Evaluation of alcohol use behavior among patients cured through HCV elimination program in Georgia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to understand the role of self-reported drinking behavior on liver health after achieving sustained viral response (SVR) among HCV patients.

Results: The study was conducted in HCV treatment provider clinics in three cities in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi, and Telavi. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a questionnaire developed specifically for this study.

Piloting a simplified bio-behavioural survey methodology, the BBS-Lite, among people who inject drugs in Georgia.

Background: During 2021 and 2023 two simplified Biological and Behavioural Study (BBS-Lite) surveys, and in 2022 one Standard Integrated Biological and Behavioural Study (IBBS), were conducted among people who inject drugs in seven cities in Georgia. From these, an opportunity to compare the implementation of these survey methods and results was able to be gained.

Methods: The two survey types were compared to find points of similarity and difference in their methodologies.

Seroconversion of hepatitis B vaccine among patients from outpatient clinic in Georgia.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious global health challenge with vaccination being the most effective preventive measure. However, several risk-factors may impact HBV vaccine immunogenicity. We aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the HBV vaccine.

Assessment of Viral and Clinical Characteristics Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Georgia.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is one of the major healthcare problems in Georgia. To achieve viral hepatitis elimination, gaps in diagnosis and management of chronic HBV infection need to be addressed. The aim of our study was to collect data on clinical and viral characteristics of patients with chronic HBV infection to estimate the proportion of patients who may need antiviral treatment.

Association of Treated and Untreated Chronic Hepatitis C With the Incidence of Active Tuberculosis Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes dysregulation and suppression of immune pathways involved in the control of tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, data on the role of chronic hepatitis C as a risk factor for active TB are lacking. We sought to evaluate the association between HCV infection and the development of active TB.

Barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among people who inject drugs in Georgia.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) in Georgia have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Access to care among PWID could be prioritized to meet the country's hepatitis C elimination goals. This study assesses barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among PWID in Georgia.

Door-to-door hepatitis C screening in Georgia: An innovative model to increase testing and linkage to care.

Objectives: Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In 2015 a national HCV elimination program was launched providing free access to screening and treatment. To achieve elimination, innovative approaches to increase screening coverage and linkage to care are needed.

Determining the lower limit of detection required for HCV viral load assay for test of cure following direct-acting antiviral-based treatment regimens: Evidence from a global data set.

Achieving global elimination of hepatitis C virus requires a substantial scale-up of testing. Point-of-care HCV viral load assays are available as an alternative to laboratory-based assays to promote access in hard to reach or marginalized populations. The diagnostic performance and lower limit of detection are important attributes of these new assays for both diagnosis and test of cure.

KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (SARS-COV-2) AMONG GEORGIAN POPULATION.

Georgia confirmed its first case of SARS-COV-2 infection on February 26, 2020. Despite the government's proactive measures during the early stages of the epidemic, number of new infections of SARS-COV-2 is increasing and by March 31, a total of 110 cases have been reported. Limited understanding about epidemics can lead to panic and disrupt public health efforts to contain transmission.

RISK FACTORS INFLUENCING HYPERSENSITIVITY TO THE LOCAL ANESTHETIC DRUGS.

The aim of the study was to identify risk-factors associated with hypersensitivity to local anesthetic drugs in an ethnically homogenous population. Allergy to anesthetic agents were evaluated by skin tests and venous blood tests for presence of allergen-specific immunoglobulins type E (IgE) by Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA). The skin tests were performed for the following local anesthetic groups: lidocaine, mepivacaine, articaine.

KNOWLEDGE OF GEORGIAN POPULATION TOWARDS AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD CONTAMINATION.

The goal of this study was to assess the level of knowledge about air pollution and the health effects of lead exposure among the population of Georgia. In 2019, a project entitled "Protect Environment" was conducted by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health and the Health Research Union. The online survey was carried out using a Facebook advertisement, which included the title, body text, the banner, and a link to the questionnaire.

A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS TB IN GEORGIA.

TB remains to be the major public health concern in Georgia. TB awareness and knowledge is usually low in the general population, which leads to delayed referral to a medical facility, which in turn hinders timely initiation of diagnostic and treatment interventions. Lack of knowledge also contributes much to the widespread stigma in the society.

KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO HIV/TB/HCV AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND THE INTEGRATED SCREENING IN KVEMO KARTLI REGION.

Integration of TB/HIV/HCV screening into primary health care has been implemented in Georgia since 2018. The aim of the program is to strengthen TB, HIV/HCV screening and early detection capabilities in the primary health care, as early detection and treatment are considered to be the most effective strategies to prevent these infections. The goal of the study was to evaluate and compare the baseline and follow-up knowledge about TB, HIV and HCV infectious among primary health care workers in Kvemo Kartli Region.

ASSOCIATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE WITH LIVER FIBROSIS AMONG PATIENTS TREATED FOR HEPATITIS C IN GEORGIA.

A seroprevalence survey was conducted in 2015 in Georgia among adults aged ≥18 years. This survey data was used to estimate anti-HCV seroprevalence in Georgia at 7.7% and HCV RNA prevalence at 5.

DISTRIBUTION OF HBV GENOTYPES AMONG GEORGIAN PATIENTS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major healthcare problems in Georgia with a prevalence of 2.9% in the adult population. There is no published data on HBV genotype distribution among different age groups in the country.

CLINICAL PHASES OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS B AMONG GEORGIAN PATIENTS.

Hepatitis B virus infection remains one of the major healthcare problems in Georgia with an exposure prevalence of 25.9% (Positive Anti-HBc) and chronic HBV infection (Positive HBsAg) 2.9%.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE SURVEY AMONG GEORGIAN HEALTH CARE WORKERS TOWARDS BLOOD BORNE INFECTIONS.

The prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in Georgia is among the highest in the region. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has selected Georgia as a pilot country for hepatitis C elimination program. Since 2015, Georgia launched a multi-year program of HCV elimination, including treatment of infected individuals with Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) and implementation of prevention programs, including infection control in health care facilities.

HIV AND STI RISK FACTORS AMONG GEORGIAN YOUTH.

Designing effective interventions for youth to address STI/HIV risk factors requires local context knowledge. This study gathers information about STI/HIV knowledge among Georgian youth, identifies STI/HIV risk behaviors and quantifies associations between socio-demographic factors and risk practices with HIV/STIs knowledge. Cross-sectional survey was conducted among 411 students using self-administered questionnaire.

Integration of hepatitis C treatment at harm reduction centers in Georgia-Findings from a patient satisfaction survey.

Background: Georgia launched national HCV elimination program in 2015. PWID may experience barriers to accessing HCV care. To improve linkage to care among PWID, pilot program to integrate HCV treatment with HR services at opiate substitution therapy (OST) centers and needle syringe program (NSP) sites was initiated.

DENTAL CLINICS: A RESERVOIR FOR HEPATITIS C VIRUS.

Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is well established, however the role of dental care in HCV transmission has been speculated but particularly difficult to quantify. This study investigated the potential for nosocomial transmission of HCV in dental clinics in a high HCV prevalence, middle-income country.  Dental health care workers (DHCWs) in 13 clinics in 3 cities were invited to participate.

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN GEORGIA.

Georgia is a country with high prevalence of hepatitis B. Based on a 2015 population serosurvey, the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is 2.9% and prevalence of anti-HBc is 25.

CONFIDENCE IN THE GEORGIA NATIONAL HCV ELIMINATION PROGRAM AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE.

Georgia is among the countries with a very high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The recent availability of highly effective, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) capable of curing >90% of persons treated has made HCV elimination a possibility. All adult citizens infected with HCV are eligible to receive free DAAs through the Georgia National HCV Elimination Program (Program).