Children In Athens Research Articles

Touching heritage: embodied politics in children’s photography

Drawing on ethnographic research with children in Athens, the authors examine sensual, performative and embodied aspects of children’s photographic representations of a monument that is central in the Greek national, cultural and historical discourse, the Acropolis. Moving away from the hermeneutics of cultural domination, the focus of this article is on how the pictures depicted the monument and how they were used by the children. Assuming an analytical framework which incorporates aspects of sensual experience in the analysis of the photography, the authors discuss how the children’s pictures of the Acropolis not only make visual records of the monument, and thus are not simply visual evidence of the centrality of the mainstream Greek national and historical discourse, but also how they entail the children’s embodied relation to it, and what this relation might tell us about childhood expressions of heritage and belonging, and by extension about politics in childhood. The analytical focus on embodied aspects of children’s photography illuminates complexities of cultural representation and their gestural, discursive and political significance.

Socio-demographic and area-related factors associated with the prevalence of caries among preschool children in Greece.

To assess dental caries experience in 4-6 year old children of the Athens Metropolitan Area attending public kindergartens and investigate the association of area deprivation and immigration status on dmft. A cross-sectional study of a large area-stratified sample of 683 kindergarten children was conducted during the academic years 2009-2011. Dental caries experience and oral hygiene level were assessed using dmft and the Simplified Debris index (DI-s). Area deprivation was defined using a pre-established Geo-demographic System for Attica. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were used to test associations between the dmft index and related factors; gender, age, immigrant background and area deprivation. Differences were reported in terms of predicted probabilities. Caries prevalence was 20.8% (95% CI17.8,24.0%). The mean dmft and DI-s scores were 0.67 (95% CI0.61,0.74) and 0.16 (95% CI0.14,0.18) respectively. The mean predicted probability of having no detectable caries experience was 79% (95% CI75, 83%), while the probability of having dmft=1 or 2 was 6% (95% CI5,8%) and 2% (95% CI1,3%) respectively. The predicted probability of having no caries experience was substantially lower for males, those from the least affluent areas and non-Greeks by 5%, 18% and 31% respectively. Regarding dmft scores, deprived children were more likely to have 1 or 2 teeth with caries experience by 9% (95% CI4,13%) and 6% (95% CI2,10%) respectively, while the corresponding differences for non-Greeks were 10% (95% CI7,14%) and 12% (95% CI7,15%). Socio-demographic and area-related variations in oral health exist among kindergarten children in Athens.

Ozone exposure assessment for children in Greece - Results from the RESPOZE study.

Ozone exposure of 179 children in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece was assessed during 2013-2014, by repeated weekly personal measurements, using passive samplers. O3 was also monitored at school locations of participants to characterize community-level ambient exposure. Average personal concentrations in the two cities (5.0 and 2.8ppb in Athens and Thessaloniki, respectively) were considerably lower than ambient concentrations (with mean personal/ambient ratios of 0.13-0.15). The temporal variation of personal concentrations followed the -typical for low-latitude areas- pattern of cold-warm seasons. However, differences were detected between temporal distributions of personal and ambient concentrations, since personal exposures were affected by additional factors which present seasonal variability, such as outdoor activity and house ventilation. Significant spatial contrasts were observed between urban and suburban areas, for personal concentrations in Athens, with higher exposure for children residing in the N-NE part of the area. In Thessaloniki, spatial variations in personal concentrations were less pronounced, echoing the spatial pattern of ambient concentrations, a result of complex local meteorology and the smaller geographical expansion of the study area. Ambient concentration was identified as the most important factor influencing personal exposures (correlation coefficients between 0.36 and 0.67). Associations appeared to be stronger with ambient concentrations measured at school locations of children, than to those reported by the nearest site of the air quality monitoring network, indicating the importance of community-representative outdoor monitoring for characterization of personal-ambient relationships. Time spent outdoors by children was limited (>90% of the time they remained indoors), but -due to the lack of indoor sources- it was found to exert significant influence on personal concentrations, affecting inter-subject and spatiotemporal variability. Additional parameters that were identified as relevant for the determination of personal concentrations were indoor ventilation conditions (specifically indoor times with windows open) and the use of wood-burning in open fireplaces for heating as an ozone sink.

Determinants of personal exposure to ozone in school children. Results from a panel study in Greece

BackgroundIn the wider framework of the RESPOZE (ReSPiratory effects of OZone Exposure in Greek children) panel study, we investigated possible determinants of O3 exposure of school children, measured with personal passive samplers, in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece. MethodsPersonal exposure to O3 was measured for five weeks spread along the academic year 2013-14, in 186 school children in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece. At the same time, at-school outdoor measurements were performed and ambient levels of 8-h daily maximum O3 from fixed sites were collected. We also collected information on lifestyle and housing characteristics through an extended general questionnaire (GQ) and each participant completed daily time activity diaries (TADs) during the study period. ResultsMean outdoor concentrations were higher during the warmer months, in the suburbs of the cities and in Athens. Personal exposure concentrations were significantly lower compared to outdoor. Daily levels of at-school outdoor and ambient levels of O3 from fixed sites were significant determinants of personal exposure to O3. For a 10μg/m3 increase in at-school outdoor O3 concentrations and PM10 measurements a 20.9% (95% CI: 13%, 28%) increase in personal exposure to O3 was found. For a half an hour more spent in transportation an average increase of 7% (95% CI: 0.3%, 14.6%) in personal exposure to O3 was observed. Among other possible determinants, time spent in transportation (TAD variable) and duration of open windows were the ones associated with personal O3 exposure levels. ConclusionsOur results support the use of outdoor and ambient measurements from fixed sites in epidemiological studies as a proxy of personal exposure to O3, but this has to be calibrated taking into account personal measurements and time-activity patterns.

The Empowering Role of Art in a Critical Pedagogy of Place

This field report tells the story of a critical pedagogy of place educational program that was implemented with primary school children in Athens, Greece, during a period of economic, political, and social crisis. This program, entitled “Creating the Environment Where I Would Like to Live,” was designed to develop children's critical thought and imagination and to empower their self-confidence and action-competence regarding their ideas for the city. The program focused on transforming children's low self-esteem and passiveness into a powerful creative process of critical reflection, collaboration, and action. Art was the tool that was used in the empowering pedagogical process. The program treated children as artists and urban designers with the ability to analyze their environment, synthesize their thoughts, and propose new ideas for the improvement of the city. The children who participated in the program asked for political change, solidarity, and a stronger connection with nature in the city. They were also involved in the improvement of their school environment. The research explores the dynamic role of art in a critical pedagogy of place and the benefits that it can confer to children.

Dental erosion prevalence and associated risk indicators among preschool children in Athens, Greece

The aims of the study were to investigate dental erosion prevalence, distribution and severity in Greek preschool children attending public kindergartens in the prefecture of Attica, Greece and to determine the effect of dental caries, oral hygiene level, socio-economic factors, dental behavior, erosion related medication and chronic illness. A random and stratified sample of 605 Greek preschool children was clinically examined for dental erosion using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination Index (ΒΕWE). Dental caries (dmfs) and Simplified Debris Index were also recorded. The data concerning possible risk indicators were derived by a questionnaire. Zero-inflated Poisson regression was generated to test the predictive effects of the independent variables on dental erosion. The prevalence of dental erosion was 78.8 %, and the mean and SE of BEWE index was 3.64 ± 0.15. High monthly family income was positively related to ΒΕWE cumulative scores [RR = 1.204 (1.016-1.427)], while high maternal education level [RR = 0.872 (0.771-0.986)] and poor oral hygiene level [DI-s, RR = 0.584 (0.450-0.756)] showed a negative association. Dental erosion is a common oral disease in Greek preschool children in Attica, related to oral hygiene and socio-economic factors. Programs aimed at erosion prevention should begin at an early age for all children.

Skin diseases in Greek and immigrant children in Athens

This study aimed to characterize the spectrum of skin diseases affecting children in Greece. We retrospectively studied data for 4071 children, aged 0-12 years, who were examined and diagnosed with dermatoses at the outpatient clinic of a university dermatological hospital between December 2005 and August 2007. To evaluate changes in disease patterns, these data were compared with data for a cohort of 12,700 children diagnosed with skin diseases at the same clinic two to three decades earlier (in 1977, 1980, and 1983). The most frequent disease was dermatitis/eczema (34.7%), with atopic dermatitis found in 20.7% of children, contact dermatitis in 6.9%, pityriasis alba in 2.1%, and seborrheic dermatitis in 1.8%. Infections (19.3%), nevi (5.6%), scabies (4.8%), and insect bites (4.3%) followed. More viral (12%) than bacterial (3.7%) and fungal (3.6%) infections were noted. Warts constituted 53.2% of viral infections. Immigrants had an increased risk for bacterial infections and scabies. Children diagnosed with skin diseases 24-30 years earlier were younger; exhibited lower prevalences of dermatitis/eczema (P = 0.01), viral infections (P < 0.001) and nevi (P < 0.001); higher prevalences of bacterial and fungal infections (P < 0.001) and insect bites (P < 0.01); and similar rates of scabies (P = 0.17). This study documents the high prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the region, the increasing incidence of viral infections and nevi, and the continuing problem of scabies, especially in immigrants.

PW01-112 - Prevalence of ADHD in school children in Athens. Association of ADHD subtypes with clinical impairment

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and social and academic impairment in 6-11 year-old children residents of Athens, Greece.MethodsFollowing the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, the study combined information from teachers for 603 elementary school children following grades first to sixth. A 2-stage screening process was employed including the standardized ADHD test and the Teacher Report Form (TRF).ResultsAmong 603 children, 36 (6.0%) met the study criteria for ADHD. The estimated prevalence was 8% for boys and 3.8% for girls (p=0.028). The most prevalent subtype of ADHD was the Combined type (3.8%), followed by ADHD- Inattentive (1.7%) and Hyperactive-Impulsive type (0,5%). Gender differences were observed in the prevalence of ADHD-Combined subtypes (p=0.003). Statistical significant differences were observed between ADHD subtypes and gender (p=0.047). ADHD-Combined type was associated with greater impairment in both academic and social domains, where ADHD-Inattentive subtype showed a higher academic, but lower social impairment. The ADHD-Hyperactive-impulsive children were not significantly impaired in their academic functioning, while social functioning resulted moderately impaired.ConclusionsThe prevalence of ADHD among schoolchildren in Athens and the risk factors are comparable to those reported in several epidemiological studies worldwide. Impairment in social and academic functioning seems to be strongly associated with the subtype of ADHD. Further research into the association between ADHD symptoms and impairment is warrant.

Parental attitudes and perceptions affecting children’s dental behaviour in Greek population. A clinical study

This was to investigate the relationship of children's behaviour during dental treatment to parental dental attitudes and perceptions in a definitive population of Greek children in Athens. 88 children aged 3-11 years and their parents, attending the Community Dental Centre for Children in Athens, participated. A questionnaire including demographic information, questions regarding parents' dental experience and anxiety (M-DAS test), as well as questions regarding expectant behaviour of each child and his/her dental anxiety level (parental version of the CFSS -Dental Subscale), was completed by the parents during the first examination appointment. During the two following operative sessions each child's behaviour was recorded and evaluated using the Frankl Scale. Collected data were statistically analyzed using a SPSS statistical program. No significant difference was found between a child's actual behaviour and gender, nationality, frequency of parent's dental visits, parental dental fear (M-DAS) and previous medical experience of the child (p>0.001). In contrast, age (p=0.005), previous child's dental fear (p=0.081), previous child's dental behaviour (p<0.0001), predicted by the parent behaviour (p<0.0001) and parental version of CFSS-DS (p<0.001), revealed statistically significant associations to child's behaviour during treatment. According to the present study in Greek children, children's behaviour during dental treatment is related to age, previous dental fear and experience and behaviour prediction by the parents. Parents' estimations regarding their children's fear and behaviour could be a useful predictor of child's level of cooperation during dental treatment.

Correlates of childhood obesity in Athens, Greece

Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem. We have examined the association between sociodemographic profile and eating and physical activity patterns with overweight among primary-school students in Athens, Greece. Cross-sectional study. Eleven primary schools in the greater Athens area, Greece. A total of 633 children aged 10-12 years (50 % boys, 50 % girls) were interviewed in person during spring 2003. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between eating and physical activity patterns and overweight (> or =85th sex- and age-specific BMI centile). Results are presented as odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. Overweight was more common among girls than among boys (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.11, 2.69) and substantially less common among children born outside Greece (OR=0.46; CI 0.22, 0.95). Reported physical activity (per 1.5 h per day) was unrelated to overweight (OR=0.97; CI 0.85, 1.12) but patent physical inactivity, operationalised as time spent watching television or working/playing with the computer (per 1.5 h per day) was a highly significant predictor of overweight (OR=1.20; CI 1.05, 1.36). Composition of diet was unrelated to overweight but the daily number of eating occasions, controlling for total energy intake, was significantly inversely associated with overweight (OR=0.61; CI 0.48, 0.76). The principal factor underlying overweight among children in Athens appears to be the extended inactivity imposed by modern childhood lifestyles. An intriguing finding is that spreading a given energy intake over several eating occasions was inversely associated with the likelihood of childhood obesity.

The Effect of Weather Variability on Pediatric Asthma Admissions in Athens, Greece

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any association between weather variability and asthma admissions among children in Athens, Greece. Medical data were obtained from hospital registries of the three main Children's Hospitals in Athens during the 1978–2000 period; children were classified into two age groups: 0–4 and 5–14 years. The application of Generalized Linear Models with Poisson distribution revealed a significant relationship among asthma hospitalizations and the investigated parameters, especially for the children aged 0–4 years. Our findings showed that Hospital admissions for childhood asthma in Athens, Greece, is negatively correlated with discomfort index, air temperature and absolute humidity whereas there is a positive correlation with cooling power, relative humidity and wind speed.

Spread of the Streptococcus pneumoniae Taiwan19F-14 clone among children in Greece

Serotype 19F pneumococci were a leading cause of infections among children in Athens, Greece during 2001-2006. In total, 143 19F isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and 38 isolates representing the main PFGE types were also characterised by multilocus sequence typing. A diversity of distinct strains belonging to sequence types 236, 1035, 274, 172 and 319 were identified, but multidrug-resistant isolates related to the Taiwan(19F)-14 clone (ST236) constituted 76.9% of the isolates. Spread of the Taiwan(19F)-14 clone explains, in part, the high incidence of antibiotic resistance observed among pneumococci reported recently from Athens.

P925 Evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalised children in Athens, Greece

P925 Evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalised children in Athens, Greece

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from hospitalized children in Athens, Greece, collected during 2004–2005

A total of 170 Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from the stool of children with clinical gastroenteritis, aged from 3 months to 14 years, were collected during a two-year period (2004-2005). From the 170 strains 30% were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC > or = 4 microg/ml), 55% to tetracycline (MIC > 8 microg/ml), 13% to clindamycin (MIC > or = 8 microg/ml), 4% to ampicillin (MIC > 16 microg/ml), 6% to erythromycin (MIC > or = 8 microg/ml), 4% to coamoxiclav (MIC > or = 16/8 microg/ml) and 0% to gentamicin. Compared to previous reports from Greece, the antimicrobial resistance rates to erythromycin, ampicillin and coamoxiclav remain low, while they are still high for tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Considering similar reports from many other countries and the high incidence of Campylobacter gastroenteritis worldwide, the value of ciprofloxacin as a first choice drug in the empiric treatment of the infection is questionable.

Association of Weather Conditions with Childhood Admissions for Wheezy Bronchitis or Asthma in Athens

Background: The association between asthma morbidity and meteorological conditions is well documented, but it is not clear to what extent more specific meteorological variables are implicated. Objectives: This study was aiming to investigate whether there is any association between specific meteorological conditions and the seasonal variation and the rate of asthma admissions among children in Athens. Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main Children’s Hospitals in Athens during a 23-year period (1978–2000). The meteorological database consisted of mean monthly values of eight meteorological variables. The whole period studied was divided into three time periods: 1978–1987, 1988–1993 and 1994–2000. Results: A clear seasonal trend with a permanent pattern was detected. There were more monthly asthma admissions in winter-spring and autumn for younger children, as well as a lower peak in winter and autumn and a major one in May for older children, without significant differences in between the three time periods. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were predictors of up to 56.7% (1988–1993) and 59.2% (1994–2000) monthly asthma admissions among younger children. No relation of the time trend in asthma admissions during the periods studied for any age group with any of the meteorological variables was detected. Conclusions: Our results indicate a constant seasonal variability in asthma admissions among children in Athens, whereas relative humidity and atmospheric pressure are the more implicated meteorological variables for younger asthmatic children.

Hospitalizations for childhood asthma in Athens, Greece, from 1978 to 2000

Trends in rates of asthma admissions among children have shown a variety of patterns in different countries in the last decades. We undertook the present study to determine the time trends in asthma admissions and readmissions of children in Athens, Greece. Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main children's hospitals in Athens from 1978 to 2000. Children admitted with the diagnoses of asthma, asthmatic bronchitis or wheezy bronchitis were included. Hospital admission rate for asthma among children 0-14 yr from 1978 to 2000 rose by 271% (p <0.001). The rise in rates among those aged 0-4 and 5-15 yr were 250% and 276%, respectively. The mean annual increase in admission rate was 12.2% for 1978-1987, 4.7% for 1988-1993 and 0.6% for 1994-2000. The readmission rate among children 0-14 yr was increased from 15.3% to 23.3%. A positive correlation between admission and readmission rates in all age groups was observed. In conclusion, our findings show an increase in the childhood asthma admission rate in Athens in late 1970's and during the 1980's, which has decelerated in the 1990's, particularly in the second-half of the decade. The readmission rate paralleled that of admissions over the entire study period.

Heat-stable antigen serotyping of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children in Athens, Greece.

A hundred and twentynine Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis were serotyped by the heat-stable antigen scheme (HS, Penner's method). Isolates belonged to two different periods. Group A contained strains isolated in 1987-1988 and group B contained strains which were isolated in 1998-2000. A variety of serotypes was found. Serotype HS:2 was predominant, followed by the HS:4 complex and HS:1,44. Many clinically important Guillain-Barré Syndrome associated serotypes--like HS:19--were identified. There were no significant differences in the distribution of serotypes between the two periods. The present report provides reference data, as this is the first C. jejuni serotyping study ever made in Greece.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children in Athens, Greece.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of 129 Campylobacter jejuni strains, isolated from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis, to five antimicrobials, including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ampicillin and co-amoxiclav, was determined. Isolates belonged to two time periods: group A contained strains isolated in 1987-1988; and group B 1998-2000. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns differed significantly between the two groups with respect to quinolones, with an increase in the percentage of resistant strains in group B (30.6% versus 0% in group A), whereas erythromycin, ampicillin and co-amoxiclav were effective drugs in both groups.

Bullying Among Primary School Children in Athens, Greece

Using a self-report bullying inventory, the extent and nature of bullying behaviour among primary Greek school children was investigated in a study of 1312 pupils between 8 and 12 years of age, in the greater Athens area. Overall, 14.7% of the children were self-reported as victims of bullying, 6.25% as bullies and 4.8% as both. Significantly more boys were self-identified as bullies and bully/victims. The two most common forms of bullying were 'name calling' and 'hitting and kicking'. Boy bullies engaged in more direct physical bullying, while girls bullied indirectly. There was a tendency for bullying to decrease with increasing age and take more indirect form. There was evidence of peer pressure as 33.5% reported being forced to join in bullying others.

Bullying Among Primary School Children in Athens, Greece

Using a self-report bullying inventory, the extent and nature of bullying behaviour among primary Greek school children was investigated in a study of 1312 pupils between 8 and 12 years of age, in the greater Athens area. Overall, 14.7% of the children were self-reported as victims of bullying, 6.25% as bullies and 4.8% as both. Significantly more boys were self-identified as bullies and bully/victims. The two most common forms of bullying were 'name calling' and 'hitting and kicking'. Boy bullies engaged in more direct physical bullying, while girls bullied indirectly. There was a tendency for bullying to decrease with increasing age and take more indirect form. There was evidence of peer pressure as 33.5% reported being forced to join in bullying others.