The PrePARE for LIFE study is coordinated and funded by the School of Health Sciences,
Cyprus University of Technology in collaboration with Biobank.Cy (www.biobank.cy) and the
University of Nicosia Medical School. The research team consists of a group of researchers with expertise in Paediatrics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Psychology and Mental Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Lifestyle Medicine and Health Literacy.
Below is an overview of the researchers and clinicians involved in the PrePARE for Life project.

Cyprus University of Technology – Host Institution
Principal Investigator:
Dr Ourania Kolokotroni, Assistant Professor in Pathophysiology, Pediatrician

Research Group:
Dr Nicos Middleton. Associate Professor in Research Methodology
Dr Angelos Kassianos. Lecturer in Health Psychology
Dr Andrie Panayiotou. Associate Professor in Public Health
Dr Christiana Nicolaou, Assistant Professor in Paediatric Nursing
Dr Eleni Hadjigeorgiou, Assistant Professor in Midwifery
Dr Koralia Michael, Special Teaching Staff, Paediatric Nurse
Ms Andrea Cannas, Nutritionist, PhD student

CY Biobank , University of Cyprus
Professor Constantinos Deltas, Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics,
Director of biobank.cy
Ms Stella Antoniou, MSc, Quality Manager and Acting Biobank Manager
Dr Apostolos Malatras, PhD, IT Manager / Senior Bioinformatician / BBMRI.cy
Cyprus IT head

University of Nicosia
Dr Elena Philippou, Associate Professor in Nutrition-Dietetics
Dr Constantina Constantinou, Professor in Molecular Biology
Dr Alexia Papageorgiou, Professor in Medical Education and Clinical
Communication

The aim of the research programme PrePARE for LIFE is to evaluate the health profile of adults of preconception age i.e. men and women of reproductive age who have not yet had children and better understand the interlinked effect of various risks, behaviours and health determinants in the disease development process.

Whilst the current study is a baseline study, the ultimate aim is for the participants to be followed up in time to understand how their preconception exposures and behaviours can affect them and their children long term, similar to studies done abroad such as the Nurses study in the USA.

The baseline study, which will run over a period of 2 years aims to:
1. Assess a wide variety of lifestyle habits, health behaviours and health intentions in a group of
individuals of reproductive age

2. Evaluate the interlinked effects and potential interrelations of the various health behaviours and intentions on current and future health

3. Explore barriers and facilitators to optimising health and health behaviours before conception

4. Create a data and biological bank in order to investigate over time the role of various preconception factors in the development of chronic diseases in parents and offsprings

The study population will consist of students enrolled in the programmes of the School of Health Sciences of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and their partners. All participants will be asked to complete a three-phase online research programme that will bring together several important focus areas in every adult’s health care.

The Base line study consists of 3 phases:

Phase A – All about your LIFE and STYLE (Recruitment Phase):
Information on lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, social support, use of risky substances like tobacco products, alcohol AND anthropometric measurements.
Introduction to Biobank.cy Study for collection of biological specimens

Phase B – All about your BODY and HEALTH: Information on mental health (and Reproductive and sexual Health

Phase C – All about your MIND and SELF: Information on Quality of life, Health literacy skills, Knowledge/Attitudes on Preconception health, motivation to change health behaviours, academic motivation.

Coming soon

In the current study, participants will form a valuable cohort of women and men of reproductive
age to be followed over their lifetime in order to help identify evidence about the role of their lifestyle on their health and that of their offsprings. The PrePARE for LIFE study aspires to
develop into a longitudinal study, similar to the Nurses’ Health study in the USA, which was established in 1976, has had more than 280,000 participants and has been one of the largest study to investigate risk factors for chronic disease in women.

The study will be recruiting participants during Spring of 2024. If you belong to any of the below groups, please get in touch with us as we would like to hear from you

• Are between 18-45 years old
• Are a Health Science student enrolled in the BSc Nursing Degree or BSc Speech and
  Language Therapy Degree of CUT
• Are a partner of the Health Science student
• Have no history of successful pregnancy to term

What does participation in the research programme involve?
The collection of data in the PrePARE for Life research programme will form the basis of a data bank consisting of (a) self-reported information across a wide range of exposures and health
related behaviours, (b) body measurements and (c) biological specimens (in collaboration with
CY-Biobank).

If you agree to participate in the PrePARE for LIFE study, you will be asked to complete online questionnaires at 3 phases in time within the next 6-8 months:

A) Phase A – All about your LIFE and STYLE (Recruitment Phase): Information on your personal and demographic characteristics (such as name, age, educational background, social class, parents’ educational level and social class) and your lifestyle factors (such as dietary habits, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, social support, use of risky substances like tobacco products, alcohol)

At Phase A, your height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and arterial stiffness will be measured onsite by a research assistant. It is expected that these measurements will
take less than 10 minutes.

At the same time, you will be informed about the [A15]Biobank.cy study. Biobank.cy study involves giving biological specimens (blood and Urine). You DO NOT have to participate in both studies if you do not wish to. If interested, you will be given the opportunity to follow the recruitment process of that study as well and provide biological specimens. The results of the initial testing of your blood and urine (full blood count, cholesterol, triglycerides, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, glucose and urine biochemistry analysis) will be shared with the PrePARE for LIFE study provided that you consent to that.

B) Phase B – All about your BODY and HEALTH: Information on your mental health (such as levels of perceived stress, anxiety and depression) and Reproductive and sexual Health (such as menstrual history, use of contraception etc.)

C) Phase C – All about your MIND and SELF: Information on Quality of life, Health literacy skills, Knowledge/Attitudes on Preconception health, motivation to change health behaviours, academic motivation.

What else is measured?
Some of you will be invited to come to a focus group discussion to provide more information about the barriers and facilitators to being healthy. Again, you do not have to participate in the
focus group discussion if you do not wish to. The discussion will be in groups of 8-10 people and will last about 2 hours.

Where will my data be stored and for how long?
At all phases, your data will be coded and stored securely in the Cyprus University of Technology server and access to your personal identifiable data (name, contact details) will only be accessible by the Personal Investigator and Study Coordinator. Please note that the data collected for PrePARE for LIFE will be kept for at least 10 years. It is anticipated that the research team will secure further funding to continue the study and follow up participants at frequent intervals (3 yearly) for further assessments. If this comes to fruition, you will be asked to sign a new consent form at the time. By signing this consent form you are not obliged to take part in any subsequent study.

What is the expected benefit for participants?
Whilst there might be no immediate direct benefits to you, it is widely known that participation in a health-related research study changes one’s understanding and perception of their health and leads to better outcomes. In addition, the research team will plan activities/events to promote
lifestyle changes in areas where challenges are identified by the study for example culinary workshops, informational events on sleep, opportunities for physical activity. Other than our official website, we [A16]have accounts on social media and information about the PrePARE for
Life study will be posted at regular intervals in the form of newsletters. These newsletters will also be communicated to you via email and will include information such as international recommendations for healthy sleep habits or exercise recommendations. Participants that will
consent to the Biobank Cy protocol will also have the opportunity to obtain a free report of their individual blood and urine results from CY-Biobank as per their procedures and protocol.

Coming Soon

If you would like to know further information with regards to the progress or findings of the study
please see contact details listed below:

Ms Andrea Cannas, Study Coordinator
Email: aj.cannas@edu.cut.ac.cy

Dr Ourania Kolokotroni, Study Principal Investigator
Email: o.kolokotroni@cut.ac.cy

Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences,
Cyprus University of Technology
15, Vragadinou Str, 3041 Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: +357-25002250