The inclusion of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in smoke-free home and car rules: A cross-sectional survey of adults in Armenia and Georgia.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding who includes e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in smoke-free home or car rules could inform public health interventions, particularly in countries with high smoking prevalence and recently implemented national smoke-free laws, like Armenia and Georgia. METHODS: In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1468 adults in 28 Armenian and Georgian communities (mean age=42.92 years; 51.4% female, 31.6% past-month smoking). Multilevel regression (accounting for clustering within communities; adjusted for sociodemographics and cigarette use) examined e-cigarette/HTP perceptions (risk, social acceptability) and use intentions in relation to: 1) including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home and car rules among participants with home and car rules, respectively (logistic regressions); and 2) intention to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (linear regression, 1 = 'not at all' to 7 = 'extremely') among those without home rules. RESULTS: Overall, 72.9% (n=1070) had home rules, 86.5% of whom included e-cigarettes/HTPs; 33.9% (n=498) had car rules, 81.3% of whom included e-cigarettes/HTPs. Greater perceived e-cigarette/HTP risk was associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (AOR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.08-1.50) and car rules (AOR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.14-1.87) and next-year intentions to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (ß=0.38; 95% CI: 0.25-0.50). Lower e-cigarette/HTP use intentions were associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.63-0.88). While perceived social acceptability was unassociated with the outcomes, other social influences were: having children and no other household smokers was associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in car rules, and having children was associated with intent to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to address gaps in home and car rules might target e-cigarette/HTP risk perceptions.

Impact of COVID-19 on essential healthcare services at the primary healthcare level in Armenia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant global healthcare challenges, particularly impacting the continuity of essential health services in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization and provision of essential health services in Armenia. METHODS: We employed a conventional qualitative study design, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 17) within public and private primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Armenia in 2021. Our study participants encompassed physicians providing specialty services in PHC facilities (e.g. endocrinologists, gynecologists/obstetricians, and pediatricians), regular visitors to PHC facilities (e.g. adults with chronic diseases, parents of children), and policymakers. Thematic analysis was conducted, yielding five emergent categories: mobilization and organization of PHC services during COVID-19; PHC visits during COVID-19; worsening of chronic conditions due to the decline in PHC visits; problems with routine childhood vaccinations; and patient-provider communication challenges. RESULTS: The number of in-person visits to PHC facilities declined due to adaptations in service delivery, imposed lockdown measures, and the public's fear of visiting healthcare facilities. Maternal and child health services continued with no major disruptions. PHC providers deliberately limited the number of maternal and child visits to essential antenatal care, newborn screenings, and routine childhood immunizations. Still, children experienced some delays in vaccination administration. The pandemic resulted in a notable reduction in follow-up visits and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions, thereby exacerbating their chronic conditions. Phone calls were the primary method of patient-provider communication during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the delivery and utilization of essential healthcare services at PHC facilities, especially for those with chronic conditions who needed continuous care. Unified national-level guidance and technical capacity are needed to direct the provision of essential services at the PHC level, promote effective health communication, and implement digital platforms for the uninterrupted provision of essential care during public health emergencies.

Examining local smoke-free coalitions in Armenia and Georgia: context and outcomes of a matched-pairs community-randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Local coalitions can advance public health initiatives such as smoke-free air but have not been widely used or well-studied in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS: We conducted a matched-pairs community-randomised controlled trial in 28 communities in Armenia and Georgia (N=14/country) in which we helped establish local coalitions in 2019 and provided training and technical assistance for coalition activity promoting smoke-free policy development and enforcement (2019-2021). Surveys of ~1450 households (Fall 2018, May-June 2022) were conducted to evaluate coalition impact on smoke-free policy support, smoke-free home adoption, secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe), and coalition awareness and activity exposure, using multivariable mixed modelling. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses indicated that, at follow-up versus baseline, both conditions reported greater smoke-free home rates (53.6% vs 38.5%) and fewer days of SHSe on average (~11 vs ~12 days), and that intervention versus control condition communities reported greater coalition awareness (24.3% vs 12.2%) and activity exposure (71.2% vs 64.5%). Multivariable modelling indicated that intervention (vs control) communities reported greater rates of complete smoke-free homes (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 1.55, 95% confiedence interval [CI] 1.11 to 2.18, p=0.011) and coalition awareness (aOR 2.89, 95% CI 1.44 to 8.05, p=0.043) at follow-up. However, there were no intervention effects on policy support, SHSe or community-based activity exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Findings must be considered alongside several sociopolitical factors during the study, including national smoke-free policies implementation (Georgia, 2018; Armenia, 2022), these countries' participation in an international tobacco legislation initiative, the COVID-19 pandemic and regional/local war). The intervention effect on smoke-free homes is critical, as smoke-free policy implementation provides opportunities to accelerate smoke-free home adoption via local coalitions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03447912.

Smoking cessation after myocardial infarction: Findings from a cross-sectional survey in Armenia.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of smoking cessation in preventing myocardial infarction (MI) and reducing its recurrence, morbidity and mortality is well established. Only half of the patients quit or reduce smoking after hospitalization. The study examined smoking cessation practices and factors associated with it at 6-12 months after hospitalization among smoker patients diagnosed with MI. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey (2016-2017) was conducted among smoker adult patients who were diagnosed with MI and were hospitalized at the largest cardiac hospital (Nork-Marash Medical Center) in Armenia. Data collection was conducted via medical record review and an interviewer-administered telephone survey (n=230). The patients were classified as non-quitters or quitters (those had not smoked even a puff within the past 30 days). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with smoking cessation at 6-12 months post-hospitalization addressing multicollinearity with two separate regression models. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 58.3 years and 98.3% were males. Though almost all MI patients attempted to quit, only 52.2% were successful abstainers at 6-12 months after hospitalization. Significant predictors of quitting included higher self-efficacy (AOR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.03-1.11, p<0.001), lower tobacco dependence (AOR=0.81; 95% CI: 0.66-1.00, p=0.050), not having family members who smoked (Model 1: AOR=0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.70, p=0.009; and Model 2: AOR=0.24; 95% CI: 0.09-0.67, p=0.006), having other hospitalization after MI due to heart disease (Model 1: AOR=5.42; 95% CI: 1.50-19.65, p=0.010; and Model 2: AOR=4.20; 95% CI: 1.32-13.31, p=0.015), higher number of household members (Model 1: AOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.27-2.64, p=0.001; and Model 2: AOR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.20-2.35, p=0.002), and having at least one comorbidity (Model 1: AOR=4.20; 95% CI: 1.47-12.04, p=0.008; and Model 2: AOR=3.74; 95% CI: 1.40-9.97; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasized the need for integrating evidence-based cessation services and targeted help for hospitalized MI patients in Armenia. Interventions should aim to improve self-efficacy, effectively treat dependence, and consider patients' social environment while providing cessation assistance.

A mixed-methods evaluation of the indoor and outdoor smoking ban in dining venues in Armenia: Early successes and challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Since March 2022, Armenia introduced a comprehensive smoking ban on all types of tobacco products in indoor and outdoor areas of hospitality venues. We aimed to rapidly appraise the implementation of the ban in the dining areas of the capital Yerevan and explore any differences in compliance and enforcement patterns between indoor and outdoor areas of the venues. METHODS: We used a mixed-methods approach through quantitative air quality monitoring, qualitative observations, and in-depth interviews (IDIs). We visited one venue in each remote district of the city and more venues from the central districts that have a much higher density of dining areas. Overall, we made 24 measurements of PM2.5 particles, 24 unobtrusive observations in the 19 visited venues, and 11 IDIs with six visitors and five workers. We used Stata13 for the analysis of numerical data and completed direct deductive content analysis of the textual data. RESULTS: Active tobacco use was observed in 12 out of 24 venues (50.0%) with more cases of smoking in outdoor areas (10 out of 12; 83.3%). No warning by workers or no reports to the police were observed. We detected elevated levels of PM2.5 particles in indoor and outdoor areas. The IDIs revealed predominantly negative attitudes towards the outdoor ban and the lack of awareness of and readiness to engage in the enforcement measures. The lack of enforcement by the owners and the respective bodies was mentioned as a contributor to continued violations of the ban. The change in the dynamic and the characteristics of the visitors, cleaner air, and less unpleasant work were mentioned as important positive aftermaths of the ban. CONCLUSIONS: The Government of Armenia should enhance the monitoring and enforcement activities and organize tailored awareness-raising campaigns to inform the general public and the hospitality industry of the health and social implications of the ban.

Community coalitions for smoke-free environments in Armenia and Georgia: A mixed methods analysis of coalition formation, implementation and perceived effectiveness.

Effective models for aligning public health and civil society at the local level have the potential to impact various global health issues, including tobacco. Georgia and Armenia Teams for Healthy Environments and Research (GATHER) is a collaboration between Armenia, Georgia and U.S. researchers involving a community randomized trial testing the impact of community coalitions to promote smoke-free policy adoption and compliance in various settings. Community Coalition Action Theory (CCAT) was used to guide and describe coalition formation, implementation and effectiveness. Mixed methods were used to evaluate 14 municipality-based coalitions in Georgia and Armenia, including semi-structured interviews (n = 42) with coalition leaders and active members, coalition member surveys at two timepoints (n = 85 and n = 83), and review of action plans and progress reports. Results indicated successful creation of 14 multi-sectoral coalitions, most commonly representing education, public health, health care, and municipal administration. Half of the coalitions created at least one smoke-free policy in specific settings (e.g., factories, parks), and all 14 promoted compliance with existing policies through no-smoking signage and stickers. The majority also conducted awareness events in school, health care, and community settings, in addition to educating the public about COVID and the dangers of tobacco use. Consistent with CCAT, coalition processes (e.g., communication) were associated with member engagement and collaborative synergy which, in turn, correlated with perceived community impact, skills gained by coalition members, and interest in sustainability. Findings suggest that community coalitions can be formed in varied sociopolitical contexts and facilitate locally-driven, multi-sectoral collaborations to promote health. Despite major contextual challenges (e.g., national legislation, global pandemic, war), coalitions were resilient, nimble and remained active. Additionally, CCAT propositions appear to be generalizable, suggesting that coalition-building guidance may be relevant for local public health in at least some global contexts.

Smoke-free home restrictions in Armenia and Georgia: motives, barriers and secondhand smoke reduction behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Promoting smoke-free homes (SFHs) in Armenia and Georgia is timely given high smoking and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) rates and recent national smoke-free policy implementation. This study examined theoretical predictors (e.g. motives, barriers) of SFH status, and among those without SFHs, past 3-month SFH attempts and intent to establish SFHs in the next 3 months. METHODS: Multilevel logistic regression analyzed these outcomes using 2022 survey data from 1467 adults (31.6% past-month smokers) in Armenia (n = 762) and Georgia (n = 705). Correlates of interest included SHSe reduction behaviors and SFH motives and barriers; models controlled for country, community, age, sex, smoking status and other smokers in the home. RESULTS: In this sample, 53.6% had SFHs (Armenia: 39.2%; Georgia: 69.2%). Among those without SFHs, one-fourth had partial restrictions, no smokers in the home and/or recent SFH attempts; 35.5% intended to establish SFHs; and ∼70% of multiunit housing residents supported smoke-free buildings. We documented common SHSe reduction behaviors (opening windows, limiting smoking areas), SFH motives (prevent smell, protect children/nonsmokers) and barriers (smokers' resistance). Correlates of SFHs were being from Georgia, other smokers in the home, fewer SHSe reduction behaviors, greater motives and fewer barriers. Among participants without SFHs, correlates of recent SFH attempts were other smokers in the home, greater SHSe reduction behaviors and SFH motives, and fewer barriers; correlates of SFH intentions were being female, greater SHSe reduction behaviors, greater motives, and fewer barriers. CONCLUSIONS: SFH interventions should address motives, barriers and misperceptions regarding SHSe reduction behaviors. Moreover, smoke-free multiunit housing could have a great population impact.

Multi-Perspective Views and Hesitancy toward COVID-19 Vaccines: A Mixed Method Study.

The worldwide uptake of COVID-19 vaccines was suboptimal throughout the pandemic; vaccine hesitancy played a principle role in low vaccine acceptance both globally and in Armenia. In order to understand the factors behind the slow vaccine uptake in Armenia, we aimed to explore the prevailing perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers and the general public related to COVID-19 vaccines. The study applied a convergent parallel mixed-methods study design (QUAL-quant) through in-depth interviews (IDI) and a telephone survey. We completed 34 IDIs with different physician and beneficiary groups and a telephone survey with 355 primary healthcare (PHC) providers. The IDIs found that physicians held variable views on the need for COVID-19 vaccination which, combined with mixed messaging in the media landscape, fueled the public's vaccine hesitancy. The survey results were mostly consistent with the qualitative findings as 54% of physicians hypothesized that COVID-19 vaccines were rushed without appropriate testing and 42% were concerned about the safety of those vaccines. Strategies to improve vaccination rates must target the main drivers of hesitancy, such as physicians' poor knowledge of specific vaccines and spiraling misconceptions about them. Meanwhile, timely educational campaigns with targeted messaging for the general public should address misinformation, promote vaccine acceptance, and empower their capacity to make decisions about their health.

Tobacco-related risk perceptions, social influences and public smoke-free policies in relation to smoke-free home restrictions: findings from a baseline cross-sectional survey of Armenian and Georgian adults in a community randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES: Given high prevalence of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in Armenia and Georgia and quicker implementation of tobacco legislation in Georgia versus Armenia, we examined correlates of having no/partial versus complete smoke-free home (SFH) restrictions across countries, particularly smoking characteristics, risk perceptions, social influences and public smoking restrictions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study design. SETTING: 28 communities in Armenia and Georgia surveyed in 2018. PARTICIPANTS: 1456 adults ages 18-64 in Armenia (n=705) and Georgia (n=751). MEASUREMENTS: We used binary logistic regression to examine aforementioned correlates of no/partial versus complete SFH among non-smokers and smokers in Armenia and Georgia, respectively. RESULTS: Participants were an average age of 43.35, 60.5% women and 27.3% smokers. In Armenia, among non-smokers, having no/partial SFHs correlated with being men (OR=2.63, p=0.001) and having more friend smokers (OR=1.23, p=0.002); among smokers, having no/partial SFHs correlated with being unmarried (OR=10.00, p=0.001), lower quitting importance (OR=0.82, p=0.010) and less favourable smoking attitudes among friends/family/public (OR=0.48, p=0.034). In Georgia, among non-smokers, having no/partial SFHs correlated with older age (OR=1.04, p=0.002), being men (OR=5.56, p<0.001), lower SHS risk perception (OR=0.43, p<0.001), more friend smokers (OR=1.49, p=0.002) and fewer workplace (indoor) restrictions (OR=0.51, p=0.026); among smokers, having no/partial SFHs correlated with being men (OR=50.00, p<0.001), without children (OR=5.88, p<0.001), daily smoking (OR=4.30, p=0.050), lower quitting confidence (OR=0.81, p=0.004), more friend smokers (OR=1.62, p=0.038) and fewer community restrictions (OR=0.68, p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Private settings continue to lack smoking restrictions in Armenia and Georgia. Findings highlight the importance of social influences and comprehensive tobacco legislation, particularly smoke-free policies, in changing household smoking restrictions and behaviours. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03447912.

Psychosocial Factors, Smoke-Free Restrictions, and Media Exposure in Relation to Smoking-Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Adults in Armenia and Georgia.

BACKGROUND: Perceived harm, social influences, smoke-free policies, and media exposure have been understudied in relation to tobacco-related attitudes/behaviors in aggregate or in low and middle-income countries; thus, this study examined these factors collectively in relation to smoking-related outcomes among Armenian and Georgian adults. METHODS: Using 2018 cross-sectional survey data (n = 1456), multivariable regression analyses examined these factors in relation to smoking status, perceived harm among nonsmokers, and readiness to quit and past-year quit attempts among smokers. RESULTS: Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of current smoking (27.3%) included lower perceived harm, more smoking friends, and fewer home and vehicle restrictions. Among nonsmokers, more home and restaurant/bar restrictions, fewer vehicle restrictions, greater anti-tobacco media exposure, and less pro-tobacco media exposure predicted greater perceived harm. Among smokers, greater perceived social acceptability of smoking, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted readiness to quit (12.7% of smokers). More smoking friends, more home restrictions, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted past-year quit attempts (19.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the importance of smoke-free policies but were counterintuitive regarding the roles of social and media influences, underscoring the need to better understand how to address these influences, particularly in countries with high smoking rates.

Smokers' and non-smokers' secondhand smoke experiences and interactions to reduce exposure in Armenia and Georgia.

INTRODUCTION: Armenia and Georgia have high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe). Greater progress in recent smoke-free legislation in Georgia and Armenia provides a pivotal time for examining the impact on smokers' and non-smokers' experiences and interactions regarding SHSe. METHODS: Surveys were conducted in 28 communities in Armenia (n=705) and Georgia (n=751) in 2018 and assessed past 30-day SHSe and smoking in different contexts, as well as attitudes toward and interactions regarding SHSe. RESULTS: In this sample (mean age 43.4 years, SD=13.5; 60.5% female; 27.3% smokers), SHSe among non-smokers was usually in homes (42.7%), cars (42.4%), and outdoor public places (38.2%); smokers also reported smoking usually in these places (70.0%, 62.1%, and 60.0%, respectively). Smokers indicated greater likelihood of putting out cigarettes and non-smokers indicated greater likelihood of asking smokers to put them out in places where smoking was prohibited versus allowed (76.5% vs 57.3%, and 46.6% vs 30.7%, respectively). Moreover, 89.9% of smokers indicated being very likely to put out cigarettes around small children if asked and 75.8% indicated trying to minimize SHSe. While 39.7% of participants reported seeing requests to smokers to put out cigarettes in the past 6 months, only 23.3% of smokers reported being asked to do so. Non-smokers in Georgia versus Armenia reported greater likelihood of engaging in behaviors to lower SHSe (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Smoke-free legislation may catalyze more behaviors to lower SHSe, particularly among non-smokers; however, private settings (e.g. homes) remain prominent SHSe sources. Public health efforts must consider implications of such policies on SHSe in private settings.

Public opinion about the health care system in Armenia: findings from a cross-sectional telephone survey.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined public opinion about the health care system in the former Soviet region. The objective of our study was to evaluate the population's satisfaction with the health care system and identify factors associated with it in Armenia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey among 576 adult residents of the capital Yerevan using Random Digit Dialing technique. Simple and multivariate logistic regression explored associations between potential determinants and satisfaction. RESULTS: A substantial proportion of respondents (45.5%) were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the health system. About 49% of respondents negatively evaluated the ability of the system to provide equal access to care. About 69% of respondents thought that the responsibility for an individual's health should be equally shared between the individual and the government or that the government's share should be larger. The adjusted odds of satisfaction were higher among individuals with better health status, those who positively rated equal access and respect to patients in the system, those thinking that the responsibility for health should be equally shared between the individual and the government, and those who tended to trust the government. CONCLUSIONS: This study enriched our understanding of factors that shape the population's satisfaction with the health care system in different cultural and political environments. We recommend further exploration of public opinion about those system attributes that are not directly linked to patient experiences with care, but might be equally important for explaining the phenomenon of satisfaction.

Barriers to utilization of adolescent friendly health services in primary healthcare facilities in Armenia: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore potential challenges that hamper utilization of adolescent friendly health services (AFHS) in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Armenia. METHODS: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was conducted with experts in adolescent health, PHC providers and facility managers from public PHC facilities and adolescents from the two largest cities in Armenia. We also collected data through observations in PHC facilities. We utilized a directed content analysis approach for data analysis. RESULTS: The study identified various factors negatively influencing utilization of AFHS in Armenia. These factors included adolescents' poor health literacy and awareness of health services, lack of PHPs' professional competencies, and breaches of confidentiality. Several facility-level barriers such as lack of privacy, inconvenient operating hours and long waiting times also contributed to insufficient service utilization by adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings shed light on different perspectives related to various challenges adolescents faced in PHC facilities in Armenia. Targeted interventions needed to improve adolescents' health literacy, to enhance the PHPs' competencies and to create a friendly and welcoming environment in PHC facilities.

Smokers' and Nonsmokers' Receptivity to Smoke-Free Policies and Pro- and Anti-Policy Messaging in Armenia and Georgia.

Garnering support for smoke-free policies is critical for their successful adoption, particularly in countries with high smoking prevalence, such as Armenia and Georgia. In 2018, we surveyed 1456 residents (ages 18-64) of 28 cities in Armenia (n = 705) and Georgia (n = 751). We examined support for cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)/heated tobacco product (HTP) smoke-free policies in various locations and persuasiveness of pro- and anti-policy messaging. Participants were an average age of 43.35, 60.5% female, and 27.3% current smokers. Nonsmokers versus smokers indicated greater policy support for cigarette and ENDS/HTP and greater persuasiveness of pro-policy messaging. Armenians versus Georgians generally perceived pro- and anti-policy messaging more persuasive. In multilevel linear regression, sociodemographics (e.g., female) and tobacco use characteristics (e.g., smoking less frequently, higher quitting importance) correlated with more policy support. Greatest policy support was for healthcare, religious, government, and workplace settings; public transport; schools; and vehicles carrying children. Least policy support was for bar/restaurant outdoor areas. The most compelling pro-policy message focused on the right to clean air; the most compelling anti-policy message focused on using nonsmoking sections. Specific settings may present challenges for advancing smoke-free policies. Messaging focusing on individual rights to clean air and health may garner support.

Smoking cessation knowledge, attitude and practices among tuberculosis physicians: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cessation interventions within tuberculosis (TB) care are feasible, effective and efficient for increasing smoking cessation rates. We aimed to assess TB physicians' smoking cessation knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with 21 TB physicians and utilized directed deductive content analysis with predefined knowledge, attitude, and practice categories. Physicians' practice was analyzed using the ABC approach (Ask, Brief advice, and Cessation support). RESULTS: Physicians acknowledged the importance of quitting for improved treatment outcomes and decreased risk of TB relapse. Physicians revealed presumed drug interactions, possible side effects of pharmacotherapy, and reluctance to take additional medications as challenges of smoking cessation interventions. Physicians asked about smoking behavior and provided a brief quitting advice to TB patients; however, implementation of cessation support was limited due to poor knowledge of evidence-based cessation methods and the absence of formal tobacco dependence treatment algorithms within TB care. CONCLUSIONS: TB physicians' KAP on smoking cessation was limited. Interventions targeting physicians' knowledge and skills, and formalization of tobacco dependence treatment within TB care, are core for improving their smoking cessation practices in Armenia.

Examining smoke-free coalitions in Armenia and Georgia: baseline community capacity.

Local coalitions can advance public health initiative but have not been widely used or well-studied in low- and middle-income countries. This paper provides (i) an overview of an ongoing matched-pairs community-randomized controlled trial in 28 communities in Armenia and Georgia (N = 14/country) testing local coalitions to promote smoke-free policies/enforcement and (ii) characteristics of the communities involved. In July-August 2018, key informants (e.g. local public health center directors) were surveyed to compare their non-communicable disease (NCD) and tobacco-related activities across countries and across condition (intervention/control). More than half of the informants (50.0-57.1%) reported their communities had programs addressing hypertension, diabetes, cancer and human papilloma virus, with 85.7% involving community education and 32.1% patient education programs. Eleven communities (39.3%) addressed tobacco control, all of which were in Georgia. Of those, all included public/community education and the majority (72.7-81.8%) provided cessation counseling/classes, school/youth prevention programs, healthcare provider training or activities addressing smoke-free environments. Informants in Georgia versus Armenia perceived greater support for tobacco control from various sectors (e.g. government, community). No differences were found by condition assignment. This paper provides a foundation for presenting subsequent analyses of this ongoing trial. These analyses indicate wide variability regarding NCD-related activities and support across communities and countries.

Perceived barriers of tobacco dependence treatment: a mixed-methods study among primary healthcare physicians in Armenia.

BACKGROUND: Despite compelling evidence that physicians play a prominent role in smoking cessation, most smokers do not receive the recommended smoking cessation counseling.AimTo identify perceived barriers that hinder primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) from providing smoking cessation treatment to patients in Armenia. METHODS: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted among PHPs from two Armenian cities (Yerevan and Gyumri). We implemented qualitative phase through focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured guide. For the subsequent quantitative phase, the data were collected through cross-sectional survey. A directed deductive content analysis technique was used to analyze the FGDs and questionnaires were analyzed descriptively. Following the data collection (March 2015-May 2016) and descriptive analysis, the qualitative and quantitative data sets were merged by drawing quantitative data onto qualitative categories.FindingsOverall, 23 PHPs participated in five FGDs and 108 participants completed the survey. Three main categories of barriers were identified: physician-based, patient-based, and system-based barriers. The main physicians-based barriers were insufficient knowledge and inadequate training on tobacco-dependence treatment. Lack of patients' motivation to quit, poor compliance with the treatment, patients' withdrawal symptoms were identified as patient-based disincentives. System-based barriers included lack of reimbursement for providing smoking cessation counseling, high price and low availability of smoking cessation medications. Most of the qualitative descriptions were confirmed by quantitative findings. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted interventions are needed to address barriers that limited PHPs' involvement in providing smoking cessation services in Armenia. There is an urgent need to enhance PHPs' knowledge and skills in delivering smoking cessation counseling, to increase patients' demand for smoking cessation services, and to ensure availability and affordability of smoking cessation services in Armenia.