Search

Background The right of euthanasia is the subject of worldwide discussion today, as it is one of the most controversial medical, religious, political, or ethical issues. This study aims to survey the attitudes of Orthodox parishioners toward the euthanasia. Methods: Within the quantitative study, the survey was conducted through a semistructured questionnaire. Respondents were the parishioners of the Orthodox Church. Within the qualitative study, the survey of the experts of the Orthodox Church, in particular the clergy, was conducted. During the survey of the experts, we used the snowball method. Results The majority of respondents (81%) were aware of euthanasia. The dominant opinion is that euthanasia is "the consent to life termination during the illness, when there is no way out and recovery is impossible" or "a terminally ill person voluntarily decides to end life painlessly." Those who disagree with euthanasia rely on the religious factors (why the church prohibits it). Those who agree with euthanasia action argue the legitimate human rights and free will of person. Most of the respondents (86%) have not heard about euthanasia practices in Georgia. Most of the respondents (71%) knew that the Orthodox Church prohibits euthanasia; 39% of the respondents believe that euthanasia is justified in medical terms. Conclusion It is advisable to raise public awareness on euthanasia in religious, medical, cultural, social, and legal aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: HIV/AIDS continues to be a major global public health issue. Georgia is a low-level HIV country with an HIV prevalence of less than 1% in all groups, including drug users. However, the HIV epidemic in Georgia is spreading from the traditional high-risk population to some in the general population. The experience in African countries has already indicated that the HIV epidemic grows rapidly, when heterosexual transmission becomes the main mode of HIV transmission. Younger adults continue to be a large risk factor for HIV/AIDS. Thus, concern is growing regarding sexual knowledge, attitude, and behavior among students, who are vulnerable to HIV infection due to deficient sex education. The aim of this study is to assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were 200 students from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The survey instrument was an online self-administered anonymous questionnaire conducted using Google survey software. Results: The study shows that students have good knowledge regarding the spread of HIV/AIDS and the risk of infection, but they often do not address preventive measures, diagnostic tests. Discussion: The society is less interested in HIV testing. Sex education is not sufficient in Georgia, particularly in schools. Hence, students can't receive adequate information on HIV/AIDS. At the same time, the low level of awareness among students increases the risk factor, stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes. Research indicate the need to develop additional educational programs with specific interventions to raise awareness about STD preventive measures and promote healthy sexual behaviors in order to prevent new HIV infections among younger adults. It is necessary to increase public awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention and diagnostic measures. The most preferred method of disseminating this information is either from the internet, television, or university educational courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social work profession worldwide has been increasingly influenced by globalization and its effects on social issues that require social workers to be responsive and knowledgeable in addressing them. In recent years there has been an increased emphasis on the internationalization of the social work profession and education. With limited examples of international social-work-teaching methods discussed in the literature, there is also a lack of information obtained directly from students on methods of instruction that they most prefer and find beneficial. This collaborative, comparative project examined students' perceptions of methods that make teaching international social work successful at three universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Georgia. While there were different preferences for content- and process-driven approaches in teaching, students' common interest was in gaining practice examples and exposure to real-life practice of international social work in their own and other countries. The findings suggest that international social work education needs to be more experiential and practice-based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]