Investigation of Women's Knowledge and Beliefs About Cervical Cancer and Cervical Smear Examination: A Survey Study in Greece.

Aim This study aimed to investigate women's knowledge and beliefs about cervical cancer and cervical smear examinations. Methodology The research was conducted at a health center in Greece from May 15, 2023, to August 15, 2023. The study sample consisted of 160 women aged 21-65 years who attended the health center.

Strict vegetarian diet and pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The increasing adoption of strict vegetarian diets during pregnancy has raised concerns about their effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of strict vegetarian diets on key pregnancy outcomes, including neonatal birth weight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain (GWG).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search across multiple databases yielded eight studies from various countries, involving a total of 72,284 participants.

Quality of Life Among Natural Menopausal Women and Early Surgical Menopausal Women: A Study from Greece.

Background/objectives: The general health and well-being of middle-aged women have become a major public health issue worldwide. More than 80% of women experience physical or psychological symptoms during the transition to menopause. This study aims to compare the effect of menopause on quality of life (QOL) in two groups of women undergoing natural and surgical menopause.

Bloodstream Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Bloodstream infections represent a significant concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), constituting a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. This study aimed to elucidate the etiology, prevalence, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bloodstream infections in NICU settings. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines using the PubMed database to source relevant studies published between 2019 and 2023.

Perinatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Its Association with the Maternal and Offspring Microbiome: A Systematic Review.

Background: The human microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms, significantly influences human health and disease. During critical periods like the perinatal phase, the microbiome undergoes significant changes, impacting lifelong health. Tobacco smoke, a known environmental pollutant, has adverse effects on health, particularly during pregnancy.

Pantoea agglomerans Infection in Neonates: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

, a gram-negative bacterium, has emerged as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly within neonatal healthcare settings. Initially perceived as an innocuous environmental contaminant, has been increasingly implicated in a spectrum of clinical infections, including neonatal sepsis and bacteremia. This systematic review conducts an in-depth analysis of the clinical cases published in 2003-2023, elucidating the multifaceted clinical presentations and therapeutic challenges associated with infections in neonates.

The Associations of Perceived Self-Efficacy with Emotional Intelligence, Personality, Resilience, and Attitudes Towards Death among Midwives.

Midwives' self-efficacy can significantly affect the provided care and, therefore, maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations of perceived self-efficacy with emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and attitudes towards death among midwives in Greece. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 348 midwives were recruited in this descriptive cross-sectional study.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often referred to as kala-azar, is quite rare in developed countries during pregnancy. Only few studies have evaluated its impact on perinatal outcome. It is caused primarily by or and presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations from cutaneous ulcers to multisystem disease.

Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase as a Biomarker of Neonatal Brain Injury-New Perspectives for the Identification of Preterm Neonates at High Risk for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage.

Neonatal brain injury (NBI) is a critical condition for preterm neonates with potential long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This prospective longitudinal case-control study aimed at investigating the levels and prognostic value of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) during the first 3 days of life in preterm neonates (<34 weeks) that later developed brain injury in the form of either periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) during their hospitalization. Participants were recruited from one neonatal intensive care unit, and on the basis of birth weight and gestational age, we matched each case ( = 29) with a neonate who had a normal head ultrasound scan ( = 29).

The Relationship between Attitudes toward Death and Emotional Intelligence, Personality, Resilience, and Justice Beliefs: A Cross-Sectional Study of Midwives in Greece.

Midwifery practice inevitably includes miscarriages, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between attitudes toward death and emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and justice beliefs among midwives in Greece. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 348 midwives employed in public hospitals, in regional health authorities, or as independent professionals.

Psychometric properties of the research competencies assessment instrument for nurses (RCAIN) in Greece.

Background And Purpose: Evidence-based practice can improve quality of care and patient and system outcomes. Healthcare professionals need certain research competencies to achieve evidence-based practice. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the self-reported 19-item (RCAIN) with Greek.

Cannabis use during pregnancy and its effect on the fetus, newborn and later childhood: A systematic review.

Introduction: Cannabis and its derivatives are becoming increasingly popular in women's preferences during pregnancy in order to relieve nausea. The present study examines cannabis use during pregnancy and its effects on the fetus, newborn and later childhood.

Methods: All primary studies were searched in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline during the period June 2019 to August 2020.

Temporal Trends in Stillbirth in Greece: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Stillbirths are a major public health issue and a key population health indicator. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate and present time trends in stillbirth in Greece.

Methods: Data on all live births and stillbirths were derived from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, covering a 65-year period from 1957 to 2021 and the annual stillbirth rate (SBR) was calculated, defined as the number of stillbirths per 1,000 live births and stillbirths (total births).

Medication Intake as a Factor for Non-Initiation and Cessation of Breastfeeding: A Prospective Cohort Study in Greece during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Pharmacological treatment may become a barrier for a mother's breastfeeding goals. We aimed to investigate maternal medication intake as a factor for non-initiation and cessation of breastfeeding and the effect of professional counseling on maternal decision-making. Throughout 2020, 847 women were recruited from five healthcare institutions.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Related Determinants of Hesitancy among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Mass vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary to control the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines are now recommended during pregnancy to prevent the disease. A systematic review of the literature in the electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE was performed and we aimed to investigate the attitude of documents towards COVID-19 vaccination and the prognostic factors of vaccination hesitation.

Investigation of Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge of Evidence-Based Clinical Practices for Preterm Neonatal Skin Care-A Pilot Study.

Neonatal skin care practices are considered crucial for a neonate's survival and are closely related to healthcare professionals' (HPs) knowledge and skills in delivering scientifically valid neonatal care interventions. In this descriptive cross-sectional pilot study, conducted in 2022, we aimed to assess HPs' basic theoretical knowledge of neonatal vernix caseosa, skin microbiota, and bathing as well as knowledge regarding evidence-based clinical practices (referred to as "clinical knowledge") for preterm neonatal skin care. Eligible participants were neonatologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, midwives and nurses working in the Greek setting.

Frequency and Determinants of Breastfeeding in Greece: A Prospective Cohort Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Breastfeeding is considered to be the cornerstone of child health. In Europe however, overall breastfeeding rates remain low. The present study aimed at estimating the frequency of breastfeeding in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic period and comparing findings with the latest national study in order to identify a potential impact of the pandemic.

EU ambition to build the world's leading bioeconomy-Uncertain times demand innovative and sustainable solutions.

This article outlines the current context and the development of the European Bioeconomy Strategy. It analyses the current situation, challenges and needs for EU action and concludes with the next steps that the European Commission will undertake to review and update the Bioeconomy Strategy. Bioeconomy offers great opportunities to realising a competitive, circular and sustainable economy with a sound industrial base that is less dependent on fossil carbon.

Attitudes and behaviours of Greeks concerning blood donation: recruitment and retention campaigns should be focused on need rather than altruism.

Background: Blood supplies in Greece are insufficient to meet the high transfusion needs arising from car accidents and treatment of thalassaemia. This study was designed to determine Greeks' opinions about blood donation, in order to identify the reasons for the lack of motivation to donate and allow experts to establish better recruitment campaigns for the enrichment of the donor pool, based on our findings.

Materials And Methods: The opinions of randomly selected Greek citizens (n=800) about volunteer blood donation were assessed by means of a standardised, anonymous questionnaire.