title: An overview of pool and spa regulations in Mediterranean countries with a focus on the tourist industry.
abstract: The Mediterranean area is densely populated and a very popular tourist destination. This study aimed at gathering up-to-date information on current national pool and spa regulations. We formulated and duly distributed to 20 Mediterranean countries a questionnaire divided into two sections: for pool and spa facilities, respectively. The questionnaire was formulated in such a way that a positive answer would imply that the specific topic was addressed effectively. While all 20 countries responded to the swimming-pool-related questionnaire, only 11 of these countries reported the existence of spa-related regulations. When combining the response overall of all countries for pool and spa facilities together, of a grand total of 606 answers, 183 (30.2%) were positive. The positive answers in the pool section of the questionnaire were 29% of the total of 420 answers while positive answers in the spa section of the questionnaire were fewer (27.8% of the total of 176 answers). The countries were grouped by geographical area of the Mediterranean basin where they are situated. Also, the questions were grouped into broad thematic categories. The paper presents conclusions drawn on the basis of the data received according to these geographical and thematic groupings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratories, Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Ag Spyridona, 12210 Aigaleo, Greece E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr.
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mavridou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratories, Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Ag Spyridona, 12210 Aigaleo, Greece E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr; Central Public Health Laboratory, Hellenic Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, Alexandrou Fleming 34, Vari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratories, Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Ag Spyridona, 12210 Aigaleo, Greece E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr; West Attica General Hospital, Dodekanisou 1, 12351 Santa Barbara, Greece.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Papatzitze
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health & Environmental, Region of Central Greece, Viotia Regional Division, Hygiene Filonos 35-39, Livadia, Viotia 32100, Greece.
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blougoura
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratories, Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Ag Spyridona, 12210 Aigaleo, Greece E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Drossos
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D006294:Health Resorts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D008877:Middle East; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013551:Swimming Pools / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014195:Travel