Generational differences in current sexual behavior among Georgian reproductive-aged women

Tinatin Abzianidze,1 Maia Butsashvili,1 Maia Kajaia,1 Jack A DeHovitz,2 George Kamkamidze11Health Research Union (HRU), Tbilisi, Georgia; 2Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USABackground: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a pronounced change in the availability of modern contraceptive methods and an accompanying shift in the knowledge and attitudes of Georgian women related to sexual behaviors. This study describes differences in sexual behaviors, condom use and family planning practices among several generations of reproductive-aged Georgian women.Methods: Study participants were recruited from three large cities in Georgia. Women >25 years were recruited from the Cervical Cancer Screening National Program by consecutive sampling; those <25 years were recruited from universities using random sampling. Data collection included self-administered, anonymous surveys. Bivariate analyses were conducted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were computed. Results: Among the 350 participants, independent predictors of age at first sexual intercourse were age (aPR 0.27; 95% CI 0.12–0.57), level of education (aPR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11–0.44), marital status (aPR 2.8;95% CI:1.3–6.0) and religion (aPR 4.01; 95% CI:1.17–13.68). Younger women were more likely to have a premarital sexual relationship compared to older women (RR=0.85; 95% CI: 0.80–0.89); older women were also significantly more likely to use family planning methods with a current partner (RR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.48–3.13). Similarly, advanced education was associated with family planning (RR=1.66; CI: 1.13–2.45).Conclusions: This study describes clear generational differences in current sexual behavior among Georgian women of reproductive age and these differences, especially in age at first sexual intercourse, premarital sexual relationship and use of contraceptive methods, are influenced by age, level of education, marital status and religion. This information is vital to designing contextually appropriate strategies to prevent sexually transmitted infections.Keywords: Georgia, generation, sexual behavior, sexual partners contraception, reproductive age, wome

Corrosion of Pipeline Systems as One of the Factors of Disturbance of Ecological Balance

ნაჩვენებია, რომ მილსადენი სისტემების კოროზია არის ეკოლოგიური ბალანსის რღვევის ერთ-ერთი მნიშვნელოვანი ფაქტორი. კოროზია განპირობებულია ლითონების თერმოდინამიკური არამდგრადობით. ლითონთა ქიმიური კოროზიული პროცესების შესაძლებლობის პროგნოზირებისა და შეფასებისათვის გამოყენებულია ჯიბსის თავისუფალი ენერგიის მინიმიზაციის მეთოდი. აღნიშნულია ეფექტური პრევენციული სტრატეგიის შემუშავების აუცილებლობა.It is shown, that the corrosion of pipeline systems is one of the significant factors of disturbance of ecological balance. Corrosion is conditioned by thermodynamic instability of metals. To predict and assess the possibility of chemical corrosion of metals Gibbs free energy minimization method is used. The necessity of developing an effective preventive strategy is noted

Associated factors for recommending HBV vaccination to children among Georgian health care workers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and subsequent liver diseases can be prevented with universal newborn HBV vaccination. The attitudes of health care workers about HBV vaccination and their willingness to recommend vaccine have been shown to impact HBV vaccination coverage and the prevention of vertical transmission of HBV. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the factors associated with health care worker recommendations regarding newborn HBV vaccination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study of prevalence and awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis B vaccine was conducted among randomly selected physicians and nurses employed in seven hospitals in Georgia in 2006 and 2007. Self-administered questionnaires included a module on recommendations for HBV, HCV and HIV.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1328 participants included in this analysis, 36% reported recommending against hepatitis B vaccination for children, including 33% of paediatricians. Among the 70.6% who provided a reason for not recommending HBV vaccine, the most common concern was an adverse vaccine event. Unvaccinated physicians and nurses were more likely to recommend against HBV vaccine (40.4% vs 11.4%, PR 3.54; 95% CI: 2.38, 5.29). Additionally, health care worker age was inversely correlated with recommendations for HBV vaccine with older workers less likely to recommend it.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Vaccinating health care workers against HBV may provide a dual benefit by boosting occupational safety as well as strengthening universal coverage programs for newborns.</p