Rural Areas In Greece Research Articles

West Nile Virus–Neutralizing Antibodies in Humans in Greece

Serum samples collected during March-May 2007 from 392 residents of Imathia prefecture, Northern Greece, were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). Microneutralization assay was applied in six positive samples. Four (4/392, 1.02%) were found positive for WNV-neutralizing antibodies. None of the positive individuals had a history of travel in endemic area or flavivirus vaccination, suggesting that WNV, or an antigenically related flavivirus, circulates in an endemic sylvatic cycle, at least locally, in rural areas in Greece. Human, animal, and vector surveillance systems have to be implemented to provide an early detection of WNV activity in Greece.

Gaining from Rural Migrants: Migrant Employment Strategies and Socioeconomic Implications for Rural Labour Markets

AbstractNon‐agricultural employment is expanding in many rural areas in Greece, while the agricultural sector is the main employer in a great deal of rural areas. Local labour markets are diverse although dependence on family farming, small‐scale businesses, informal employment and tourist activities is constantly increasing. These developments have gradually reinforced the multifunctionality of rural areas and have brought about a demand for flexible labour power. Under these circumstances, the role of migrants has been fundamental for sustaining the multifunctional character of rural Greece, as they participate in every economic sector and their presence varies across sectors and geographical regions. Migrants should not only be conceived strictly as an agricultural labour force on the grounds that they seem to be highly mobile in rural areas. They should rather be considered more widely, as a rural labour force with multiple implications on Greek rural society and economy. The article is based on an empirical study carried out in three different localities in the Epirus region in northern Greece. On the basis of quantitative data, it analyses and interprets the multilateral, versatile impact of migrants on different rural localities. One major finding is that the contribution of migrants is crucial for the preservation of the multifunctional character of rural areas in Greece. However, migrant labour loses its collective identity by becoming increasingly individualised in its capacities, its employment conditions and its interests.

Prevalence of Pediculosis Capitis among Schoolchildren in Greece and Risk Factors: A Questionnaire Survey

Pediculosis capitis is a common problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of pediculosis capitis in children of preschool or school age in Greece, as well as to investigate the potential risk factors. The study included children of preschool and school age from all over Greece, including urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of Greece. A questionnaire with both closed and open-type questions, which was constructed by the researcher and filled in by the children's parents, was used. A total of 5,084 questionnaires were distributed, of which 2,792 were adequately filled and subsequently evaluated. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used. The median age of the children was 8 years (range: 3-13 yrs) and 54% of them were girls. Pediculosis was found to be prevalent in 12% of the tested population. The prevalence of the disease seems to be increased after the age of 10 years and the risk is higher in girls. The number of family members was correlated positively with the risk of being infected with pediculosis at least once. The children's gender, their age, and family size were correlated with the risk of infection.

Agricultural and water resources development in Thessaly, Greece in the framework of new European Union policies

The main challenges that inter‐relate sustainable development with water resources management are to secure water for all humanity and for food production as well, to protect the ecosystems, to manage risk, to create public awareness, to urge political will and to ensure cooperation and coordination of action in an integrated way for both national and international water issues. The response of Europe comes through the new Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the sustainable management of all European waters. Moreover EU provides the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the sustainable development of rural areas which all member states should comply with. This paper evaluates the perspectives of water resources management and economic development in the greater Thessaly area ‐ an agricultural, rural area in Greece that faces a dramatic water resources problem, in the framework of the WFD 2000/60 and the new CAP.

Biochemical and antimicrobial profile ofEnterococcus faeciumandE. faecalisisolated from traditional dairy products and infant intestinal microbiota

Background: Unpasteurized fermented milk is used for the production of traditional dairy products in certain rural areas of Greece. Methods: In an attempt to search for candidate beneficial probiotic strains of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, isolates recovered from traditional dairy products and from faeces of infants fed with such products were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial activity and their standard biochemical profile. Results: Almost all tested strains showed resistance to a pH range from 3.0 to 6.5, tolerance to bile acid within 24 h and resistance to phenol. Field isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium presented higher antimicrobial activity against classic food pathogenic serovars of Salmonella enteritica (S. typhi, S. typhimurium, S. ancona, S. enteritidis) compared with reference strains. Conclusion: The implementation of beneficial enterococcal strains in the production of fermented dairy products is part of technological process in constant development aimed at obtaining food products of increased quality and safety.

Pesticide poisoning in the region of Rodopi, Greece

Pesticide poisoning constitutes a problem that often occurs in the daily medical practice and mainly concerns the rural areas of Greece. The purpose of this project is to mention the epidemic characteristics and our observations on unintentional pesticide and herbicide poisonings in the prefecture of Rodopi, Greece.

The development of a mobile psychiatric unit in a rural area of Greece: preliminary results

Background The most radical form of community treatment involves attempts to develop a community-treatment alternative to mental hospital. One interesting and effective community oriented model is the development of services such as Mobile Psychiatric Units in rural areas, which contributes considerably to the establishment of an organized net of psychiatric care that covers the broad needs of the remote areas. This study presents the development of the recently established Mobile Psychiatric Unit of the prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia (M.P.U. I-T), Greece, as well as the results of its operation during the first six-month period of its establishment.

The development of a mobile psychiatric unit in a rural area of Greece: Preliminary results

The development of a mobile psychiatric unit in a rural area of Greece: Preliminary results

Errors in death certificates in a rural area of Greece

A death certificate is the formal document in which a physician records the time, cause and circumstances under which the death of an individual has occurred. Morbidity and mortality statistics are mainly based on the analysis of these certificates, and inaccuracies in the detail may lead to biased estimation in several epidemiological parameters. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of cause of death in death certificates in a rural area of Greece, and to identify factors that may be associated with inaccuracies in the completion of these death certificates. All death certificates archived in the municipality of Tritaia during the period 1999-2006 were examined. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing the proportions of the unpaired case. The state of independence among the various variables was investigated by considering the class of discrete graphical models. In total, 516 death certificates were examined; 5.6% (29/516) were excluded because of insufficient demographic data. The remaining 487 death certificates were analyzed with the following findings: 51.5% were for males and 48.5% females (median age 82 years, range 5-103 years; and 83 years, range 0-104, respectively); and 39.4% (192/487) were correctly completed. In 168 the mechanism of death was given; in 72 multiple causal sequences were given; in 22 a single/not precise cause was given; and in 33 a single causal sequence with incorrect order was given. In all, 20.1% were completed by a physician of the regional health centre. Gender was not associated with the presence of error (p = 0.352). Errors were present in 63.8% (270/423) of the death certificates in deceased individuals > or =60 years and in 39.1% (25/64) of the death certificates in individuals < or =59 years (p<0.001). In 19.7% of the erroneously completed death certificates, the certifier was a physician working in primary health care. The presence of errors in death certificates decreased from 74.6% in 1999 to 51.8% in 2006 (p = 0.004). Giving the mechanism instead of the cause of death was the most frequent type of error. A statistically significant increase in the presence of errors was observed as the age of the descendent increased. During these 8 years, there has been a statistically significant decrease in errors. However, efforts should be made by trainers and physicians in order to improve the accuracy of the information in death certificates. If this is accomplished, cause-of-death statistics will be more accurate and so enable better health planning.

Multicriteria decision-making for efficient water and land resources allocation in irrigated agriculture

The irrational use of water in agriculture is often responsible for several problems concerning the depletion and/or the pollution of water resources. In these cases specific policy measures should be taken to protect water resources from harmful agricultural activities, mitigating at the same time their potential impact on farmers’ welfare. To this end, a multicriteria decision-making model is formulated that aims at allocating efficiently water and land resources in a rural area of Greece, by optimizing a set of important socio-economic and environmental objectives. According to the model’s output, past and current decisions on irrigated agriculture turned out to be oriented towards meeting exclusively the socio-economic objectives. Yet, there are several other possible allocations schemes that could be applied in order to improve the performance of environmental indicators and to contribute to a more sustainable use of natural resources. Moreover, the decision-making model can be further employed to assess a number of additional policy measures in irrigated agriculture. In this framework, the outcome of imposing various water pricing policies was evaluated. The efficiency of these policies was found tightly connected to the elasticity of water demand. Namely, higher elasticity seems to enhance the flexibility in resource allocation and the movement towards environmental objectives.

Coping and psychological sense of community: An exploratory study of urban and rural areas in Greece

This exploratory study examined coping and psychological sense of community in two areas of Greece: an urban area and a rural area. Specifically, the aims of the study were to examine: (1) coping differences between the two areas; (2) whether the two areas differed in terms of psychological sense of community (PSOC); and (3) the relationship between coping, PSOC, and negative mood. The results showed that coping strategies clustered in different ways. In the urban area, assertive and indirect action formed one cluster with antisocial and aggressive action, whereas in the rural area, assertive and indirect action formed one cluster with cautious action, social joining, and seeking social support. Also, the relationship between negative mood and aggressive action was stronger for the rural area than for the urban area, whereas the opposite was found for the relationship between negative mood and indirect action. Finally, PSOC was higher in the rural area, positively related to social joining, and negatively related to antisocial action, aggressive action, and negative mood. The relationship between PSOC and negative mood was mediated by coping. The findings highlight the importance of taking into consideration the social context in which coping takes place.

Health needs in rural areas and the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of doctors and nurses

Because of a lack of GPs in rural areas of Greece it is mandatory for junior doctors to offer medical service in those areas for a year. The aim of this study is to determine the possibility of replacement of internships with nurses and to suggest the most cost-effective way of covering health needs in remote areas. Regional survey. Patients of primary care offices in two remote areas of Crete, Greece within a year. Comparative analysis of the level of preventive medicine (estimated by questionnaires) and health needs in the two areas. The reasons for visiting medical offices, references rates, percentages of glucose and blood pressure regulation are also studied. Prescription of drugs for chronic diseases and blood pressure counting were the main reasons for office visits (2868/4594). Respiratory track infections (364/4594) follow. Apart from the high percentages of uncontrolled patients with blood pressure (34%) and diabetes mellitus (14%) there is a high percentage of ignorance or wrong opinions concerning preventive medicine, for example only 63% knew the value of a pap test. More than two-thirds of "medical" visits in rural areas were for acts that nurses could easily do. The easy access to a junior doctor did not promote preventive medicine. Replacement of junior doctors with properly trained nurses cooperating with GPs responsible for greater regions would be more cost-effective than junior doctors improving health in rural areas. Legislation should change, mainly with regard to repeat prescriptions, in order to reduce house visits.

Valuation of Irrigation Water by the Hedonic Price Method: A Case Study in Chalkidiki, Greece

The design of efficient water allocation systems depends, among other factors, on economic issues and, above all, on a reliable estimate of the economic value of water. In this paper the hedonic price method is utilized to reveal the implicit value of irrigation water by analyzing agricultural land values in Chalkidiki, a typical rural area in Greece. The method was applied to a sample of both irrigated and nonirrigated properties and the value of irrigation water was estimated by disaggregating the total price of each parcel of land, obtained through a local survey. Results show that, apart from typical value attributes, the agricultural characteristics of the land, including irrigation water availability, have a significant influence on land prices.

Rural development by afforestation in predominantly agricultural areas: issues and challenges from two areas in Greece

Abstract In light of the increasing mandate for forest expansion through afforestation of arable and degraded land, this attitudinal study explores the perceptions of landowners in Greece regarding forest planting and forest policy related issues, the efficiency of afforestation schemes as well as how new forests are accepted in comparison with agricultural landuse values. Results of a landowner comparative survey undertaken in two varied rural areas in Greece, seek to enlighten why local landowner groups are resistant to the planting of land with trees. This is partly attributed to the long-driven agrarian character of these areas. To some landowners, forestry is envisaged as antagonistic, rather than synergetic to agriculture and thus not socially acceptable. Although it could also be the result of other factors, such as the administrative barriers or limited knowledge available to farmers, the research establishes grant aid funding for forestry as a continuous and potent impetus for farmers to participate in planting schemes in rural areas. Forest policy should involve decisions more related with the regulation of subsidies to buy contributions of forestry to meet environmental and social objectives in addition to the productive ones.

Sr and Pb isotopes as environmental indicators in environmental studies

An environmental indicator is a numerical or a descriptive categorization of environmental data with the primary purpose of assessing the affected environment. In these studies, two characteristic isotopes, namely Sr and Pb, were assessed of their ability to describe the affected environment in environmental studies by detecting trends of pollution over short as well as long time periods and by identifying sources of contamination. The ability of environmental indicators to serve as elements in summarizing the situation of the affected environment is discussed. An illustrative example is presented where lead isotopes are used to understand the source of pollution in Kozani, a small rural area in Greece. Conclusions are derived in terms of the source of the pollution in the specific area.

Introducing advanced telematic services in rural areas

Recent developments in the area of information and communication technology can prove to be enablers of rural development by bringing advanced telematic services. However, it is the way in which network operators, service providers and rural users organize and use technology that contributes to rural development. By carefully and systematically selecting a service set, which is both meaningful to rural users and profitable to him/herself, a service provider will establish a successful enterprise and will exploit the investment on network equipment. Subsequently, the introduction of advanced telematic services in rural areas is an important problem. A scenario based approach for introducing advanced telematic services in rural areas in the European Union is presented with an emphasis to economic viability. It is split into a usage and technical scenario. The objective of this paper is to present and review important aspects of the aforementioned problem under the light of modern service provision methodologies. A case study of a rural area in Greece is described in order to illustrate the methodology. It seems that rural areas can benefit from recent advances in technology provided that cost effective network solutions and carefully selected services are offered. The penetration of modern technology in urban areas and the general trend towards cost-effective solutions are likely to further accelerate progress in rural areas.

Sidedness preference as an index of organization of laterality.

A rightward bias to all forms of sidedness seems to be particularly human and perhaps characteristic of every human society. However, this phenomenon has been studied mainly in relation to lateralization of handedness and language. This study investigated the consistency of right- and nonright-handed individuals in prefer ring the same side for foot, eye, and ear using Coren's Lateral Preference Inventory. The sample of 194 students, 91 boys and 103 girls, ranging in age from 11.5-14.5 years (M age 13.2 yr.) was recruited from public junior high schools in a rural area in Greece on the island of Rhodes. Despite the dominance of the right side observed in handedness, footedness, eyedness, and earedness, this tendency was not equally strong in all four indexes of lateral preference, with handedness showing comparatively the strongest tendency and earedness showing comparatively the weakest tendency. Moreover, the strength of preference for the same side for foot, eye, and ear was significantly weaker in nonright-handed individuals compared to right handed individuals. These results agree with the hypothesis that nonright-handers may have reduced rath er than reversed asymmetry.

Lay Perceptions of Mental Disorder in Agricultural Greece: A Qualitative Approach

This exploratory survey aimed to investigate and to explore, using the vignette methodology, community perceptions of mental disorder in a rural area in Greece. The influence of the nature of the problematic behaviour depicted in the vignettes, the gender of the vignette actor and the demographic characteristics of respondents were also examined.A series of vignettes in combination with an open‐ended response format were used. Fifty face‐to‐face interviews were carried out with residents in a rural community area in Crete. A thematic analysis was employed.It was found that the type of symptomatology influenced respondents' reactions. Social environmental factors, childhood experiences and personality characteristics were more likely to be offered as ætiological factors for depression, anxiety and schizophrenia with negative symptoms. In contrast, the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and paranoia were more likely to be attributed to biological factors. The respondents expressed a remarkably reserved attitude towards psychiatrists and use of psychotropic drugs. Psychological assistance and social support were more likely to be recommended as treatment methods. The gender of the vignette actor influenced respondents' reactions in relation to schizophrenia with positive symptoms and schizophrenia with negative symptoms. Respondents' gender and age were found to have no influence.Vignette methodology was proved to be a valuable tool to demonstrate the complexity of lay perceptions concerning mental disorder. Respondents clearly expressed a need for mental health education indicating future implications for interventions in this area.

Chemometrical classification of biomonitoring analytical data for heavy metals. Part II. Mosses as bioindicators

The present paper deals with chemometric interpretation of the bioindicating ability of mosses for heavy metal pollution in urban and rural areas of Greece. Fourteen different moss species collected at twelve sampling sites are included in the study. Four heavy metals concentrations (lead, zinc, copper and cadmium) are determined in each of the totally 61 various samples (with respect to plant speciation and site characteristics). Cluster and principal components analysis are applied as classification and display approaches to reveal, on one hand, specific information about mosses specificity towards pollution species and, on the other hand, response of the sampling location towards bioindication by the use of mosses. It is shown that no specific differentiation with respect to the biotope or mosses’ family is proved probably, due to lack of sampling design strategy rather than to equal bioindicator response or similar ecological situation in the regions of sampling. Specific detection is proved mainly in region with well‐expressed pollution.

Surveillance of brucellosis in a rural area of Greece: application of the computerized mapping programme.

Long term active surveillance of brucellosis was implemented in a rural area (Fokida) of Greece from 1989 to 1993 while the rural area of Grevena was selected as a control area. The computerised mapping programme was used to identify and protect the suspected animal brucellosis free zones. Health education of the inhabitants was further used to teach them how to avoid the risk factors. Three suspected brucellosis free zones were identified and two of them were successfully protected. The incidence for the 10 year period (1979-1988) was estimated at 1.4/1000/year for the study area and 1.6/1000/year for the control area. During the surveillance period the incidence in the study area dropped to 0.2/1000/year while in the control area it decreased to 1.0/1000/year. The methodology of identification and protection of suspected brucellosis free zones combined with health education proved to be efficient in reducing the incidence of the disease. The same methodology could be used in the country level, in countries where it is difficult to implement and maintain an animal control programme in the whole country.