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  • Webinar on The peer review process – what happens when you send your manuscript to a journal

    This webinar took place on April 23, 2018. However, if you missed the session or want to listen to it again, you can watch the recording.

    Have you ever wondered what the journal editor’s viewpoint is on your article, or what happens once you send your manuscript to a journal? This webinar will provide an overview of the peer review process with advice for authors on how to engage constructively with comments from editors and reviewers, and what to do when you disagree.

    As part of a series of webinars jointly organized by HSG and Biomed Central exploring various aspects of publishing and the peer review process, this webinar will particularly focus on:

    • What happens during the peer review process

    • Models of peer review, why you should care

    • What Editors and reviewers are looking for

    • How decisions are made

    • How to respond to reviewers’ and editors’ comments

    • Dealing with rejection

    Curatio International Foundation hosts Health Systems Global Secretariat. Health Systems Global (HSG) is the first international membership organization fully dedicated to promoting health systems research and related knowledge translation. HSG brings together researchers, policy-makers, funders, implementers, civil society and other stakeholders from all over the world. Around 1900 HSG members work together to create, share and apply knowledge necessary for strengthening health systems globally.

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

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A new paper discusses HIV prevalence and risk factors among people who inject drugs in Georgia. The article was just published in The Journal of Infection in the Developimg Countries and is authored by Natia Shengelia, Ivdity Chikovani and Lela Sulaberidze.

    In Georgia as in most Eastern European countries, injecting drug use still remains one of the leading transmission modes of HIV infection. A cross -sectional, anonymous bio-behavioral survey of PWID was conducted in seven cities of Georgia in 2014-2015. Overall 2,022 PWID were investigated. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify association of HIV positivity with other factors.

    Significant associations were found between HIV positivity and history of drug injection, older age at first drug injection, safe sex behavior last year and preventive program coverage. HIV prevalence among PWID is stable and remains at low level. Our study shows that preventive interventions influence the sexual behavior of HIV positive PWID, however, the majority of injecting drug users are still not reached with these interventions. A changing environment may present additional challenges for harm reduction and current safe practices may change unless continuously supported by innovative HIV prevention programming.

    Download the full paper here.

    The article is also available on ResearchGate platform.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][ultimate_spacer height=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • CIF Publishes Anniversary Publication '20 Years of Health Care, 2014

    20 Years Anniversary brochure describes reforms that have significantly altered the landscape of health care in Georgia after collapse of the Soviet Union. The contents draw on important publications and oral narratives by those who have been initiators, implementers and witnesses to all major changes in the history of Georgia’s health system over the last two decades.

    Please view the Publication as PDF 

     

    Please also view the Animation about the Publication:

  • The Forbes and Skoll World Forum to discuss HIV/AIDS Epidemic with Director of CIF

    Which Region Has The Fastest-Growing HIV/AIDS Epidemic In The World?- Giorgi Gotsadze, Director of Curatio International Foundation was asked to discuss this issue with Forbes.

    The discussion precedes many health-related discussions to take place in September at the Clinton Global Initiative, the Social Good Summit, UN week and other such events.

    ‘Editor’s Note: In advance of the many health-related discussions to take place in September at the Clinton Global Initiative, the Social Good Summit, UN week and other such events, the Skoll World Forum asked some of the world’s leading voices in global health to paint a comprehensive picture of key trends, challenges and opportunities to realizing healthcare access and treatment around the world. A new piece will be posted everyday through Friday, and you can view the entire series here.

    Dr. George Gotsadze, MD, PhD, has more than 15 years of experience in health policy and systems. Since 1996, he has led Georgian think tank Curatio International Foundation, which focuses on health policy and health systems issues, primarily in the post-Soviet states.’

    See the interview on Forbes.com.

    See discussion on Skoll World Forum.

  • Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence among Conflict-Affected Men in the Republic of Georgia

    Article published on International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ISSN 1660-4601

    by Bayard Roberts, Ivdity Chikovani, Nino Makhashvili, Vikram Patel and Martin McKee

    There is very little evidence globally on tobacco use and nicotine dependence among civilian populations affected by armed conflict, despite key vulnerability factors related to elevated mental disorders and socio-economic stressors.

    The study aim was to describe patterns of smoking and nicotine dependence among conflict-affected civilian men in the Republic of Georgia and associations with mental disorders.

    As research in populations free from conflict has shown that greater tobacco use and nicotine dependence are associated with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use, it might be expected that those exposed to conflict may be more vulnerable to heightened tobacco use. Indeed, there is increasing concern over chronic diseases among conflict-affected populations, including tobacco-related diseases. Yet despite this potential vulnerability for heightened tobacco use, there are very few studies on tobacco use among conflict-affected civilian populations and they are generally characterized by small sample sizes and limited analysis, with only a few examining associations between tobacco use and mental disorders or trauma exposure. Identified papers include those addressing: smoking patterns of 989 Kurdish youth in Iraq; antismoking messages and current cigarette smoking status among 1,122 youth in Somaliland; current smoking and smoking cessation rates among 740 elderly people (including refugees) in Beirut, Lebanon; variances in smoking rates between 32 adolescent IDPs with 528 non-IDPs adolescents in Belgrade, Serbia; links between subjective threat of armed conflict and psychosocial outcomes (including cigarette smoking) among 24,935 conflict-affected Israeli and Palestinian youth; tobacco use among 194 immigrant and refugee youth in British Columbia, Canada; and smoking patterns, nicotine dependence and correlations with PTSD among 66 Bosnian refugees in a primary care setting in the United States.

    Better understanding of patterns and determinants of smoking is a first step in strengthening tobacco control, tackling tobacco use and its effects and thus of improving the long-term health of conflict-affected populations. This paper takes advantage of data collected as part of a broader study on mental health among conflict-affected populations in Georgia to examine smoking and nicotine dependence among conflict-affected civilian men in the Republic of Georgia.

    See the full article.

  • CIF’s contribution to Investing in Global Health and Development

    Since the creation of the Global Fund, the world’s financing instrument in the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria the role of private foundations has significantly increased in contributing to funding, participation in its governance and to the strategy of the organization.

    The Global Fund partners with non-governmental organizations, Foundations and private companies in four major areas: Contributor of Resources, Grant Implementer, Advocacy and Services, and Pro Bono Goods and Services. Curatio International Foundation (CIF) is the key partner listed among large business organizations such as Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), Anglogold Ashanti, Shell Foundation, Oil Search Limited etc.

    In order to assess the role they play in development aid, particularly in the field of health, Friends of the Global Fund Europe organized a conference bringing together European and American foundations to share experiences and perspectives on global health issues and how they could build effective partnerships with the Global Fund. The event took place on December 12, 2012 in Paris, France.

    The conference was a golden opportunity for participants to meet with representatives of European and American foundations involved in global health. The event was welcomed and leaded by high level guests such as Executives from world’s leading foundations, large businesses and the government.

    The conference agenda focused on three topics:

    – What is the contribution of foundations to health and development?
    – Can European foundations do more in global health and how?
    – How can European foundations build effective partnerships with the Global Fund ?

    George Gotsadze, Director of Curatio International Foundation made the presentation on the role of CIF in implementing Global- fund funded programs.

  • Submission of Applications for CIF Scholarship for Master Program Students near to deadline

    The deadline for submission documentations for CIF web site is approaching to deadline, June 15.

    Master program students of Public Health Management or BA with focus on Public Health management from accredited universities in Georgia are encouraged to participate in the scholarship program for 2012-2013 years.

    Description is available in Georgian.

  • CIF Calls for participation in internship program for 2011-2012

    Curatio International Foundation launches its internship program for 2011-2012 years and invites interns from around the world who are studying at masters or Ph.D. level and who are interested to have first-hand experience in the real-life setting and to contribute to the research projects implemented by the organization.

    Since 2002 CIF has hosted number of students from world’s leading universities such as Johns Hopkins, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Yale etc.

    Timing of the Internships

    – Winter interns (December through February) from 2 to 6 weeks
    – Summer interns (June through September) from 1 to 4 month

    Terms of the Internships

    This is non-paid internship although CIF provides following to the interns:

    – Office space and access to internet communication and office equipment;
    – Access to on-line library with more than 8,000 information resources and in 30 different languages

    For interns outside Georgia:
    – Internship coordinator, who provides continuous guidance around the research topic and support to an intern during their stay in Georgia and after their departure, during scientific paper preparation;
    – Logistical support prior to arrival to Georgia and during their stay, which includes following but not limited to: acceptance letter to facilitate obtaining travel grants from different donors, support for accommodation in Tbilisi-Georgia, guidance for travel, etc.
    – Block grant in the amount of 500 USD.

    The Benefits to Interns are:
    – Ability to apply knowledge and research skills on practice and satisfy project requirements at their school;
    – Contribute to and be one of the authors of a scientific paper published in a peer reviewed journal with high impact factor;
    – Interact with the professionals continuously involved/contributing to policy making process;

    Read the full description of announcement to obtain full information on application process and research topics for 2011-2012 years.

  • Winner of the Fellowship Program 2011 Revealed

    In May, 2011 the winner of the CIF fellowship program was revealed. According to the decision of the experts committee the fellowship will be granted to Maia Khutsishvili, Master program student of the Tbilisi State Medical University.

    Over more than 15 years, Maia has been exposed to different aspects of healthcare field. From early nineties she has been working as a Medical Doctor (Pediatrician) in the leading hospitals of Georgia. In 2009 she joined one of the largest pharmaceutical companies Aversi in the capacity of Medical Representative.

    Maia’s academic background includes master level degree from the Tbilisi State Medical University with the specialization of Pediatrician (completed in 1993). She expects her Master’s degree in Public Health Management by the middle of summer 2011.

    Aside from clinical experience, Maia has a strong knowledge of specifics of Public Health Management related issues. In 2008-2009 she passed basic program for the managers at Business School of European School of Management. Maia plans to exercise her power in public health management and contribute to development of this field in Georgia.

    “Curatio International Foundation has long been the the organization I would like to cooperate with. After completing Master’s program I plan to focus on issues that are embraced in public health management, such as HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Drug Addiction etc. These are topics that are widely covered by studies provided by CIF. Becoming the winner of the program is very important for me not only in terms of getting financial award and increasing motivation but also it poses a golden opportunity to get exposed to wonderful experience of Foundation’s experts and listen to their recommendations while working on the research projects in the future”- says Maia.

    CIF has been running the Fellowship Program since 2009. Participants are being selected through an open and merit-based competition. The grant worth around of 250 GEL monthly (over ten academic months) is given to ONE student of the Master Program of Public Health Management or Business Administration with the focus on Public Health Management.

    For further information please visit the fellowships page.

  • Prices, Availability and Affordability of Medicines in Georgia-the New Study Report Endorsed

    In December 2010 CIF wrapped up the second stage of the study exploring “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia”.

    The study aimed at increasing awareness of civil society and improved access to medicines for the population through strengthening respective evidence. Field works during the first stage of the study were conducted in December 2009, while the second phase in July 2010. During the second phase the research covered four Georgian regions involving 146 pharmacies.

    The present report “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia” attempted to obtain reliable data on these aspects and documents tendencies of change over the course of 6 months in 2010. The survey looked at availability and price of Innovative Brands and their equivalent low price generics, analyzed collected data by type of medicine, regional differences as well as by type of pharmacy. The survey also looks at medicine mark-ups and compares with mark-ups in European countries, measures affordability of standard treatments as percent of average subsistence monthly allowance and provides comparison of the standard treatments by innovative brands and equivalent low price generics. Though the study has not covered all therapeutic categories, these do not detract from the importance of the above results as basis for action and as baseline for future studies.