Europejska tożsamość Gruzji, od przeszłości do przyszłości

Głównym celem tej pracy jest zbadanie istoty poczucia tożsamości narodowej i tożsamości europejskiej z naciskiem na Gruzję i jej drogę ku zachodowi od momentu uzyskania niepodległości do dzisiaj. Metodologia niniejszej pracy obejmuje przegląd teoretyczny, historyczny i analityczny.Pierwsza część pracy ma na celu zbadanie natury tożsamości i procesu jej transformacji w tożsamość narodową. Druga część ma na celu zbadanie idei narodu, gdzie i w jakich okolicznościach została ukształtowana, a następnie doprowadziła do powstania ideologi nacjonalizmu. W części trzeciej znajduje się dyskurs o historycznym pojawieniu się Gruzji jako kraju, o jej dążeniu do wolności i niezależności pod różnym przywództwem i poprzez różne fazy ruchów narodowych. W ostatniej części pracy analizuję teorię tożsamości europejskiej z różnych punktów widzenia, obrazuję jej rozwój i relacje między Gruzją a UE. W tej samej części rozważam na temat europejskich wartości, badam opinię publiczną, poczucie przynależności do Europy w Gruzji i chęć przynależności do Unii Europejskiej oraz analizuję wyniki przeprowadzonych badań.The main subject of the interest of the thesis is to investigate the nature of Identity, nation and the European Identity, with focus on Georgia and it's development through the path of west from emergence as an independent state to present time. Thesis methodology comprises of theoretical, historical and analytical overview.The first Section of the thesis is directed to investigate the nature of Identity with its layers and transformation into national identity.The second section is to study the idea of the nation, in where and what circumstances was it formed and followed with nationalism as an ideology.In the Third section, there is a discourse of historical emergence of Georgia as a nation, its strive for liberty and independence through different leadership and different phases of national movements.In the last fourth section of the thesis, I analyze the theory of European Identity from different understandings, picture the relationships and its development between Georgia and EU. In the same section, I argue about the European Values. I research Georgians public opinion and feeling of belonging to Europe, trust and confidence and will to be part of the European Union and try to analyze the outcomes of research

Prevalence and correlates of tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco and passive smoking in Georgian adults: results of non-communicable disease risk factors STEPS survey Georgia 2016

Background Despite the growing problem of tobacco epidemic in Easter Europe and Former Soviet Union, there is a lack of national based scientific data that could serve as an evidence for appropriate policy level interventions. Methods A population-based national cross-sectional survey was conducted using the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance in aged 18-69 age group. A multi-stage cluster sample design and weighting were used to produce a national representative data for that age range. Total number of participants who took part in the survey was 5554. Results The prevalence of tobacco use, both smoking and smokeless together was 31.1%, 57.1% in men and 7.1% in women respectively. 29.9% of current tobacco users reported smoking cigarettes, among them 55.3% men and 6.6% women respectively. Biggest majority of current cigarette smokers were also defined as daily smokers, 51% men and 6.2 % women respectively. Mean age of starting smoking was reported 17.8 in men and 22.4 in women. Smokeless tobacco was used only by 0.3% of adult Georgian population, among them 0.6% men and 0.1% women respectively. 43% of all participants were exposed to passive smoking at home, about 16% at the workplace. Conclusions Tobacco use and second hand exposure to tobacco smoke was a significant public health concern in Georgia. Cigarette smoking was identified as almost exclusive form of tobacco use in Georgia. This study provides the data which can be used by policy makers to shape evidence-based policies and targeted interventions

Assessing tobacco marketing regulation implementation level in Georgia: evidence from Non Communicable Disease Risk Factors STEPS Survey Georgia 2016

Background Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide; the biggest burden of it falls on low- and middle-income countries and this trend is expected to widen further in case of inaction. The overall objective of the study is to describe and analyze the findings of the Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors STEPS Survey Georgia 2016 related to tobacco marketing regulation. Methods The current study in Georgia was a population-based STEPS survey of randomly selected adults aged 18-69 within each sex and 10-year age-group. A multi-stage cluster sample design was used to produce representative data for that age range in Georgia. A total of 5554 adults participated in the current survey. We assessed level o tobacco marketing regulation implementation in Georgia. Results Study results reported high prevalence of tobacco use in Georgian population (31.1% (95 % CI: 29.0-33.1)). Study findings showed that about half of the current smokers are exposed to anti-tobacco information on TV or radio 52.3% (95% CI: 48.9 - 55.7), whereas 35.5% (95% CI: 32.2 - 38.8) reported being exposed to cigarette marketing at points of sales of tobacco products and 4.7% (95% CI: 3.2-6.1) to any cigarette promotions. Health warnings on cigarette packs was reported to be noticed by 88.7% (95% CI: 85.8-91.6)) of current smokers; only 33% (95% CI: 25.4 - 40.7) of them reported having thought about quitting because of these warnings. Conclusions The prevalence of smoking in Georgia is high compared to other countries of the European Region and it is very likely that smoking related NCDs burden will increase. Stricter tobacco control policies coupled with anti-tobacco media campaigns can address this problem. Improved health warnings on tobacco packages and total ban of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship should be implemented in order to overcome prevailed tobacco industry marketing strategies

Prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is a serious problem that has a devastating impact on health. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as to determine whether medical education has an impact on smoking. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Tbilisi State Medical University and Tbilisi State University, both of which are located in Tbilisi, Georgia. A total of 400 4th-year students (200 students at each university) were asked to complete standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the sample as a whole, 48.75% were identified as smokers and 51.25% were identified as nonsmokers. The mean age was 20.24 years among smokers and 20.26 years among nonsmokers. Of the medical students, 49.5% were smokers, as were 48.0% of the non-medical students. The male-to-female ratio in the study population was 0.9:1.1. Smoking was found to have a strong relationship with gender, males accounting for 65% of all smokers. Of the smokers, 56.9% stated that they would like to quit smoking (for health or financial reasons). Of the medical students, 59.5% expressed a willingness to quit smoking, as did 54.2% of the non-medical students. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve smoking education for undergraduate students. Special attention should be given to the inclusion of anti-smoking education in undergraduate curricula, as well as to the implementation of smoking prevention campaigns at institutions of higher education. However, such measures will be effective only if tobacco control policies are strictly enforced on the national level as well

Tobacco control in Georgia – key achievements and challenges

Georgia has one of the highest smoking prevalence among the European countries; cigarette smoking alone kills 8000 to 11 000 (22% of all death cases) people per year. In 2013 in order to address the devastating health and economic burden of the growing tobacco epidemic, the Government of Georgia created the State Tobacco Control Committee chaired by the Prime Minister. National Tobacco Control National Strategy and 5 year Action Plan which is in line with the WHO FCTC and with the standards of the European Union were approved by the Government of Georgia. On May 30, 2017 the amendments to the Tobacco Control bills have been adopted by the Parliament of Georgia. Important issues of tobacco control new regulations are: from May 2018 ban of smoking in all public transport and buildings, ban of all forms of advertisement, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco, its accessories and devices for its use, including ban of display at points of sales and restriction of demonstration of smoking in movies and massive performances; from September 2018increasing size of health warnings to 65% and obligatory pictorial warnings on front side of the packages of smoking tobacco, etc. The National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) is implementing the State Program on Health Promotion, the largest component of which is tobacco control, including media campaign, training of Quitline staff and PHC providers, monitoring of enforcement of smoke-free legislation in public premises, developing a tobacco cessation mobile application and school educational materials. Despite the efforts of strives of the Georgian Government to combat the wide-spread tobacco epidemics in the country, tobacco industry interference in law implementation remains a big challenge

Factors of students' intercultural competence development in the context of Georgia PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Abstract: Research aims to define the impact of diverse cultural factors on formation of students' intercultural competences. Study revealed following negative tendencies: students have insufficient knowledge about different cultures, in fact, they do not have any experience of communicating with other cultural representatives, and they are reluctant to integrate with different cultures. These gaps are directly correlated with school culture dimensions, such as: school community diversity, teaching content, and the style of pedagogical relations. Among the positive trends, we can differentiate the following: students' readiness to consider different views in school-related decision-making process; students' belief that they can improve the school culture. The school, as the leading agent of intercultural education, should undertake the responsibility for developing intercultural competencies in students in order to eliminate the identified gaps and strengthen the positive trends, which can be achieved by active, consistent, and purposeful use of intercultural education methods and extracurricular educational strategies. PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT In Georgia as historically multicultural country, the modern trends of transformation of social, economic, political, demographic, and cultural environment has conditioned the search for adequate educational solutions. This research is an attempt to find solution through studying students' intercultural awareness and the factors affecting it. Intercultural education is directly related with intercultural awareness of family, school, and society. It was found that positive changes in family, school, and society culture towards diversity, parenting, and teaching content, style of relations has its immediate effect of students' intercultural competencies. Understanding these effects can improve future programs for intercultural education. Exploration of intercultural education issues can also help all the interested parties (Ministry of Education and Science, public schools, self-governments, non-government organizations, and parents) to develop and implement successful experience and overcome the difficulties

Current tobacco use and its associated factors among adults in Georgia: findings from Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors STEPS Survey Georgia 2016

Background Tobacco surveys of past decades show that tobacco use prevalence is high in Georgia; According to nationwide Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDC) Risk Factors STEPS Survey 2010 30% of adult population are current tobacco users. Another Nationwide Tobacco Survey 2014 reported 28% of tobacco use prevalence among Georgian adults. However, there has been relatively little progress in systematic study of the factors associated with this high tobacco use. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and its associated sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental factors in Georgia. Methods The current study in Georgia was a population-based STEPS survey of adults aged 18-69. A multi-stage cluster sample design was used to produce representative data for that age range in Georgia. The. A total of 5554 adults participated in the survey. The overall response rate was 75.7%. We assessed sociodemographics, behavioral and other health-related factors. Results The prevalence of current overall tobacco use was 31.1% (95 % CI: 29.0-33.1) which comprised of smoked tobacco use, smoked cigarettes and use of smokeless tobacco, 31.0% (95% 28.9-33.0) smoked tobacco, 29.9 (95% CI: 27.9-32.0) smoked cigarettes and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.0-0.6) use of smokeless tobacco. Smoking prevalence was significantly higher in men 57.1% (95% CI: 53.7-60.4) compared to women 7.1% (95% CI: 5.9-8.4), especially in younger age groups and with other substance abuse history (predominantly alcohol). Conclusions Despite of some efforts in the field of tobacco control, tobacco use (particularly smoking) was high in Georgia. Males, younger age groups, and population with addictions to other substances (especially alcohol) should be the primary target of behavioral interventions; The stricter implementation of tobacco control measures, including comprehensive ban of tobacco marketing and smoking in public places, improved health warnings on tobacco packages and anti-tobacco communication campaigns can have a significant positive impact on reducing growing tobacco epidemics in Georgia

Youth tobacco use and key tobacco control indicators in Georgian youth

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is a global standard for systematically monitoring youth tobacco use and tracking key tobacco control indicators. GYTS in Georgia was conducted in 2017 by National Center for Disease Control and Public Health in 13 to 15 years old students. The overall response rate was 78.7%. 15.4% of students (20.6% boys, 9.6% girls) currently used any tobacco products. 12.6% (16.9% boys, 7.6% girls) currently smoked tobacco; 8.4% (12.3% boys, 4.4% of girls) currently smoked cigarettes; 4.4% (5.0% boys, 3.2% girls) currently used smokeless tobacco. 13.2% (17.3% boys, 7.7% girls) currently used electronic cigarettes. More than 6 in 10 current sm,okers tried to stop smoking in the past 12 months. 43.2% of students were exposed to tobacco smoke at home and 58.6% inside enclosed public places. 3.7% of current cigarette smokers bought cigarettes from a store, shop, street vendor, or kiosk. Among current cigarette smokers who tried to buy cigarettes, 49.4% were not prevented from buying them because of their age. More than 6 in 10 students noticed anti-tobacco messages in the media; almost 5 in 10 noticed tobacco advertisements or promotions when visiting points of sale; more than 1 in 10 students had something with a tobacco brand logo on it. 79.4% definitely thought other people’s tobacco smoking is harmful to them and 83.9% favored prohibiting smoking inside enclosed public places. In order to increase access to effective and comprehensive educational and public awareness programs on health risks including the addictive characteristics of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke and about the benefits of the cessation of tobacco use and tobacco-free lifestyles guideline for teachers have been elaborated and printed; training selected teachers is in process. Funding: WHO-Euro WHO-FCTC Secretaria

Factors of students’ intercultural competence development in the context of Georgia

Research aims to define the impact of diverse cultural factors on formation of students’ intercultural competences. Study revealed following negative tendencies: students have insufficient knowledge about different cultures, in fact, they do not have any experience of communicating with other cultural representatives, and they are reluctant to integrate with different cultures. These gaps are directly correlated with school culture dimensions, such as: school community diversity, teaching content, and the style of pedagogical relations. Among the positive trends, we can differentiate the following: students’ readiness to consider different views in school-related decision-making process; students’ belief that they can improve the school culture. The school, as the leading agent of intercultural education, should undertake the responsibility for developing intercultural competencies in students in order to eliminate the identified gaps and strengthen the positive trends, which can be achieved by active, consistent, and purposeful use of intercultural education methods and extracurricular educational strategies