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About our Work:
Informatics (Last Updated: January 2005) |
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The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of scientific
information
and the information systems that support it, play a vital role in virtually all
of
the programs supported by the U. S. Government (USG) through the Global
AIDS Program (GAP). Decisions on priority areas and resource allocation, as
well as monitoring the success of program activities, depend on access to
accurate and current information. Flexible computer-based data systems provide
this information in a timely, coordinated, and reliable manner.
GAP is developing model data collection questionnaires, interview forms, and
reports. Sample or prototype information systems that support the collection,
entry, validation, management, and analysis of these data are also necessary.
These systems allow public health authorities to determine the magnitude
of the local HIV/AIDS epidemic and help manage individual services at
counseling centers and treatment clinics.
These information systems also help evaluate program effectiveness by
tracking the number of persons seen, the number of medical evaluations
performed,
and the number of persons treated. These systems also track the
long-term impact of programs by measuring trends in HIV infection and disease
and quality of life.
A Multi-Pronged Approach
GAP's information systems approach includes several interrelated activities:
- training local staff to develop, support, and enhance information systems;
- assisting countries to obtain hardware and software for running these
systems;
- consulting with countries on the adaptation of model systems to meet
local information and data management needs.
In Zimbabwe, with USG funding, GAP helped...
- develop a web-based information system that allows the Ministry of Public
Health to monitor the progress of many of the HIV/AIDS-related projects
they support;
- establish a Public Health Informatics Program at the University of
Zimbabwe
School of Medicine;
- develop a general-purpose electronic medical records system for
tuberculosis
and HIV clinical care using the CDC's EpiInfo-2002 application
development system;
- build a computer training facility for use by a variety of public health
organizations.
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