Despite the well-known health risks, smoking is still highly prevalent worldwide. Greece has the highest level of adult smoking rate (40%) across the European Union. We investigated gender and socio-economic differences in daily smoking and smoking cessation among Greek adults. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between October and November 2009 in 434 adults residing in a Greek rural area. Data were collected with the use of the World Health Organization Global Adult Tobacco Survey (WHO GATS) Core Questionnaire. Respondents were classified into smokers (if they had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and continued to smoke) or non-smokers. Overall, 58.1% (n=252) were smokers (58.5% male, n=127 and 57.8% female, n=125); 51.2% (n=222) were younger than 18 years-old when they started smoking. Men tended to start smoking at a younger age, to smoke more cigarettes/day and to have smoked a greater average of cigarettes during the last 5 days. Overall, 82.5% of smokers attempted to stop smoking a year prior to the study, with women having a greater difficulty in quitting smoking. The main source of information on smoking was the mass media (73.5%) and books (53.7%), whereas doctors and other health professionals were the least listed source of relative information (27.7 and 8.1%, respectively). Smoking rates among Greek adults were high, but a considerable number of individuals who smoked, wished to quit and had attempted to do so. Smoking cessation clinics are not perceived as a valuable support in quitting effort.

IntroductionPSP scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the functioning of patients with with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI).ObjectivesTo assess PSP performance in patients with SPMI.AimsRelapse prevention and maintenance of social functioning in the long-term management of SPMI.MethodsAssessments were made at the local CMHC on June, September and December 2009. Clinical and demographic characteristics were recorded.44 patients’ function per each domain was rated at six levels.The impact on total PSP scores of the following variables was examined (random intercept model): type of medication, gender, age, marital status, professional status, residence location, everyday living, follow-up visits and time under treatment.ResultsThe sample included 35. 80% male, 75% unmarried, 89% pensioners, 82% living with their families, 71% living in villages, 29% living in cities. Paranoid schizophrenia was the most frequent diagnosis.Statistically significant improvement from baseline to month 3 was showed for self care, personal and social relations subscales of PSP scale. Socially useful actions stabilized between month 3 and month 6, as well.The mean PSP scores increased from baseline to month 3 by 4.0 units (p = 0.012) and then stabilized. The mean score changed from month 3 to month 6 by approximately 0.1 units (P = 1.00).ConclusionThe functioning of patients with SPMI improved over time due to the monitoring by trained physicians and caregivers.The advices offered from the treating physicians towards functioning maintenance seemed to improve patients’ functioning.

IntroductionOlder people in Greece enjoy the lowest incidence and mortality due to falls possibly due to genetic/environmental factors; it has not been adequately explored, however, whether a stronger sense of coherence (SOC) may be associated with better health outcomes.ObjectiveTo examine the association of SOC with fall incidence among older people and present the process of the study design and implementation.Materials and MethodsThe initiative was undertaken by a doctoral student of Aristotle University in consultation with CEREPRI. Alternative methodological designs ensuring study quality and high participation as contrasted to the limited financial and scientific resources available were evaluated. An Internet search was undertaken to compile a list of instruments for a local population-tailored study. Selected tools were pilot-tested, if already validated and the minimum sample size was calculated.Results300 individuals aged ≤65 years, enrolled in the community-based state organisations for older people and residing in 10 villages are planned to consent for a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview addressing demographics, health status and recent history of falls as well as the SOC-29 scale, the Berg Balance Scale/Test and the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale. Barriers and facilitating factors of conducting research in adverse conditions of remote rural communities were also identified.ConclusionsGiven the population ageing, it is imperative to focus research on factors potentially affecting functionality and well-being among older people; sharing experience in research designs and implementation when exploring the interrelation of SOC and falls may proven essential in preventing falls and improve health outcomes.