Publications by authors named "O Chokoshvili"

Background: Life expectancy and quality of life of people living with HIV have been dramatically improved after introducing antiretroviral therapy, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases has increased. Several studies have found that hyperglycemia with or without type 2 diabetes was associated with poor outcomes in people living with HIV. The study's objective was to determine the prevalence of hyperglycemia and assess its impact on mortality.

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Among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- or middle-income countries, smoking and related factors have been understudied. We examined correlates of smoking status, level, and importance and confidence regarding quitting among 608 MSM in the country of Georgia recruited in June-September, 2016 (493 without HIV via peer referral in 3 Georgian cities; 115 with HIV via the National AIDS Center). Median age was 26 years, 78.

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Background: The country of Georgia has a high burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and prisoners are disproportionately affected. During 2013, a novel program offering no cost screening and treatment of HCV infection for eligible prisoners was launched.

Methods: The HCV treatment program implemented a voluntary opt-in anti-HCV testing policy to all prisoners.

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Globally, high rates (and in the WHO European region an increasing prevalence) of co-infection with tuberculosis and HIV and HIV and hepatitis C virus exist. In eastern European and central Asian countries, the tuberculosis, HIV, and viral hepatitis programmes, including diagnostic services, are separate vertical structures. In this Personal View, we consider underlying reasons for the poor integration for these diseases, particularly in the WHO European region, and how to address this with an initial focus on diagnostic services.

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Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes illness ranging from mild diarrhea to bloody diarrhea, to the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which manifests with a triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Surveillance of HUS and bloody diarrhea is not performed in Georgia. The primary objective of our study was to determine the annual incidence of diarrheal diseases.

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