Section 1: Determining the Scope
The first step in preparing an HIV/AIDS epidemiologic profile is to determine its scope.
The scope should be broad enough to provide planning groups with the information and
background data they need to identify and set priorities among HIV/AIDS prevention and
care services. At the same time, the scope needs to be narrow enough to meet specific
requirements of prevention and care programs.
The appropriate scope of the epidemiologic profile depends on several factors outlined in
this section.
CDC and HRSA Considerations
Although the data required are similar, CDC and HRSA have different requirements for
developing and updating the HIV/AIDS epidemiologic profile. Below are several
suggestions:
- Every year, the health department should update the executive summary and core
epidemiologic data—including tables and figures—to ensure that planning groups can
identify and set priorities among populations and their prevention and care needs.
- Less often, the health department should comprehensively revise its epidemiologic
profile. CDC prevention planning groups should complete such a revision at a
minimum of once every 5 years. CARE Act planning consortia and councils should
follow their yearly program guidance from the HIV/AIDS Bureau.
Consider including as much as possible of the sociodemographic and socioeconomic
information covering the entire service area. Updated profiles will then need to include
only the data from those areas in which significant changes have occurred.
Factors Affecting the Scope
Scope refers to the boundaries, such as the time frame and geographic area, which define
the extent of information in your profile. Determining the scope of your epidemiologic
profile is a collaborative effort that requires consultation with your planning groups
and other potential stakeholders.
Because each jurisdiction’s needs differ, it is not possible to say how much time or how
many resources should be allotted to complete an epidemiologic profile. The scope of
your profile will affect the time and resources needed to complete it. It will be important
to factor the time and resources needed into the planning process.
The following is a checklist of questions to guide your data gathering and analysis. Your
answers will enable you to determine
- the geographic boundaries of the area described in your profile
- the extent to which the profile can address the core epidemiologic questions
- any special considerations pertinent to your service area and planning group
requirements
- the time and resources needed to complete the profile
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Checklist for Determining the Scope of an Epidemiologic Profile
- Is the profile a comprehensive epidemiologic profile or an annual update?
- What planning jurisdiction(s) or service area(s) should be included?
- What specific questions for prevention and care planning should be addressed by
this profile?
Examples
- special needs of populations at risk of becoming infected with HIV
- trends in the epidemic that can be identified through a comparison of HIV and
AIDS prevalence data
- setting priorities for prevention and care services among prioritized
populations
- What resources—time, personnel, and funds—are available to develop the profile
- What sources of information are needed to answer the profile’s epidemiologic
questions
Example- If your service area does not have HIV reporting, you will need to use
estimates of HIV prevalence derived from AIDS case reporting.
- What data are available to supplement the HIV/AIDS Reporting System data that
describe the HIV-positive population?
- What information is already available? More information, which is readily
available, may allow for a broader scope.
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to Chapter 2, Section 2
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