Sexuality, sexual and reproductive health: an exploration of the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Greek-Cypriot adolescents

The study examines the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Greek-Cypriot adolescents regarding sexuality, sexual and reproductive health in Cyprus and is based on the concepts of culture, gender and sexuality under the general scope of health promotion and health education. The study reviews international and local literature on the theory and practice of these ideas and their influence on health, focusing on sexuality. Since culture and society are thought to influence health and sexuality, an extensive discussion is presented on the history of Cyprus and its development in contemporary years. This is a Pan-Cyprian study of 697 third grade students (13-15 years old) in public general secondary (high) education schools (gymnasium) in Cyprus. A close-ended questionnaire was designed including 51 questions. Three axes were taken in consideration: Knowledge; resources and needs; attitudes and beliefs. With the application of statistical analyses such as factor and cluster analysis, several results were drawn. Among other things the findings reveal that socio-cultural determinants such as religion/church, do have enormous impact on Greek-Cypriot adolescents' attitudes and beliefs. Although young people do have some knowledge about sexuality, limited resources and services exist to support and reinforce that. In the Cypriot society of the 21st century some conservatism and taboo still exist. Gender differences are apparent. Greek-Cypriot society at some point seems to have different expectations, roles and even a 'code of ethics' among males and females. Researching sexuality issues is a challenge since up until recently sexuality was very much a taboo area. Contemporary Cypriot society is becoming more sensitive and open about it even though a degree of conservatism still exists. However, there is limited scientific evidence on sexuality matters. This study aims to provide some evidence. When a shift in attitudes takes place is firstly noticed among adolescents. Based on the literature review and the results of this study a theoretical explanatory model was developed. At the end, the study highlights its conclusions and several recommendations are made for future investigation and progress in the fields of health and education

First-Time Exploration into Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Across Small-Areas in Cyprus: Spatial Patterning and Associations with Rurality Indicators

INTRODUCTION: At 77 per 100,000, female breast cancer incidence rates in Cyprus are consistent with other countries in Southern Europe. However, with complete absence of GIS from the Public Health arena, the extent of geographic inequalities in mortality and incidence across communities on the island, if any, remain unknown. We investigated the geographical patterning of breast cancer across small-areas in Cyprus and its association with rurality indicators.METHODS: Standardised Mortality and Incidence Ratios (SMRs/ SIRs) across 370 communities were calculated based on latest available registry data for period 2004–11 and 2003–08, respectively to ensure sufficient numbers. Bayesian hierarchical Poisson models with spatially unstructured and/or structured random effects were used to smooth maps and investigate the association with population density (rurality), population potential (remoteness from major population centers) and percentage of retired population. RESULTS: SMRs (range 0–6) and SIRs (range 0–4) were unreliable at such a small level of aggregation (median population 129, IQR: 47–416, 10% of areas > 1500).Nevertheless, up to two-fold differences remained across smoothed maps, with as much as 80% of the variation explained locally. Mortality and incidence demonstrated a similar geographic pattern with higher rates in and around metropolitan areas and lower rates in rural and mountainous areas.Population density (1.13 95% CI ¼ 1.04–1.23, per SD increase) and population potential (1.09 95% CI¼ 1.01–1.19) were both significantly associated with increased mortality rates. Similar associations were observed with incidence rates which were also inversely associated with the percentage of retired population (0.92, 95%CI¼ 0.84–0.99). Interestingly, more than three-fold differences were observed in Mortality-to-Incidence ratios, suggesting differences in survival and/or registration quality.CONCLUSIONS: Even on a small island like Cyprus there is substantial small-area variation in breast cancer mortality and incidence rates, more likely to suggest urban-rural differences in reproductionrelated factors, even though the influence of other lifestyle and environmental factors cannot be ruled out