Using HIV surveillance data: recent experiences and avenues for the future

HIV surveillance systems provide information that is crucial to our understanding of epidemic dynamics among different populations in different settings. Surveillance data are also used for advocacy, to inform policies and programming, and for monitoring. Multiple data sources may be used and will expand in the future as service statistics from prevention and treatment programmes become available. Important and new priorities in HIV surveillance data use at the national and local levels can build on past experience with surveillance reports, national estimates, advocacy materials, and communications to the media. A new framework, integrated analysis of data from expanded surveillance systems and other sources, is proposed to inform improved programming. The approach allows making effective programme choices, based on the analysis of biological and behavioral data and the coverage of interventions in an integrated fashion. The comparison of surveillance data with financial data provides added insights in the adequacy of the response. These findings and experiences set a new agenda for technical and structural directions to improve data use in countries.