04 October 2010 to 22 May 2011. The spread of the disease and its impact were monitored using multiple surveillance systems, such as sentinel surveillance, virological surveillance and all-cause mortality surveillance. We also focus on the characteristics of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza cases who required admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n=368), and/or with a fatal outcome (n=180). The influenza-like illness rate reported from sentinel surveillance started rising in early January 2011 and peaked between 31 January and 6 February 2011. The total number of ICU admissions was higher in the post-pandemic influenza season than during the pandemic period causing a lot of pressure on ICUs. The overall population mortality rate due to influenza A(H1N1)2009 was higher than during the pandemic period (15.9 vs 13.2 fatal cases per million, p=0.087). Our data suggest that the severity of clinical illness in the first post-pandemic influenza season was comparable or even higher than during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Athanasiou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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16
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Athanasiou M, Baka A, Andreopoulou A, Spala G, Karageorgou K, Kostopoulos L, Patrinos S, Sideroglou T, Triantafyllou E, Mentis A, Malisiovas N, Lytras T, Tsiodras S, Panagiotopoulos T, Bonovas S. Influenza surveillance during the post-pandemic influenza 2010/11 season in Greece, 04 October 2010 to 22 May 2011. Euro Surveill 2011. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.16.44.20004-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this manuscript, we summarise the experience of Greece during the post-pandemic influenza season 2010/11 from 04 October 2010 to 22 May 2011. The spread of the disease and its impact were monitored using multiple surveillance systems, such as sentinel surveillance, virological surveillance and all-cause mortality surveillance. We also focus on the characteristics of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza cases who required admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n=368), and/or with a fatal outcome (n=180). The influenza-like illness rate reported from sentinel surveillance started rising in early January 2011 and peaked between 31 January and 6 February 2011. The total number of ICU admissions was higher in the post-pandemic influenza season than during the pandemic period causing a lot of pressure on ICUs. The overall population mortality rate due to influenza A(H1N1)2009 was higher than during the pandemic period (15.9 vs 13.2 fatal cases per million, p=0.087). Our data suggest that the severity of clinical illness in the first post-pandemic influenza season was comparable or even higher than during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Athanasiou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - A Baka
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - A Andreopoulou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - G Spala
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - K Karageorgou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - L Kostopoulos
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - S Patrinos
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - T Sideroglou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - E Triantafyllou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - A Mentis
- National Influenza Reference Laboratory for Southern Greece, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - N Malisiovas
- National Influenza Reference Laboratory for Northern Greece, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - T Lytras
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - S Tsiodras
- University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - T Panagiotopoulos
- National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - S Bonovas
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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Athanasiou M, Lytras T, Spala G, Triantafyllou E, Gkolfinopoulou K, Theocharopoulos G, Patrinos S, Danis K, Detsis M, Tsiodras S, Bonovas S, Panagiotopoulos T. Fatal cases associated with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) reported in Greece. PLoS Curr 2010; 2:RRN1194. [PMID: 21085493 PMCID: PMC2976846 DOI: 10.1371/currents.rrn1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Between 18 May 2009 and 3 May 2010, a total of 149 fatal cases associated with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) were reported in Greece. Detailed case-based epidemiological information was available for the large majority of fatal cases. The time distribution follows an epidemic curve with a peak in the beginning of December 2009 and a second peak one month later. This is similar to that of laboratory confirmed cases and influenza-like illness cases from our sentinel surveillance system, with two weeks delay. The most commonly reported underlying conditions were chronic cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression, while the most frequently identified risk factor was obesity. These findings should be taken into consideration, when vaccination strategies are employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Athanasiou
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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Maltezou HC, Dedoukou X, Patrinos S, Maragos A, Poufta S, Gargalianos P, Lazanas M. Determinants of intention to get vaccinated against novel (pandemic) influenza A H1N1 among health-care workers in a nationwide survey. J Infect 2010; 61:252-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2010.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pervanidou D, Horefti E, Patrinos S, Lytras T, Triantafillou E, Mentis A, Bonovas S, Panagiotopoulos T. Spotlight on measles 2010: Ongoing measles outbreak in Greece, January–July 2010. Euro Surveill 2010. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.30.19629-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A measles outbreak (126 reported cases to date) has been ongoing in Greece, since January 2010, originally related to the recent outbreak in Bulgaria. Cases are mostly unvaccinated, and mainly belong to three groups: Roma population of Bulgarian nationality, Greek Roma population, and Greek non-minority population. In these population groups, 67%, 95%, and 25% of cases respectively were children aged 0-14 years. Measures were taken to raise clinical awareness, and vaccination of specific population groups was undertaken. Policies are necessary to increase routine vaccination uptake of hard-to-reach groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pervanidou
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - E Horefti
- National Measles Reference Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - S Patrinos
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - T Lytras
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - E Triantafillou
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - A Mentis
- National Measles Reference Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - S Bonovas
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - T Panagiotopoulos
- Department of Child Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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Pervanidou D, Horefti E, Patrinos S, Lytras T, Triantafillou E, Mentis A, Bonovas S, Panagiotopoulos T. Spotlight on measles 2010: ongoing measles outbreak in Greece, January-July 2010. Euro Surveill 2010; 15:19629. [PMID: 20684816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A measles outbreak (126 reported cases to date) has been ongoing in Greece, since January 2010, originally related to the recent outbreak in Bulgaria. Cases are mostly unvaccinated, and mainly belong to three groups: Roma population of Bulgarian nationality, Greek Roma population, and Greek non-minority population. In these population groups, 67%, 95%, and 25% of cases respectively were children aged 0-14 years. Measures were taken to raise clinical awareness, and vaccination of specific population groups was undertaken. Policies are necessary to increase routine vaccination uptake of hard-to-reach groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pervanidou
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
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Polyzou A, Pournaras S, Dafni U, Sofianou D, Christeli E, Patrinos S, Tsakris A. Sero epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis immune responses in a healthy population in northern Greece. J Clin Lab Anal 2004; 18:211-4. [PMID: 15103688 PMCID: PMC6807800 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.20025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A seroepidemiological study was conducted on a representative sample of the northern Greek population (healthy individuals, age range=1 day to 80 years) to assess the prevalence of antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA). Antibody concentrations were significantly elevated with age (analysis of variance (ANOVA), P<0.001). In addition, a significant increase in antibody levels was detected in subjects >50 years old compared to children aged 5-10 years (post-hoc Scheffe analysis, P=0.007). These data suggest that pertussis occurs frequently in Greek adults, and that sometimes a fifth booster vaccine dose is not given after the second year of life. Routine revaccination with the acellular vaccine for children >4 years of age, adolescents, and adults should be considered in order to ensure effective protection of the whole population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Polyzou
- Department of Microbiology, Hippokration University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S. Pournaras
- Department of Microbiology, Hippokration University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - U. Dafni
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - D. Sofianou
- Department of Microbiology, Hippokration University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - E. Christeli
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S. Patrinos
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - A. Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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