Designup

Category: HIV/AIDS and Desease Surveillance

  • Population Size Estimation of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Georgia, 2014

    Curatio International Foundation together with Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health TANADGOMA implemented the survey project which aims to plan preventive interventions targeting high risk group and estimating the population size of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

    According National center for disease control and public health 4,131People living with HIV (PLWH) were officially registered by the end of 2013. The number of newly registered is 490 in 2013 and compare to 2012decreased by 7%.
    Georgia is among low HIV prevalence (0.07%) countries. The HIV epidemic is primarily restricted to the most-at-risk populations (MARP). Among newly registered HIV cases heterosexual transmission mode is the first route 49%; the share of drug use is the second 35% and the third is homosexual route of transmission 13% according to the national HIV surveillance system.The findings of the last Bio-BSS conducted in 2012 among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tbilisishowed that, HIV prevalence among MSM is 13%.

    Preventive interventions targeting this high risk group are implemented in the country, however for adequate planning and scaling-up of preventive interventions estimation of the MSM size is critical. Due to absence of this information in the country accurate coverage of preventive interventions is challenging as well.

    The current study is supported by Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. International experts are invited to participatein the survey design development and results analysis.

    For more information please view the full report.

  • Establishment of evidence base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening of HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country

    The project was funded by the Global Fund and implemented by the Curatio International Foundation (CIF) in partnership with Georgian Infectious diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Public Union “Bemoni,” and association “Tanadgoma.” The project took place from February, 2008 to December 2010.

    The aim of the project was to reform HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country. The project encompassed 3 basic components, each of them embracing series of activities.

    In the framework of the first (1) component of the project, Improvement of the routine HIV/AIDS Surveillance system, the HIV/AIDS surveillance system was assessed, which later allowed to develop the HIV/AIDS national surveillance plan. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology, as well as literature review have been applied for exploring international approaches and requirements for the HIV surveillance system, priorities of national policy, and legal environment; assessing information flows, technical capacities and human resources of health care facilities, public health centers, and laboratories/blood stations; and analyzing skills and drawbacks of professional staff in regards to HIV/AIDS surveillance.

    Exhaustive assessment and analysis of HIV/AIDS surveillance system led to the development of the National HIV/AIDS surveillance Plan. The document incorporates clear, comprehensive, and operationally viable information serves as a guideline for policy implementation and as an instrument for advocating and mobilizing adequate financial and technical resources. It increases understanding of key concepts and models of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system and suggests ways for effective labor division among various participants and responsible parties. The National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan provides an opportunity to better understand financial implications of strategy alternatives and choices to recognize financial requirements and effectively mobilize resources to support sustainability of the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System.

    Collaboration of the National HIV/AIDS Routine Surveillance Guidelines was the step following the elaboration of National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan, clarifying standard operational procedures for routine surveillance related to and without voluntary consulting and testing (VCT), consultation before and after blood capture, and transportation rules for HIV testing. HIV/AIDS Routine surveillance guideline was endorsed by the Decree of the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs #217/o on 23, July 2010.

    Along with endorsing guidelines, the trainings on routine HIV/AIDS surveillance requirements, registration/notification/reporting procedures were delivered to health care specialists throughout the country.

    Based on the National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan the electronic data base for HIV/AIDS surveillance system was developed. Electronic surveillance system collects case-based data on every tested individual by epidemiological groups. The data allows and software automatically calculates all routine surveillance indicators and produces different types of analytical reports.
    The second (2) component of the project foresaw elaboration of the sentinel HIV/AIDS Surveillance guidelines including registration, notification, reporting forms and standard operation procedures. Collection of data through sentinel surveillance would make it possible to provide evidence-grounded HIV/AIDS statistics and strengthen HIV/AIDS surveillance in Georgia.

    The third (3) component focused on carrying out behavior surveillance survey with biomarker component among the IDUs, CSWs, Prisoners and MSM and development of standard guidelines for BSS, including standard methodology, standard tools/questioners for data collection, and standard framework for data analysis.

    Newly designed HIV/AIDS surveillance system gathers information from different sources: routine surveillance, sentinel surveillance and BSS.

    Follow the links to view:
    Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys
    National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan (Eng.version)
    National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan (Geo.version)
    HIV/AIDS Surveillance Assessment Report (Eng.version)
    HIV/AIDS Surveillance Assessment Report (Geo.version)

  • 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.

  • Article on Springer-Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Injecting Drug Users in Georgia

    Curatio International Foundation has published the article on Springer, Aids and Behavior Section. The article covers the findings of CIF’s recent study on Injection risk practices and risky sexual behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners particularly vulnerable to HIV. The purpose of the study was to describe and understand determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among IDUs in Georgia. A cross-sectional, anonymous survey assessed knowledge, behavior and HIV status in IDUs in five Georgian cities (Tbilisi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi, Batumi) in 2009. The study enrolled in total 1,127 (1,112 males, 15 females) IDUs. Results indicate that occasional sexual relationships are common among male IDUs, including married ones.

    Authors of the article are: Ivdity Chikovani, Ketevan Goguadze, Ivana Bozicevic, Natia Rukhadze & George Gotsadze.

    See the abstract on Springer.

  • HIV risk and prevention behaviors among People Who Inject Drugs in six cities, Georgia, 2012

    Georgia is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence but high potential for developing a widespread epidemic. From the early stage of HIV epidemic in Georgia injecting drug use was the major mode of transmission. However, for the last two years heterosexual transmission became prevailing route for HIV spread.

    Current study represent the subsequent wave of Bio-Behavioral Surveys (Bio-BSS) undertaken in Georgia among People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) since 2002. Objective of Bio-BSS was to measure prevalence of HIV among PWIDs, provide measurements of key HIV risk behaviors and generate evidence for advocacy and policy-making. The study was implemented within the GFATM-funded project “Generate evidence base on progress in behavior modification among MARPs andeffectiveness of preventive interventions, to inform policies and practice” by Curatio International Foundation (CIF), Public Union Bemoni and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.

    See full version of the study report.

  • Survey of Barriers to HIV Testing Among People who Inject Drugs, Georgia, 2012

    HIV testing is an important preventive measure to avoid the HIV epidemics spread. Along with other measures implemented with the Government and donor organizations support in Georgia HIV testing is offered to the representatives of high-risk groups, including PWIDs. Although the level of awareness of this risk-group about the availability of counseling and testing services is satisfactory, the utilization of these services is low. This survey aimed at investigating factors promoting or hampering utilization of HIV testing services among PWIDs.

    The qualitative survey among PWIDs was conducted in 2012 in six big cities of Georgia (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Telavi, Gori) in parallel with the Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey. The survey applied in-depth interviews technique. In total, 56 respondents participated in the qualitative survey, 12 of which were females. Anonymity was ensured for the study participants. The study protocol and the questionnaire were approved by the Ethics Committee of the HIV/AIDS Patients Support Foundation. The fear of diagnosis is one of the leading barriers to HIV testing. This psychological barrier is supported by a deeply rooted stereotype that a positive HIV test result means a death sentence for the patient and that HIV infection is a disease which is dangerous for the patient’s social contacts. The fear of diagnosis is closely connected with stigma that exists in the society in relation with HIV positive / AIDS affected individuals. The survey revealed that stigma associated with drug users, especially female drug users, is a major impeding factor for undertaking HIV testing. By avoiding HIV testing drug users are, in fact, trying to keep themselves away from acquiring the double label of an “AIDS patient” and a “drug addict” (double stigma).

    Read the full report.

  • HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among key populations- Study Findings Published

    HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among key populations were studied in Georgia in 2012. The Biomarker Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (Bio-BSS) were carried out among People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) in six major cities, among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Tbilisi, Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Tbilisi and Batumi, and Prison inmates. Bio-BSSs are repeatedly carried out among key populations to monitor HIV epidemics, provide measurements of HIV risk behaviors, evaluate preventive interventions and generate evidence for policy-making.

    The studies were implemented by Curatio International Foundation; Public Union Bemoni; Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health – Tanadgoma; and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health. The studies were implemented within the GFATM-funded project.

    You can read the full reports here:

    HIV risk and prevention behaviors among Prison Inmates in Georgia
    HIV risk and prevention behavior among Men who have Sex with Men in Tbilisi, Georgia
    HIV risk and prevention behaviors among People Who Inject Drugs in six cities of Georgia
    HIV risk and prevention behavior among Female Sex Workers in two cities of Georgia
    Survey of Barriers to HIV Testing Among Intravenuous Drug Users in Georgia

  • HIV risk and prevention behavior among Female Sex Workers in two cities of Georgia, 2012

    Georgia is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence but with a high potential for the development of a widespread epidemic. From the early years of epidemic injecting drug use was the main route for HIV transmission, however, for the last two years heterosexual transmission is prevailing. According to the national HIV surveillance system, infections acquired through heterosexual contact account for 44.3% of all new HIV cases registered in 2012.

    This study represents the subsequent wave of Bio-BSS surveys undertaken among FSWs since 2002. Current study was conducted in 2012 using the Time-Location Sampling (TLS) sampling technique and managed to recruit 280 FSWs in total – 160 in Tbilisi and 120 – in Batumi. The objective of the 2012 Bio-BSS was to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among FSWs, to provide measurements of key HIV risk behaviours and to generate evidence for advocacy and policy-making. The study was implemented within the GFATM-funded project “Generate evidence base on progress in behavior modification among MARPs and effectiveness of preventive interventions, to inform policies and practice” by Curatio International Foundation (CIF), Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health – Tanadgoma and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
    Published in 2013.

    See the full version of the report.

  • Problems related to the unsafe injection practice in the Health care facilities of Georgia-Policy Brief, research report, 2011

    In accordance with the results of Global Disease Survey conducted by World Health Organization in 2000, every year 21 million people are infected with B Hepatitis, 2 million – with Hepatitis C and 260 thousand are infected with HIV by means of contaminated injection. 40% of B and C Hepatitis incidences among medical personnel are associated with professional activities[1].

    Current policy brief involves goals and findings of the study undertaken by Curatio International Foundation. The study looked at a) whether facilities meet necessary requirements of injection practices, equipment use and medical materials and waste management; b) Determining whether injection procedures are implemented in accordance with the recommendations of the best practice; c) Identifying practices posing risk over patients, personnel and society in order to implement respective interventions.

    Read policy brief and full version of the research report to learn more on background situation, findings and recommendations. (document is available in Georgian).

     

  • Methodology Guideline for Conducting Bio Behavioral Surveillance Surveys among high risk groups, 2010

    Curatio International Foundation developed the methodological guideline for conducting bio behavioral surveillance surveys. The document presents standarts of undertaking studies and includes sections such as general definition of terms, indicators, analytical tables etc.

    The document is available in Georgian.