Aim: To evaluate the psychological peculiarities of mothers of preterm and term birth infants, and their attitude to breastfeeding before and after childbirth. Design: Observational study. Materials and methods. The subjects of the research were a pregnant woman at 12-week gestation randomly selected from 5 maternity hospitals in Yerevan. 268 pregnant women were eligible for inclusion in this observational study and created a total group. After birth, mothers were divided into groups of full-term (n = 239) and premature (n = 29) babies. We analysed baseline demographics, health information of the mother, history of pregnancy and delivery, as well as health information of babies. We assessed the presence of depressive symptoms with a Beck Depression Inventory and situational and individual anxiety levels with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. Assessment of the psychological status demonstrated a high level of state anxiety: 26.7 ± 1.4 and 45.8 ± 1.5 points in mothers of full-term and premature babies, respectively; in mothers of premature babies, the value was significantly higher (р < 0.05). Personal anxiety was relatively inert, there were no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Depressive symptoms were also more pronounced in preterm mothers (moderate depression) than in term birth mothers (mild mood disturbance): 22.5 ± 0.8 points vs. 11.4 ± 0.9 points (p < 0.01). The majority of women (68.3%) who had preterm delivery had a high level of state anxiety (р < 0.01 vs. mothers of full-term babies). Women who were ready to breastfeed longer after the baby is born had more marked signs of depression. In mothers full-term and premature babies, the attitude to breastfeeding before delivery demonstrated direct correlation with the level of depression on Beck depression inventory (r = 0.75, p = 0.02 and r = 0.68, p < 0.01, respectively). The degree of state anxiety in mothers of premature babies correlated with hospitalisation duration (r = 0.9, p = 0.008). Conclusions. Mothers of preterm infants need psychological care based on high level of situational anxiety and depressive symptoms. Breastfeeding is a good biological tool for improved interaction of the mother with her baby; it boosts psychological comfort and reduces anxiety and depression. Keywords: preterm birth, anxiety, depression, mother-infant interaction.

International accreditation serves as a powerful catalyst for improving educational programs in academic institutions. The purpose of this article is to present the primary assessment methods for students pursuing dental education and to outline potential changes in examination procedures within the YSMU Continuous and Integrated “Stomatology” Educational Program in preparation for accreditation, aligning them with international standards. The article discusses the fundamental principles of student assessment in dental education, highlighting key aspects such as the determination of passing thresholds, unconscious bias, potential disputes, and auditing. It presents both formative and summative assessment methods. Based on international experience and the evaluation criteria required for international accreditation, the assessment mechanisms of the YSMU Continuous and Integrated “Stomatology” Educational Program should undergo significant improvements.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children and adolescents aged 0–18 years in the Republic of Armenia (RA), characterize geographic and sex-specific variations, and determine the mean age at diagnosis. These data are essential for informing health system planning, evaluating potential disparities in access to diagnostic services, and generating hypotheses regarding the biological and healthcare-related factors underlying geographic variation in ASD prevalence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using administrative records from outpatient medical facilities serving children and adolescents across all ten marzes of RA and the city of Yerevan in 2021. ASD prevalence was estimated at the national and regional levels and stratified by urban and rural residence. The male-to-female prevalence ratio and the mean age at ASD diagnosis were also calculated. Results: The overall prevalence of ASD in RA was 2.3 per 1000 children (95% CI: 2.1–2.4). The highest prevalence was observed in Yerevan (3.7 per 1000). The mean age at diagnosis was 4.5 ± 2.5 years. Males exhibited a 5.1-fold higher prevalence compared to females. ASD prevalence was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural settings. Conclusions: ASD prevalence in RA demonstrates marked geographic and sex disparities, with significantly higher rates in urban regions and among males. These findings underscore the importance of continued ASD prevalence monitoring in RA to identify trends, explore potential biological and healthcare-related contributors to geographic variation, and improve healthcare system planning and management. In turn, improved understanding of regional differences in ASD prevalence may help inform more targeted and personalized approaches to care. The results may also support national and regional policymakers in health, education, and related sectors in developing and strengthening services for children and adolescents with ASD and their families.