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Training in 2nd generation HIV/AIDS surveillance

Course Description
(This course is developed by the Regional Knowledge Hub on 2nd generation HIV/AIDS surveillance, Zagreb, Croatia)

Course Name
Training in 2nd generation HIV/AIDS surveillance
Main Learning Objectives
  • Understand principles, components, and objectives of second generation HIV/AIDS surveillance according to the phases of the epidemic;
  • Learn the principles of analysis, use, triangulation, interpretation, and dissemination of surveillance system data;
  • Learn how to establish a surveillance system and which components are essential for different phases of the epidemic;
  • Discuss advantages and disadvantages of different methods used in surveillance (i.e. universal vs. sentinel, clinic-based vs. population- and community-based);
  • Understand principles of sample size estimations in survey design;
  • Understand role of probability and non-probability sampling and their application in different surveillance strategies;
  • Learn principles of monitoring and evaluating surveillance systems and the use of surveillance system data to monitor HIV prevention programmes; and
  • Understand challenges to HIV surveillance (i.e. ethics, population mobility, changing nature of the epidemic, etc.).
Key Topics Components of surveillance systems; behavioral surveillance; STI surveillance; surveillance in hard to reach populations; data triangulation, management, analysis, interpretation and dissemination; bias in data interpretation; estimations of sample size in hard to reach populations; sampling strategies; surveillance system infrastructure; sero-surveillance; methods of STI surveillance; monitoring and evaluation; ethical issues; and the future of surveillance.
Basis of Curriculum, Key Teaching Documents and Materials provided
  • Guidelines for Second Generation HIV Surveillance (UNAIDS/WHO, 2000);
  • Initiating Second Generation HIV Surveillance Systems: Practical Guidelines (WHO/UNAIDS, 2002);
  • Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance (UNAIDS/WHO, 1999);
  • Surveillance in Field Epidemiology, 2nd edition (Gregg MB, editor, 2002);
  • Guidelines for Effective Use of Data from HIV Surveillance Systems (UNAIDS/WHO, 2004);
  • Meeting the Behavioral Data Collection Needs of National HIV/AIDS/STD Programmes (IMPACT/FHI/UNAIDS, 1998);
  • Second Generation for HIV (UNAIDS/WHO, 2001); and
  • Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (Family Health International, 2001).

*Materials are available in Russian and English in both print and electronic formats.

Teaching Methods Lectures, small group discussions, surveillance protocol development exercises, case studies.
Target Audience Developers of surveillance systems for governmental and non-governmental institutions, country-level Global Fund project managers; academic institutions
Faculty Multidisciplinary, international, and national.
Duration Five 5-day training modules. Accreditation given upon course completion.