Development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate attitudes and beliefs of discrimination by nursing staff.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The purpose of this study is to report on the development and initial psychometric testing of a questionnaire to investigate nurses' discrimination attitudes and beliefs towards people of dif f erent ethnic origins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The initial stage involved the selection of the questions of the tool after a comprehensive evaluation of the relevant international literature and the tools used in previous related studies. The reliability (forward-backward translation) of the questions was assessed, along with the content, face, and structure. To conduct the study, which was carried out from 07/2021 to 01/2022 a sample consisting of 30 and 2,034 nurses and their assistants was used for the pilot and the fi nal research, respectively. RESULTS: Results: Given that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) threshold value of 0.89 was achieved, the sample was considered sufficient and appropriate for factor analysis. A statistically signif i cant result (p<0.001) from Bartlett's test indicated a substantial connection between the questions and conf i rmed that the data were suitable for factor analysis. Twenty statements altogether, with seven possible answers ranging from "totally disagree" to "completely agree," were included in the questionnaire. For the questions, three distinct factors - communication, difficulties, and discrimination - were shown to account for 47.1% of the variability. Reliability analyzes showed satisfactory Cronbach alpha coefficient scores for all factors, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that the questionnaire we developed is a legitimate and trustworthy instrument for evaluating professional nurses' discriminatory attitudes and beliefs toward individuals from various ethnic backgrounds. The questionnaire can be used to help design interventions to end discrimination, guarantee equitable access to healthcare services, and provide high-quality care for individuals from diverse backgrounds. It can also be used to identify the factors that inf l uence nurses' attitudes and perceptions toward these patient populations.

Assessment of the relation between depression, frailty, nutrition and quality of life among older adults: findings from a cross-sectional study in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) among older adults is a crucial aspect of geriatric care, particularly in the context of global demographic shifts toward ageing societies. Understanding the determinants of QOL in older adults is essential for developing effective interventions to promote well-being in this population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted in Greece aimed to investigate the complex relationship between depression, frailty, nutritional status, and QOL on 90 older adults (aged ≤65). Assessment instruments including the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL)-BREF questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were utilised to evaluate various dimensions of QOL, depressive symptoms, frailty, and nutritional status. RESULTS: The study revealed significant negative correlations between depression and frailty with all domains of QOL (P < 0.05), indicating that higher levels of depressive symptoms and frailty were associated with lower QOL across physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions. Conversely, positive correlations were found between nutritional status and all QOL domains (P < 0.05), suggesting that better nutritional status was linked to higher QOL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further demonstrated associations between nutritional status and participant characteristics, with females being more likely to be malnourished (odds ratio (OR) = 6.56, P = 0.013), while better health status (OR = 0.34, P = 0.486) and marital status (OR = 0.02, P = 0.019) were protective against malnutrition. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the interconnectedness of depression, frailty, and nutritional status in shaping QOL among individuals. Holistic interventions targeting mental health, physical vulnerability, and nutritional well-being are essential for promoting overall well-being and functional outcomes in this population.

Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: As heart failure (HF) patients face increased vulnerability to respiratory infections, optimizing pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage becomes pivotal for mitigating additional health risks and reducing hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality rates within this population. In this specific subpopulation of patients, vaccination coverage for pneumococcal and influenza holds heightened significance compared to other vaccines due to their susceptibility to respiratory infections, which can exacerbate existing cardiovascular conditions and lead to severe complications or even death. However, despite the recognized benefits, vaccination coverage among HF patients remains below expectations. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcus in HF patients from 2005 to 2023 and the vaccination's effects on survival and hospitalizations. Methods: The authors developed the protocol of the review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and the search was performed in databases including PubMed and Scopus. After the initial search, 851 studies were found in PubMed Library and 1961 in Scopus (total of 2812 studies). Results: After the initial evaluation, 23 publications were finally included in the analysis. The total study population consisted of 6,093,497 participants. Regarding the influenza vaccine, vaccination coverage ranged from low rates of 2.5% to very high rates of 97%, while the respective pneumococcal vaccination coverage ranged from 20% to 84.6%. Most studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of vaccination on survival and hospitalizations. Conclusions: The present systematic review study showed a wide variety of vaccination coverage among patients with heart failure.

Parents' attitudes, perceptions and coping strategies regarding school bullying.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to record parents' knowledge and attitudes towards bullying experienced by their children and to explore the strategies they choose to manage bullying incidents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population consisted of parents of children who have experienced bullying in a primary or secondary school classroom. The "Parents' Strategies to Cope with Bullying" questionnaire was used to collect data. Regarding parents' coping with bullying, the strategy "Support and advice to the child" scored the highest and the strategy "Social support and information" the next highest. RESULTS: Of the parents, 44.3 % had received some information/education regarding the phenomenon of bullying with the most important source of information being reading. According to the results of multivariate linear regression, mothers more often applied the strategy "social support and information" (Coefficient b=0.9, 95 % CI for b=0.7 to 1.1, p<0.001) and parents with lower educational level more often applied the strategy "avoidance" (Coefficient b=-0.5, 95 % CI for b=-0.8 to -0.2, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: School bullying remains a major worldwide phenomenon over time. Although parents choose to support their children, they do not receive information and training on how to manage bullying from a formal institution, making the need for such programs imperative.

Investigation of Health-Related Quality of Life, Anxiety and Satisfaction in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND: Features of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety may be present in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients, along with impaired quality of life (QoL). We aim to evaluate health-related QoL, anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with PE. METHODS: Patients with PE were enrolled during their follow-up. All participants completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) X1 and X2 forms, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: 92 PE patients were included (mean age ± SD = 62.50 ± 15.33 years, 56.5% males). The median values of the SF-36 subscales were below the corresponding values of the Greek general population (besides the mental health (MH) subscale). Mean STAIX1 levels were 37.05 ± 11.17 and mean STAIX2 levels were 39.80 ± 10.47. Mean SWLS levels were 23.31 ± 6.58. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the MH and general health subscales were predictive of SWLS levels (F (10.76) = 10.576, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.581). The MH score (ß = -0.242, p < 0.01) and STAIX1 level (ß = 0.312, p < 0.001) (F (9.77) = 26.445, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.756) were predictive of STAIX2. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PE exhibit slight satisfaction with life, borderline anxiety and impaired HRQoL.

A Mixed-Method Study on the Assessment of Factors Influencing Nurses' Provision of Spiritual Care.

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence nurses' beliefs about offering spiritual care. STUDY DESIGN: A mixed-method study design, incorporating both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative research, was used for this study (focus group discussion). METHODS: The questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of nurses and their assistants working in two public hospitals. These questionnaires included the Greek versions of the FACIT-Sp-12, SCIPS, NEO-FFI, and the Spiritual Climate Scale, as well as a specially designed questionnaire to gather demographic, socioeconomic, and professional information about the study population (SCS). Three nurses and two nursing assistants who worked in public hospitals and were chosen through purposive sampling made up the sample for the qualitative study. In utilizing inductive content analysis methodology, a qualitative analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Greek nurses frequently offer spiritual care to their patients, primarily existential spiritual care. It was discovered that the spiritual climate, the nurses' positive coherence, and their educational level all exert a favorable effect on total spiritual care. Three categories and seven subcategories were used to describe the participants' prior experiences with spiritual care. CONCLUSIONS: Greek nurses frequently offer spiritual care to their patients, and both internal and external factors influence their attitudes in this regard.

The impact of delirium on clinical and functional outcomes in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Delirium, which is prevalent in critical care settings, remains underexplored in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of delirium in patients with ACS admitted to the CICU. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study (n = 106, mean age 74.2 ± 5.7 years) assessed delirium using the confusion assessment method-intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) tool in 21.7% of ACS patients during their CICU stay. Baseline characteristics, geriatric conditions and clinical procedures were compared between delirious and nondelirious patients. The outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 30-day and 6-month mortality, acute adverse events and length of CICU stay and hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: Delirious patients who were older and had a higher incidence of coronary artery disease underwent more complex procedures (e.g., pacemaker placement). Multivariate analysis identified central venous catheter insertion, urinary catheterization and benzodiazepine use as independent predictors of delirium. Delirium was correlated with prolonged LOS (p < .001) and increased in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Delirium in ACS patients in the CICU extends hospitalization and increases in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality. Early recognition and targeted interventions are crucial for mitigating adverse outcomes in this high-risk population. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the critical impact of delirium on outcomes in hospitalized patients with ACS in the CICU. Delirium, often overlooked in ACS management, significantly extends hospitalization and increases mortality rates. Nurses and physicians must be vigilant in identifying delirium early, particularly in older ACS patients or those with comorbidities. Recognizing independent predictors such as catheterization and benzodiazepine use allows for targeted interventions to reduce delirium incidence. Integrating routine delirium assessments and preventive strategies into ACS management protocols can improve outcomes, optimize resource utilization and enhance overall patient care in the CICU setting.

Assessment of the Relationship between Fear of Cancer Recurrence, Spiritual Well-Being, and Mental Health among Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fear of cancer recurrence, spiritual well-being, and mental health among cancer patients. The study involved 217 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected with the following instruments: a demographic and clinical information recording form, the fear of cancer recurrence inventory, the Athens insomnia scale, the FACIT-Sp-12 scale for the assessment of spirituality, and the HADS scale for the assessment of mental health. For statistical analysis, SPSS statistical software was used, with the significance threshold set at 0.05;andtl number, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression tests were used. The sample consisted of 217 cancer patients with a mean age of 63.7 years (SD = 11.6 years), 39.2% male and 60.8% female. The minimum value on the scale of fear of cancer recurrence was 0 and the maximum was 33 points, with a mean value of 14.1 points (SD = 8.2 points). The hospital scale of anxiety and depression was correlated, both in the dimension of anxiety and in the dimension of depression, significantly and positively with the scale of fear of cancer recurrence. Thus, greater fear of recurrence was associated with greater anxiety and depression. On the contrary, the correlations of anxiety and depression with the dimensions and the overall chronic disease treatment rating scale were significant and negative. So, greater spiritual well-being, in each domain and overall, were associated with less anxiety and depression. Finally, less fear of cancer recurrence was associated with finding greater meaning in life, greater peace, and overall greater spiritual well-being. In summary, fear of cancer recurrence is a predictor of psychological distress in cancer patients. However, spirituality can prevent the development of mental illness and FCR.

The safety, health, and well-being of healthcare workers during COVID-19: A scoping review.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the safety and well-being of healthcare workers. A scoping review was conducted to highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the safety, health, and well-being of healthcare workers and to shed light on the concerns about their perceived safety and support systems. A literature search was conducted in three different databases from December 1, 2019, through July 20, 2022, to find publications that meet the aim of this review. Using search engines, 3087 articles were identified, and after a rigorous assessment by two reviewers, 30 articles were chosen for further analysis. Two themes emerged during the analysis: safety and health and well-being. The primary safety concern of the staff was mostly about contracting COVID-19, infecting family members, and caring for patients with COVID-19. During the pandemic, the health care workers appeared to have anxiety, stress, uncertainty, burnout, and a lack of sleep. Additionally, the review focused on the suggestions of health care providers to improve the safety and well-being of workers through fair organizational policies and practices and timely, individualized mental health care.

FEAR AND STIGMATIZATION IN THE GENERAL POPULATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the feeling of fear and stigmatization in the general population, during the pandemic. . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 1076 people attending a vaccination center in the Region of Argos, a prefecture of Peloponnese Region. The study was conducted from May 2021 to August 2021. In this study we used the Fear Investigation Scale(FCV-19S) and the COVID-19 Stigma scale. RESULTS: Results: A total of 1076 participants took part in the study. Vaccinated participants for Sars Cov-2 had higher levels of fear (U=117,569.00, p<0.001) and individuals with unspecified employment status had a higher level of fear compared to civil servants, pensioners, unemployed, private employees and freelancers (H = 17.225, p=0.004). Higher levels of fear were also seen by those who reported that they were uncertain that the COVID-19 pandemic was likely to be treated soon compared to those who believed it would be treated soon and those who did not believed this (H = 31.299, p<0.001). Vaccinated citizens showed a higher stigmatization rate of health professionals. Professional uncertainty and unemployment shows that they are a factor for increased fear. Strong social and family ties also indicate the reduced presence of stigmatization. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: An important imprint of the pandemic was the stigmatization of population's groups, such as health professionals, foreigners, as well as the infected by COVID-19. It is evident in society, that it was the fear of contracting the disease that contributed to stigmatization and isolation.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS NEEDED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC PATIENTS' NEEDS THROUGH TELECARE.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To identify the necessary competencies that future professionals must obtain in order to effectively manage patients with chronic conditions. We employed a multilayer review in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We applied three searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane using various terms in order to identify the necessary skills and competences needed for healthcare professionals to provide distance care in patients with chronic conditions. From the initial search, a total of 1008 studies were identified while 54 met the inclusion criteria and were retained for data extraction. After the review of the 54 studies, we grouped the proposed skills and competencies in eight major categories. Those groups were Clinical Knowledge, Critical Thinking Skills, Technological Skills, Clinical skills, Communication skills, Implementation skills, Professionalism and professional ethics, Evidence based Practice. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Although telehealth is gaining ground in healthcare practice and healthcare professionals possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective, and personalized care, additional specialized training is nevertheless required to provide telecare. Therefore, the integration of telehealth into various healthcare professions curricula - both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels - is required for the development of education and the dynamic development of healthcare.

CLINICAL AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICES OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PHYSICIANS IN ANTIBIOTICS PRESCRIBING IN GREECE.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To evaluate primary health physicians' clinical and behavioral practices towards antibiotics administration in a specific region in Greece. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire in all structures of primary health care (PHC) of the Peloponnese Region. The study was conducted in May-October 2020. RESULTS: Results: In total, 306 out of 404 primary healthcare physicians completed the questionnaire (response rate of 75.8%). Our results showed that most of physicians used to prescribing antibiotics empirically in common diseases, except for the prevention of secondary respiratory tract infection. Overall, 66.3% answered that they do not feel diagnostic uncertainty that would lead them to prescribe antibiotics. Approximately 40% of the physicians stated an increase on antibiotics use and patients demand for antibiotic prescribing, however 71.4% "rarely/never" affected by this requirement. 51.9% of the sample used to prescribed brand name antibiotics. Statistically significant differences were found between demographic and professional characteristics, and physicians' clinical and behavioral practices (p≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Our findings could provide decision makers with information on how to manage antibiotic prescribing in primary health care in the country, focusing mainly on the use of specific diagnostic tests as well as relevant guidelines and protocols for changing prescription behavior.

The Effect of Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies on Mental Health of Nurses.

INTRODUCTION: Nursing professional is considered to be stressful with impact on nurses' mental health. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coping strategies and psychological resilience on anxiety and depression among nurses. METHODS: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 378 nurses from two hospitals (a general and a psychiatric) in Greece completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25 (CD-RISC 25), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire for evaluating the depression, anxiety, psychological resilience, and coping strategies, respectively. The study was carried out between October and December of 2019. Statistical analysis was performed with JASP version 0.14.01 and significance for all statistical tests was set at 0.05 or less. RESULTS: Psychological resilience was significantly correlated with anxiety (r = -0.127, p = 0.014), Positive approach (r = -0.466, p<0.001), Seeking social support (r = -0.228, p < 0.001), Avoidance/Escape (r = -0.121, p = 0.020). Anxiety was positively correlated with Seeking social support (r = -0.112, p = 0.030), Prayer/Daydream (r = -0.132, p = 0.030), Avoidance/Escape (r = -0.164, p < 0.001), and Assertive problem solving (r =-0.195, p < 0.0010). Psychological resilience, Avoidance, and Assertive problem-solving were significant predictors of increasing of anxiety (ß = -0.128, p = 0.013, ß = 0.130, p = 0.027, ß = 0.131, p = 0.020, respectively). Avoidance (ß = 0.209, p < 0.001) and age (ß = 0.208, p = 0.029) were significant predictors of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological resilience and coping strategies have a significant effect on nurses' mental health.

Investigation of Anxiety and Health Locus of Control in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis is the most frequent treatment modality for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). However, a number of limitations and modifications accompany this treatment, affecting people's physical and psychological well-being and increasing anxiety symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of anxiety and health locus of control among dialysis patients. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and five patients on hemodialysis treatment completed a questionnaire with demographic characteristics, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Multidisciplinary Health Locus of Control Scale. RESULTS: Women had significantly higher levels of state anxiety than men (p = 0.019). Similarly, patients with primary school education had significantly higher trait and total anxiety levels than those with technological education (p = 0.002 and p = 0.033, respectively). Widowed patients exhibited significantly higher state, trait, and total anxiety levels than married (p = 0.032, p = 0.012, and p = 0.012, respectively). Participants who did not do any kind of exercise had significantly higher level of state, trait, and total anxiety than those who did (p = 0.011, p = 0.015, and p = 0.006, respectively). Respondents who did not have any self-care skills had significantly higher level of state, trait, and total anxiety than those who had (p = 0.011, p = 0.015, and p = 0.006, respectively). State, trait, and total anxiety levels were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated negatively with internal locus of control and positively with "chance" locus of control scale. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis patients had increased anxiety symptoms and believed that others had control over their health to a greater extent. Renal professionals need to apply effective interventions to dialysis patients in order to help them gain a better sense of control over their health and reduce anxiety symptoms.

The Validation of the COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) Scale in Greek Language.

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of FACIT-COST, as well as to assess the levels of financial distress of patients suffering from lung cancer in relation to their quality of life and lung cancer symptom burden. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. A self-assessment instrument was used to gather the data. The study involved 120 lung cancer patients who were treated using chemotherapy in a day clinic of a General Hospital in Athens. Data were collected with the COST-FACIT-v2 (used to assess the patients' financial toxicity), The 12-item Health Survey (SF-12), and functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung Symptom Index Questionnaire-7 items-version 4 (FACIT-FACT-LCS). Descriptive statistics as well as exploratory factor analysis performed all the statistical analyses, which were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and had p-values with a significance level of 0.05. The majority of the participants were male (68.3%), married or cohabitated (81.3%), and had been diagnosed with microcell cancer (90%). The factor analysis resulted in one factor that interpreted 35% of the total variance. FACT-L (r = 0.365, p < 0.001), physical component SF-12 (r = 0.184, p = 0.045), and mental health component SF-12 (r = 0.268, p = 0.003) were positively correlated to FACIT-OST, as expected. The Greek validated COST-FACIT-v2 is a reliable tool in providing rapid assessment of cancer patients' level of financial distress.

Investigation of the Level of Burnout in Health Care Professionals in COVID-19 Pandemic Conditions.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to high levels of stress and anxiety for health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the burnout of health care professionals in COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Quantitative research was performed, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to study burnout. The research sample consisted of 360 health care professionals. Health professionals have been found to have fairly high levels of personal burnout, work burnout, and burnout associated with patient interactions. It has also been found that women and health professionals working in department for patients with COVID-19 have significantly greater burnout. However, it was found that age, marital status, years of service, specialty, non-basic degree, and whether they or a first-degree relative had COVID-19 were not correlated to burnout. Given the very high level of burnout among health professionals, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies to reduce burnout.

Nursing Students' Computer Anxiety and Attitudes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose of this research was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the level of computer anxiety of nursing students and also their attitude related to computer use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two periods, one before the COVID-19 pandemic (1st period) and the second during the COVID-19 pandemic (2nd period). The research instrument consisted of three parts, a questionnaire with questions about demographic and educational characteristics such as gender and semester of study, the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (CARS), that used to assess the nursing students' levels of computer anxiety and the Computer Attitude Scale (CAS) that used to measure nursing students' positive and negative attitudes towards computers. Data from 957 undergraduate nursing students were obtained. Specifically, in the 1st period, 370 nursing students participated (38.66%), while in the 2nd period 587 (61.34%) undergraduates participated. The anxiety of participants during COVID-19 pandemic period was reduced compared to that of participants before the COVID-19 period. Respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic have fewer negative feelings towards computers, based on their answers in contrast to the participants in the study before the COVID-19 pandemic. Computer anxiety and attitudes have change among nursing students among COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing students after the implementation of online training are reporting positive feeling towards computer use and are more confident for their ICT skills.

Prediction of Intracranial Temperature Through Invasive and Noninvasive Measurements on Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

The brain's temperature measurements (TB) in patients with severe brain damage are important, in order to offer the optimal treatment. The purpose of this research is the creation of mathematical models for the TB's prediction, based on the temperatures in the bladder (TBL), femoral artery (TFA), ear canal (TΕC), and axilla (TA), without the need for placement of intracranial catheter, contributing significantly to the research of the human thermoregulatory system.The research involved 18 patients (13 men and 5 women), who were hospitalized in the adult intensive care units (ICU) of Larissa's two hospitals, with severe brain injury. An intracranial catheter with a thermistor was used to continuously measure TB and other parameters. The TB's measurements, and simultaneously one or more of TBL, TFA, TEC, and TA, were recorded every 1 h.To create TB predicting models, the data of each measurement was separated into (a) model sample (measurements' 80%) and (b) validation sample (measurements' 20%). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that it is possible to predict brain's temperature (PrTB), using independent variables (R2 was TBL = 0.73, TFA = 0.80, TEC = 0.27, and TA = 0.17, p < 0.05). Significant linear associations were found, statistically, and no difference in means between TB and PrTB of each prediction model. Also, the 95% limits of agreement and the percent coefficient of variation showed sufficient agreement between the TB and PrTB in each prediction model.In conclusion, brain's temperature prediction models based on TBL, TFA, TEC, and TA were successful. Its determination contributes to the improvement of clinical decision-making.

MENTAL HEALTH, QUALITY OF LIFE, SPIRITUAL DRYNESS AND ACEDIA SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASES.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to examine mental health, quality of life, acedia and spiritual dryness in patients suffering from chronic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and method: Data were collected by special design instrument for the needs of the present study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were applied and the analysis was carried out with IBM SPSS 26 and JASP 0.14.01. RESULTS: Results: From the total of 210 participants, 106 (50.4%) were male, the mean age was 62.9 years, and the majority of them were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 50 (23.8%) of the participants suffer from anxiety and 39 (18.6%) from depression. In addition, 17.1% experience phases of spiritual dryness frequently or regularly. Physical quality of life component, was associated with the following variables: live from faith, psychological wellbeing, type of disease and age. This model can predict 31.1% of the variance. In terms of psychological wellbeing, the variables living arrangement, awe/gratitude, anxiety, and spiritual dryness can interpret 41.5% of the variance. When it comes to depression, we found that wellbeing, awe/gratitude are predictors of depressive symptoms, explaining at least 14.1% of the variance. Finally, anxiety can be predicted by wellbeing, awe/gratitude, and the type of the disease, interpreting 17.2% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Patients suffering from chronic diseases are experiencing spiritual dryness and acedia symptoms, and those aspects can be associated with various domains of health and wellbeing.

Factors of Compliance of Dental Patients in Primary Health Care Services during the Pandemic.

The compliance of dentists with good hygiene practices during the COVID-19 pandemic was essential to minimize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 strains, and the pandemic has significantly interrupted the provision of oral health care to many individuals. We aimed to examine, in a cross-sectional study, factors affecting dental patients' compliance in primary dental health settings during the pandemic period. The present study was conducted on 300 dental patients visiting four private dental offices in the city of Larissa in Central Greece during the period October-December 2021. The patients in the study sample were of an average age of 45.79 years with a standard deviation of 15.54 years, and 58% of the sample were females. A significant proportion of the participants, 22%, reported that they would be influenced if they knew that the dentist had been ill with COVID-19 despite being fully recovered. A total of 88% of the participants reported that they would feel safe if they knew their dentist was vaccinated against COVID-19. Regarding the information received by dentists, 88% of the participants agreed that the dentist's role is important in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and 89% of them agreed that the information they received from the dentist about the COVID-19 pandemic was sufficient. One-third of the total sample reported that COVID-19 negatively impacted keeping dental appointments, and 43% of the sample kept scheduled appointments. A total of 98% reported that the dentist followed all health protocols against COVID-19 and that their office was equipped to follow health protocols. In the present study, we observe that dentists had adequate knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices of infection control protocols against COVID-19 during the second wave, according to patients' perceptions.