Introduction to HIV/AIDS Surveillance
Description
The purpose of HIV/AIDS surveillance is to enable evidence-based development of prevention and control programmes, and to promote the most effective use of health resources. In the late 1990s a framework termed the 2nd generation HIV/AIDS surveillance was developed by WHO and UNAIDS with the aim to tailor surveillance systems to needs of the specific epidemic states. HIV and AIDS case reporting, sero-surveillance, STI surveillance and behavioural surveillance are indispensable for monitoring epidemic trends and evaluating the effects of prevention interventions. The surveillance of HIV requires the collection of demographic and behavioural data because of the unique link between HIV epidemiology and behaviours. Biological and behavioural data collected by the HIV surveillance system should be used to validate one another.
Learning objectives
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction and overview of HIV/AIDS epidemics both globally and specifically to different regions, as well as to introduce definitions and main concepts of public health surveillance, including the principles and concepts of HIV/AIDS surveillance. The course describes the steps and components needed to design and establish an HIV/AIDS surveillance system, as well as principles of data collection, analysis and dissemination. Participants will also be introduced to the basic concepts on how to assess the effectiveness, including sensitivity and completeness of a surveillance system and given an overview of national and international surveillance systems and structures in Europe. The groups exercise consists of planning and HIV surveillance system.
Key topics
General principles and key epidemiological issues of public health surveillance
Components of HIV surveillance systems
Basic HIV surveillance principles and concepts
Establishing a surveillance system
Data collection, analysis and dissemination
Estimating HIV epidemics using Estimation and Projection Package, Workbook method, Spectrum
Principles of monitoring & evaluation
Key references:
Initiating second generation HIV surveillance systems: practical guidelines
WHO, UNAIDS
Link
Guidelines for Second Generation HIV Surveillance for HIV: The Next Decade UNAIDS/WHO Working Group on Global HIV/AIDS and STI Surveillance
Link
The pre-surveillance assessment. Guidelines for planning serosurveillance of HIV, prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and the behavioural components of second generation surveillance of HIV.
UNAIDS/WHO working group on global HIV/AIDS and STI surveillance
Link
UNAIDS action plan on intensifying HIV prevention
UNAIDS
Link
HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe: Mid-year report 2007
EuroHIV
Link
HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe: End-year report 2006
EuroHIV
link
Using data from HIV surveillance systems: Guidance on the Organisation, Presentation and Effective Use of Data from Second Generation Surveillance Systems:
Link
Demographic and Health Sureys
Link
Epidemiological softwares and tools
Estimation and projection package, Workbook method, Spectrum
UNAIDS
Link
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures, exercises and presentations. Interactive methods (e.g. group work, brainstorming) will be used to encourage full participation from attendees. Participants will be encouraged to reflect upon and apply their learning to their own country settings and to share their experiences with others.
Target Audience
Epidemiologists, social scientists, public health professionals.
Duration:
The course takes place in five days.
Partners:
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Downloads:
Programme: Training course in Introduction to HIV/AIDS Surveillance
