Microbiological water quality assessment of swimming pools and jacuzzis in Northern Greece: a retrospective study.

Swimming pools and jacuzzis can pose significant public health risks as potential sources of infections. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and concentration of microbiological indicators in recreational water facilities in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, focusing on their hygiene status before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Between January 2018 and December 2022, 1114 water samples were analyzed by the regional Water Hygiene Laboratory at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, using standardized ISO methods.

Mapping Adult Vaccine Confidence in Future Health Professionals: A Pilot Study among Undergraduate Students at Two Universities in Greece.

Health professionals' recommendations increase vaccine uptake. We aimed to document stances, practices regarding adult vaccination, and their predictors among undergraduate medical and biomedical science students, as well as their perspectives on increasing vaccine confidence. Among the 430 participants, third-year students from two universities in Greece, only 25.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Primary Health Care through 'health providers' eyes': Α qualitative study of focus groups and individual interviews in Greece.

Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) was the cornerstone of the pandemic response.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the positive and negative impact of the pandemic, during its final wave, through 'PHC providers' eyes', as well as their recommendations towards restructuring and enhancing PHC services.

Methods: A two-phase qualitative study was conducted, pursuing data triangulation from Focus Groups (FGs) and individual, semi-structured interviews for the purposes of data completeness and confirmation (summer 2022 and spring 2023, respectively).

Exploring Perceptions and Practices Regarding Adult Vaccination against Seasonal Influenza, Tetanus, Pneumococcal Disease, Herpes Zoster and COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Study in Greece.

We aimed to document vaccination coverage for five vaccines, predictors of each vaccine's uptake and attitudes regarding adult vaccination. Adults visiting four pharmacies were randomly invited to participate during summer 2022. Among 395 participants (mean age 51.

Adherence to the DASH Diet and Risk of Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the level of adherence to the DASH diet on hypertension risk by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed. Two independent investigators performed the study selection, data abstraction, and assessment of the included studies.

High Versus Low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet for Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT-2) presents with a growing incidence, and its complications contribute mainly to cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. DMT-2 prevention and early stage management include lifestyle modification by adopting healthy eating patterns and increasing physical activity levels. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with beneficial effects on human health and has been found effective for preventing and managing DMT-2.

Under-Vaccination in Adults: Qualitative Insights Into Perceived Barriers Reported by Vaccine Supporters, Undecided and Refuters.

Although vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of preventing disease, vaccine hesitancy has been included among the ten threats of global health. Addressing low adult vaccination rates requires an adequate understanding of people's views. We explored perceived barriers to immunization among under-vaccinated adults to identify potential differences among vaccine supporters, refuters, and those who are undecided.

Malnutrition surveillance among refugee children living in reception centres in Greece: a pilot study.

Background: The health of asylum seekers is of cardinal importance for the future health of Europe. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess malnutrition prevalence among refugee children living in reception areas in northern Greece.

Methods: A total of 192 refugee children (1-18 y old), inhabitants of the refugee reception centres in Drama and Kavala, were evaluated for acute and chronic malnutrition according to the WHO growth standards and charts.

Molecular detection of Helicobacter pylori in a large Mediterranean river, by direct viable count fluorescent in situ hybridization (DVC-FISH).

Although the precise route and mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori are still unclear, molecular methods have been applied for the detection of H. pylori in environmental samples. In this study, we used the direct viable count fluorescent in situ hybridization (DVC-FISH) method to detect viable cells of H.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in raw bovine milk by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

The transmission pathways of Helicobacter pylori in humans have not been fully elucidated. Research in the last decade has proposed that foodborne transmission, among others, may be a plausible route of human infection. Owing to the organism's fastidious growth characteristics and its ability to convert to viable, yet unculturable states upon exposure to stress conditions, the detection of H.

The quality of safety reporting in trials is still suboptimal: survey of major general medical journals.

Objective: To evaluate whether the quality of reporting harms improved after the publication of the Extension of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and predictors that influence the safety reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

Study Design And Setting: Systematic survey of published RCTs assessing drugs. In MEDLINE, we identified 228 RCTs published in Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, Journal of American Medical Association, The Lancet, and The New England Journal of Medicine in 2003 and 2006.

Results: The reporting of harms have improved over time both in quality and extent of space.

Cigarette smoking among adolescents in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Objectives: Epidemiological characteristics in tobacco smoking among adolescents were investigated in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Methods: The target sample was 1,221 students coming from 15 high schools.

Results: Cigarette smoking was higher among girls than boys (40.

Decreasing prevalence of alcohol consumption among greek adolescents.

Aim Of This Study: To obtain data on alcohol consumption among school children of secondary education and to investigate any correlation to their health behaviors and parental socioeconomic status.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to students from a representative sample of 15 schools from Thessaloniki, the second (after Athens) largest metropolitan city of Greece. A total of 1185 students (505 males, 680 females) participated.