Thirios Athanasios

Medical Degree and Specialty

Pediatrics
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Greece. Qualified Pediatrician since 2017

Master's Degrees (MSc)

“Clinical Pediatrics and Nursing - Research” and “Strategies for Developmental and Adolescent Health,” National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine

Medical Management Programme

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Certified Training in European Paediatric Life Support (EPLS), European Resuscitation Council (ERC)

Doctoral Dissertation

PhD Candidate, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine
Research Topic: “Adolescence and Internet Use: An Epidemiological Study of High-Risk Behaviors Among Greek Adolescents.”

His research focuses on internet and digital media use during adolescence, high-risk behaviors, and their association with psychosocial functioning and adolescent health.

• Scientific Associate, Adolescent Health Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital (2019-present), with clinical, educational and research activities in Adolescent Medicine
• Pediatrician, Penteli Children's General Hospital, with clinical training in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Allergology, Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics, as well as in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Elena Venizelou Hospital
• Physician in healthcare facilities of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), as part of the PHILOS programme addressing the refugee crisis.
• Pediatrician, Vyronas Health Centre, Athens, Greece
• Involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, providing training in Pediatrics and Adolescent Health

His main areas of clinical and research interest include:

• Adolescent Medicine and Holistic Adolescent Healthcare
• Psychosocial Health and Mental Well-being in Adolescents
• Internet, Smartphone and Digital Media Use
• Problematic Internet Use and High-Risk Online Behaviors
• Body Image, Eating Behaviors and Disordered Eating
• Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Prevention, Vaccination and Health Education Interventions
• Development of Youth-Friendly Health Services

Selected International Publications

1. Karakatsani A, et al. Weekly Personal Ozone Exposure and Respiratory Health in a Panel of Greek Schoolchildren. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2017;125(7):077016.
2. Stavridou A, et al. Psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 in children, adolescents and young adults: A systematic review. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 2020;74(11):615–616.
3. Stavridou A, et al. Obesity in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic. Children. 2021;8(2):135.
4. Stavridou A, et al. Sexual Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults through COVID-19 Pandemic. Children. 2021;8(7):577.
5. Panagouli ED, et al. COVID-19 features in children and adolescents: a systematic review and pooled analysis. EMBnet Journal. 2021;26.
6. Mitsiaki I, et al. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Children. 2022;9(5):597.

He has also contributed as an author to scientific publications and research projects in the fields of Adolescent Health, Psychosocial Well-being, Sexual Health, Online Behaviors and Vaccination.

Editor's Choice Article - Children (MDPI)

Contributing author of the publication “Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature,” which was selected as an Editor's Choice Article by the international scientific journal Children (MDPI)

1. Active Member of the Hellenic Society for Adolescent Medicine
2. Guest Editor, Children (MDPI), Special Issue: “Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Impacts of Digital Media Exposure on Children and Adolescents.”
3. Contributor to Material Management for the scientific journal Developmental and Adolescent Health
4. Reviewer for scientific journals, including Developmental and Adolescent Health and Cureus