Hepatitis C virus attributable liver cancer in the country of Georgia, 2015-2019: a case-control study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to a type of primary liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Georgia, a high HCV prevalence country, started an HCV elimination program in 2015. In addition to tracking incidence and mortality, surveillance for the HCV-attributable fraction of HCC is an important indicator of the program's impact.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Georgia.

The annual global May Measurement Month screening campaign initiated by the International Society of Hypertension aims to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP) and in the absence of systematic screening is a useful surrogate indicating the size of the problem of hypertension in the general population in Georgia. May Measurement Month screening was carried out at 400 sites in Georgia in 2021, and more than 500 volunteers, including physicians (80%) and medical students (20%), carried out in the screening. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically, and three BP readings were measured, along with a questionnaire collecting information on demographics, lifestyle, and co- morbidities.

Relationship Between Hepatitis C Infection and Treatment Status and Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Hospitalizations in Georgia.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related hospitalizations in Georgia.

Methods: We analyzed 2020-2021 Georgian health registry data for COVID-19-positive individuals and categorized the data by HCV infection and treatment status. Logistic regression was used to assess the strengths of the associations.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and the risk of adverse maternal outcomes in the Republic of Georgia: a national birth registry-based cohort study.

Background: Georgia experienced an increase in maternal deaths (MD) during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which warrants further investigation. This study aimed to assess associations between timing of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and MD, post-delivery intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and caesarean section (CS) delivery.

Methods: We performed a national birth registry-based cohort study of pregnant women who had completed 22 weeks of gestation and delivered between February 28, 2020, and August 31, 2022.

Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt.

Background: Rapid antigen-detection tests for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing represent a useful tool for pandemic control and expanding access to community-level case screening. COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries since 2021; however, their introduction and programmatic implementation in low- and middle-income countries was delayed. We aimed to identify and continuously improve a weekly COVID-19 self-testing model among staff at healthcare facilities and schools.