Develop and maintain national and sub-national HIV databases that enable stakeholders to access relevant data for policy formulation and programme management and improvement.
The following elements are in place:
- Database(s) designed to respond to the decision-making and reporting needs of different stakeholders.
- Linkages between different relevant databases to ensure data consistency and to avoid duplication of effort.
- Well-defined and managed national HIV database to capture, verify, analyse, and present programme monitoring data from all levels and sectors.
An information system consists of the infrastructure (hardware), a database (software), and skilled individuals to use the databases to capture, verify, transfer, analyse, and share data. Clear roles and responsibilities need to be established at national, sub-national, and service-delivery levels to ensure an appropriate and timely data flow between the different levels.
A national HIV database is not a prerequisite for a functional national HIV M&E system. However, an electronic data management system allows for the information to be captured in a way that facilitates data verification, data sharing, and data use. Where there are existing databases, such as a functioning health information system, it is important to build on these rather than establish a parallel system. If no database exists, there are several available software packages that may be considered as a starting point. Countries that are not at a stage of developing an electronic national database should have a mechanismfor the systematic archiving of data and reports to allow easy data access and use.
A national HIV database may include the following types of recent as well as historical data:
- Up-to-date registration information or a contact list of organisations involved in HIV programmes and M&E.
- Data on all national standardised HIV indicators specified in the national M&E plan.
- Data from various HIV-related data sources, including:
- Data from surveys and surveillance.
- Routine facility-based programme data.
- Routine community-based programme data.
- Data on available resources.
- Information on supervision visits.
- Inventory of HIV research and researchers.
- Information on HIV capacity building activities.
- Information on HIV M&E advocacy and communication activities.
- Inventory of NAC documents, including all HIV-related information products.
Ideally, the information system would have a web-enabled interface to allow the general public to access data.
In addition to the national HIV database, different stakeholders may have their own databases. Relevant data from these databases should be linked with the national HIV database and/or transferred; existing standard exchange formats should be used to facilitate data transfer between different databases.