A transdiagnostic psychosocial prevention-intervention service for young people in the Republic of Georgia: early results of the effectiveness study.

Background: The decade between the ages of 14 and 25 is a particularly vulnerable period for the development of mental health problems, especially of common mental disorders. Mental health and psychosocial prevention and support services for young people in the Republic of Georgia have been extremely limited, leaving a wide treatment and care gap. Club Synergy was designed as an innovative, pragmatic solution that is responsive to the needs of young people and incorporates all necessary levels of care required (prevention, early identification & intervention, and treatment) into a single, trauma-informed service that uses a transdiagnostic approach.

How do participatory methods shape policy? Applying a realist approach to the formulation of a new tuberculosis policy in Georgia.

Objectives: This paper presents the iterative process of participatory multistakeholder engagement that informed the development of a new national tuberculosis (TB) policy in Georgia, and the lessons learnt.

Methods: Guided by realist evaluation methods, a multistakeholder dialogue was organised to elicit stakeholders' assumptions on challenges and possible solutions for better TB control. Two participatory workshops were conducted with key actors, interspersed by reflection meetings within the research team and discussions with policymakers.

Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence and risk determinants among people who inject drugs in the Republic of Georgia.

Introduction: In Georgia as in most Eastern European countries, injecting drug use remains one of the leading transmission modes of HIV infection. This paper aims to identify HIV prevalence and risk determinants among people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methodology: A cross -sectional, anonymous bio-behavioral survey of PWID was conducted in seven cities of Georgia in 2014-2015.

Determinants analysis of outpatient service utilisation in Georgia: can the approach help inform benefit package design?

Background: The healthcare financing reforms initiated by the Government of Georgia in 2007 have positively affected inpatient service utilisation and enhanced financial protection, especially for the poor, but they have failed to facilitate outpatient service use among chronic patients. Non-communicable diseases significantly affect Georgia's ageing population. Consequently, in this paper, we look at the evidence emerging from determinants analysis of outpatient service utilisation and if the finding can help identify possible policy choices in Georgia, especially regarding benefit package design for individuals with chronic conditions.

Population Size Estimation of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Tbilisi, Georgia; Multiple Methods and Triangulation of Findings.

Introduction: An accurate estimation of the population size of men who have sex with men (MSM) is critical to the success of HIV program planning and to monitoring of the response to epidemic as a whole, but is quite often missing. In this study, our aim was to estimate the population size of MSM in Tbilisi, Georgia and compare it with other estimates in the region.

Methods: In the absence of a gold standard for estimating the population size of MSM, this study reports a range of methods, including network scale-up, mobile/web apps multiplier, service and unique object multiplier, network-based capture-recapture, Handcock RDS-based and Wisdom of Crowds methods.

Healthcare utilization and expenditures for chronic and acute conditions in Georgia: does benefit package design matter?

Background: In 2007 the Georgian government introduced a full state-subsidized Medical Insurance Program for the Poor (MIP) to provide better financial protection and improved access for socially and financially disadvantaged citizens. Studies evaluating MIP have noted its positive impact on financial protection, but find only a marginal impact on improved access. To better assess whether the effect of MIP varies according to different conditions, and to identify areas for improvement, we explored whether MIP differently affects utilization and costs among chronic patients compared to those with acute health needs.

An impact evaluation of medical insurance for poor in Georgia: preliminary results and policy implications.

Objective: The objective of this article is to assess the impact of the new health financing reform in Georgia-'medical insurance for the poor (MIP)'-which uses private insurance companies and delivers state-subsidized health benefits to the poorest groups of the Georgian population.

Methods: To evaluate the reform we looked at access to health care services and financial protection against health care costs, which are two key dimensions proposed for the universal coverage plans. The data from two nationally representative Health Utilization and Expenditure Surveys (2007 and 2010) were used, and a difference-in-difference method of evaluation was applied.