ATHENS – Greeks’ naturally rebellious nature comes into play even with doctors with a survey finding 39.4 percent of patients with chronic problems won’t pay attention to orders how to better their lifestyle.

The National School of Public Health found, however, that 75 percent have had a general physical exam in the last year and 12.7 percent more in the past two years and that only 1.9 percent have never gone to the doctor.

However, almost 10 percent of people older than 40 had never had their cholesterol levels tested, and 20.6 percent of respondents over 50 said they rarely if ever had their blood pressure check and only 30.8 percent had had a colonoscopy, Kathimerini said.

Given a recommended diet, 12.3 percent rarely comply, 14.7 percent comply sometimes and 20.8 percent most of the time.

Bad news for the Health Ministry was the finding that while 33 percent said it was the best institution for raising public awareness about prevention, compared to only 7.9 percent for pharmacists, the ministry came last in terms of who citizens trust most to dispense public information.