Factors associated with HCV test uptake in heroin users entering substitution treatment in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: People who inject drugs (PWID) represent the main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in most middle and high-income countries. Testing PWID is considered as an important prevention measure. Identification of PWID characteristics associated with HCV testing may contribute to strategies targeting the containment of the HCV and HIV epidemics in Greece. METHODS: Anonymous behavioural data from 2747 heroin users were collected upon entry in 38 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics in Greece during the period 2013-2015. HCV test uptake was the dependent variable while covariates included sociodemographic and addiction-related variables, mostly derived from the EMCDDA treatment demand indicator protocol. RESULTS: Among 2299 cases with complete data on HCV testing, 83.5% reported any HCV testing uptake, with 61.2% reporting a recent test (< 12 months). In the multivariate analyses, any previous HCV testing uptake was associated with age ≥ 25 years, past drug treatment attempt, injecting or sniffing the primary substance, injection history ≥ 5 years, and syringe sharing earlier than the past 12 months. Past HCV test uptake was higher among those reporting full-time employment and 2-4 years injecting histories, and lower among residents of Athens. Recent testing was positively associated with female gender and polysubstance use. CONCLUSION: Any previous HCV testing uptake is high among PWID entering OST in Greece and is associated with older age, longer injecting histories and past drug-related treatment attempts. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the ongoing HCV test epidemic among PWID in Greece should combine treatment with scaling up of screening, targeting especially those younger than 25 years and at the beginning of their hazardous use.

Consumo de alcohol y problemas relacionados con el alcohol en Grecia / The situation of alcohol use and abuse in Greece

Objetivo: Este artículo analiza los datos del recientemente creado Sistema Nacional Griego de Vigilancia del Alcohol, desarrollado por el Punto Focal Griego, instituto de salud mental. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una revisión y visión de conjunto de la situación del alcohol en Grecia. Material y métodos: La recogida de datos se ha realizado por el Punto Focal Griego en colaboración con las agencies y fuentes de información relacionadas con el alcohol en Grecia. Éstas incluyen: a) la base de datos electrónica sobre aspectos legales NOMOS; b) las encuestas nacionales a población general y escolar; c) los organismos y centros que desarrollan actividades asistenciales y de prevención, y e) el Laboratorio Toxicológico Nacional. Resultados: La información sobre la situación del alcohol y los problemas relacionados con el alcohol en Grecia es limitada. Sin embargo, existe un creciente interés y preocupación gubernamental por este tema, como lo muestra las acciones legislativas llevadas a cabo y la mayor disponibilidad de recursos asistenciales. Conclusiones: El sistema de vigilancia existente debe mejorarse e incrementarse. Con el fin de tener una mejor visión de conjunto del fenómeno, es necesaria una mayor colaboración con otras agencias y fuentes de información, así como una mejor información procedente de las fuentes individuales de información

Objective: This paper presents data from the newly established national alcohol monitoring system in Greece, developed by the Greek REITOX Focal Point ­ University Mental Health Research Institute. The objective of the paper is to give an overview of the situation of alcohol-related issues in Greece. Material and methods: Collection and/or compilation of data have been carried out by the Greek Focal Point in collaboration with the agencies and sources of information that deal with alcohol in Greece. These include: a) the NOMOS electronic legal database; b) the general population and student population nationwide epidemiological surveys; c) preventive and treatment agencies; d) Traffic police; and e) General State Chemical Laboratory. Results: The approach to the situation of alcohol-related issues in Greece is piecemeal. However, there is a growing government concern over alcohol issues as demonstrated by actions taken within the framework of legislation and treatment facilities. Conclusions: The existing monitoring system must be extended. In order to have the full picture of the phenomenon, close collaboration with more agencies/sources of information is needed, as well as a synthesis of results from individual sources

Nutrition-related habits of Greek adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nutrition-related habits of Greek school-aged adolescents. DESIGN: Epidemiological survey. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The study was part of the Health Behavior in School Aged Children (HBSC) survey. A representative sample of school-aged adolescents aged 11.5, 13.5, and 15.5 y was obtained. The final sample consisted of 4211 students (51.6% girls and 48.4% boys). They were asked to complete a translated form of the international HBSC questionnaire, including several thematic entities. The Unhealthy Food Choices Score (UFCS) was devised in order to evaluate the overall quality of reported eating habits of respondents; the higher the score, the lower the diet quality. RESULTS: Among all students surveyed, 14.7% were reported to be on a diet to lose weight (girls: 19.5%; boys: 9.7%; P<0.001), and 22.9% were dissatisfied with their body weight but not on a diet. Girls were found to have lower UFCS values compared to boys (24.7 +/- 4.6 vs 24.1 +/- 4.5, P<0.001). Girls dissatisfied with their weight, but not on a diet, showed the highest UFCS values compared to both those on a diet and those not on a diet. TV viewing was positively associated with the consumption of sodas, crisps, cakes and pastries, and sweets and chocolates. CONCLUSIONS: Dieting is becoming a major problem, especially among older girls. The findings of this study suggest that eating habits of Greek school-aged adolescents are in the process of changing from more traditional to more Westernized ones.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Greek school-aged children and adolescents.

The aim of the present study, which was part of the Health Behavior in School Aged Children (HBSC) study, was to provide national estimates for overweight and obesity in Greek school-aged children and adolescents. A nationwide multistage procedure was followed to obtain a representative sample of children and adolescents aged 11.5, 13.5 and 15.5 y. The resultant sample consisted of 4299 students, 51.3% girls and 48.7% boys. Self-reported weight and height data were used. According to the body mass index cutoff points adopted by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), 9.1% of girls and 21.7% of boys were classified as overweight, and 1.2% of girls and 2.5% of boys as obese. Corresponding values using CDC growth charts were 8.1% of girls and 18.8% of boys for overweight, and 1.7% of girls and 5.8% of boys for obese. Compared to most other western countries, the prevalence of obesity is lower in Greek children aged 11-16 y.

Substance use among high school students in Greece: outburst of illicit drug use in a society under change.

Trends in self-reported substance use in surveys of Greek adolescent students show that regular tobacco smoking increased in 1998 (20.8%) after having fallen between 1984 (22%) and 1993 (14.6%). Frequent alcohol consumption decreased in 1998 to 12.1%, from around 15% in both previous surveys. A sharp increase was observed in illicit drug use from 6% in 1993 to 13.7% in 1998. Unprescribed use of psychoactive medicines continued to decrease steadily from 53.8% in 1984 to 31.8% in 1998. Perceived availability and risks of cannabis parallel trends in use. Policy measures and recent sociocultural changes seem to influence illicit use.