Doctors' Perceptions and Practices of Breaking Bad News: A Qualitative Study From Greece.

There is limited information about doctors' communication behaviors and their salient beliefs with regard to bad news disclosure in Greece. In this qualitative study we investigated the self-reported practices of doctors on breaking bad news, their perceptions about the factors affecting the delivery of such news, and their beliefs about the most appropriate disclosure manner. A focus group discussion and individual interviews were conducted.

Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in Greece before and during the financial crisis: the impact of social disparities.

Background: Economic crises may have a significant impact on public health. The objective of this study was to assess trends in health-related behaviours and cardiovascular risk factors within Greece before, at the beginning and during the current financial crisis by comparing data from three waves of the Greek cross-sectional household 'Hellas Health' surveys.

Methods: Data from three waves were analysed.

Adolescents' multiple, recurrent subjective health complaints: investigating associations with emotional/behavioural difficulties in a cross-sectional, school-based study.

Background: Adolescence has been documented as the peak age of onset for mental health perturbations, clinical disorders and unsubstantiated health complaints. The present study attempted to investigate associations between multiple, recurrent subjective health complaints (SHC) with emotional/behavioural difficulties, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scale (SDQ), among Greek adolescents.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered in a large, nation-wide, random, school-based sample of Greek adolescents, aged 12-18 years.

Early childhood educators' perceptions of preschoolers' mental health problems: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Early childhood education services create potentially optimal opportunities to identify and respond effectively to preschoolers' mental health problems. However, little is known about the knowledge, skills and competencies of early childhood educators in the area of mental health. The present study aimed to contribute to this field through conducting focus group interviews with professionals from public early childhood education centres in Greece.

The role of perceived well-being in the family, school and peer context in adolescents' subjective health complaints: evidence from a Greek cross-sectional study.

Background: During adolescence children are usually confronted with an expanding social arena. Apart from families, schools and neighbourhoods, peers, classmates, teachers, and other adult figures gain increasing importance for adolescent socio-emotional adjustment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which Greek adolescents' perceived well-being in three main social contexts (family, school and peers) predicted self-reported Subjective Health Complaints.

Selected family characteristics are associated with adolescents' subjective health complaints.

Aim: This national study of schoolchildren in Greece investigated the association between adolescents' subjective health complaints (SHC) and a number of family characteristics.

Methods: Questionnaires were completed by a random, school-based sample of children from 12 to 18 years of age, and one of their parents (76.6% mothers), in 2003.

5-Year trends in the intention to quit smoking amidst the economic crisis and after recently implemented tobacco control measures in Greece.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to explore the trends in the intention to quit smoking among adults in Greece between 2006 and 2011, a period characterized by financial instability and newly endorsed tobacco control initiatives.

Methods: Trend analysis of 3 representative national and cross-sectional surveys, 'Hellas Health I' (2006), "Hellas Health III" (2010) and Hellas Health IV (2011).

Results: Since 2006, the intention to quit smoking has significantly increased among both genders (33.

Prevalence and determinants of SHS exposure in public and private areas after the 2010 smoke-free legislation in Greece.

The objective of the present survey was to assess the extent and socio-economic determinants of population exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in Greece in 2011. The national household survey Hellas Health IV was conducted in October 2011. SHS exposure was based on self-reported exposure within home, workplace and public places.

Sociodemographic determinants in preventive tests for cardiovascular diseases in a representative sample of the adult Greek population.

Objectives: The purpose of the current study is to investigate the use of preventive healthcare services by the adult Greek population and the factors that determine such use.

Methods: Data were obtained from a national household survey (Hellas Health I) conducted during 2006. The survey population consisted of 1,005 individuals, with a mean age of 47.

Validity and reliability assessment of health belief scales for mammography screening in Greek asymptomatic women.

Objective: The purpose was to assess the validity and reliability of health belief model variables (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy beliefs) that are often the target of mammography screening interventions.

Methods: Based on Champion's health belief model scales, questionnaire data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 408 Greek women, 40 years of age or older and with no personal history of cancer.

Results: Using confirmatory factor analysis, we found all items to load significantly on their respective factors.

Identifying the sociodemographic determinants of subjective health complaints in a cross-sectional study of Greek adolescents.

Background: Experience of common health symptoms without a clear physical or psychological cause, such as headache or dizziness, is often reported in adolescence. The present study attempted to investigate associations of self-reported subjective health complaints (SHC) with a number of sociodemographic factors of Greek adolescents.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nationwide random school-based sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and their parents in 2003.

Reliability and validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 health-related quality of life questionnaire in a Greek adolescent population.

Background: The KIDSCREEN-52 is a worldwide instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to assess reliability and validity of the Greek version of KIDSCREEN.

Methods: Questionnaires were collected from a representative nationwide sample of 1,194 adolescents aged from 11 to 17 years.

Health beliefs and illness perceptions as related to mammography uptake in randomly selected women in Greece.

Previous research has shown that, although routine mammography screening can reduce mortality from breast cancer, the use of annual mammography screening remains well under 65%. In an effort to determine the factors that are associated with women's mammography behaviors, this study used the health belief model and the common-sense model of self-regulation as the theoretical frameworks to explore health beliefs, illness representations, and women's mammography practice. Data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 408 Greek women, 40 years of age or older, with no personal history of cancer.

Sociodemographic and socioeconomic determinants of health services utilization in Greece: the Hellas Health I study.

The purpose of the study was to estimate the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of utilization of the Greek primary and hospital health care services. Data were obtained from the cross-sectional nationwide household survey Hellas Health I (2006). The sample (N = 1005) was representative of the Greek adult population in terms of age and residency, and was selected by means of a three-stage, proportional-to-size sampling design.

The role of the non-smoker in enforcing smoke-free laws.

Compliance with laws making certain environments smoke free has focused mainly on smokers' behavior, while the role of non-smokers has scarcely been investigated. Our cross-sectional study interviewed 4043 adults (2037 smokers and 2006 non-smokers) in the general population of Greece during April 2009. Non-smokers reported that they would actively work for compliance with the law.

Emotional, behavioural problems and cigarette smoking in adolescence: findings of a Greek cross-sectional study.

Background: Although several studies have reported findings concerning the association between smoking and emotional/behavioural problems, little research has investigated this association after controlling for confounding factors which have been found to be significantly correlated with both cigarette smoking and emotional/behavioural problems and may have a strong effect on the relationship between adolescents' mental health and smoking. The present study attempted to assess the association between adolescents' smoking status and their emotional/behavioural problems after controlling for a number of possible confounders (i.e.

Reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MOS-HIV health survey in HIV-infected individuals.

Objectives: This study was intended to present evidence for the reliability and validity of a Greek translation of the Medical Outcomes Study-HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV).

Design: Sample consisted of 154 HIV-positive men and women, regardless of disease stage, who are being followed at the department of Infectious Diseases of a tertiary hospital of Athens, Greece.

Methods: The translated Greek version of the MOS-HIV instrument, a brief, comprehensive 35-item health-related quality of life questionnaire, was used to assess ten dimensions of health including overall quality of life, pain, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, mental health, energy/fatigue, cognitive function, health distress, and health transition.

Adolescents' wellbeing and functioning: relationships with parents' subjective general physical and mental health.

Background: This study aimed at examining the relationship between parental subjective health status and adolescents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as the role of gender, socioeconomic status, presence of chronic health care needs and social support on the above interaction.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1,194) aged 11-18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. Adolescents' and parents' status was assessed, together with reports of socio-economic status and level of social support.

The factor structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in Greek adolescents.

Background: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a practical, economic and user-friendly screening instrument of emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents. This study was aimed primarily at evaluating the factor structure of the Greek version of the SDQ.

Methods: A representative nationwide sample of 1,194 adolescents (11 to 17 years old) completed the questionnaire.

Adolescent health care use: investigating related determinants in Greece.

The frequency of health care use is crucial for adolescent well-being and health systems. The present study was the first to test a set of variables in a representative sample of Greek adolescents in order to identify factors that predict health care use and contribute to improving health service planning. Questionnaires were administered to a random sample of adolescents (N=1 194) aged 11-18 years and their parents (N=973) in 2003.

Use of cancer screening services in Greece and associated social factors: results from the nation-wide Hellas Health I survey.

This study estimated the rates of age-appropriate screening practices for breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer within the general population in Greece and explored the influences of social factors on their use. Data were based on the cross-sectional Hellas Health I survey (2006) conducted on a representative sample of 1005 adults, aged 18-69 years. The percentage of women aged 21-69 years having received the papanicolaou smear test within the past 3 years was 59.

Screening for children's depression symptoms in Greece: the use of the Children's Depression Inventory in a nation-wide school-based sample.

The objective of this study is to determine the level of depressive symptoms among a sample of Greek children aged 8-12 years, as measured by the Greek Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), as well as to examine CDI's psychometric properties. A nationwide school-based sample of 650 children was initially recruited and depressive symptoms were assessed with the CDI among 538 children who provided all relevant information. Statistical evaluation included assessment of CDI internal reliability, test-retest reliability, determination of age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES) effects.

Relationship between basic protective health behaviours and health related quality of life in Greek urban hospital employees.

Objective: The study aimed to explore the association between the presence of several protective health behaviors and physical and mental wellbeing/functioning among healthy hospital employees in Greece.

Method: A randomly selected representative sample of 395 employees working in seven hospitals, both public and private, within the wider region of Athens participated in the study. Participants were assigned to the following professional categories: administrative, auxiliary and technical personnel, medical doctors and nurses.

Measuring health-related quality of life in Greek children: psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory(TM) 4.0 Generic Core Scales.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory(TM) 4.0 (PedsQL(TM) 4.0) as a population health outcome measure.

Health education for youth.

Recent surveys monitoring health behavior in children and adolescents in Europe, Canada and the USA are reporting worrisome data in terms of health-risk behavior. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods in life for taking preventive measures, since this is the time when health-related behavior and lifestyles have their beginnings. The present paper attempts to introduce the art and science of health education with the ultimate goal of stressing the fact that health and education are strongly associated.