Parameters used to assess the quality of HIV surveillance systems in the Middle East and North Africa countries
| Parameter | Description | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Timeliness of data collection | Number of times surveys were conducted in 2007–2011 in TB and STI patients, pregnant women, FSW, MSM and IDUs. | Range: from 0 if no survey was done, to a maximum of 30 if surveys were done in each of these groups annually between 2007 and 2011. |
| Appropriateness of populations under surveillance | For low-level HIV epidemics: implementation of at least one survey in FSW and MSM and IDUs in the period 2007–2011; For concentrated epidemics: at least one survey in FSW and MSM and IDUs, and one round of a survey in pregnant women in at least one urban site; For generalised epidemics: at least one survey in pregnant women at urban and rural sites, or a national-level general population survey. | 0=non-appropriate system 1=appropriate system |
| Consistency of the surveillance sites and groups over time | The extent to which a surveillance system enables assessment of epidemic trends in the same populations and locations over time. | 0=no pattern of consistency in urban and rural sentinel sites in facility-based surveys and IBBSS 1=there is some repetition in sites and at least two rounds of surveillance surveys in at least one group at risk were implemented 2=a clear pattern of consistency is evident and at least three rounds of surveys in at least one group were implemented, appropriate to the epidemic context. |
| Coverage of the surveillance system | The extent to which a surveillance system is set up in key geographical areas | 0=poor coverage 1=surveillance activities appropriate for the epidemic context are operational in major urban areas.4 5 2=surveillance activities are set up in the parts of the country outside of major urban areas (substantial national coverage) |
FSW, female sex workers; IBBSS, integrated bio-behavioural surveillance survey; IDUs, injecting drug users; MSM, men who have sex with men; STI, sexually transmitted infection; TB, tuberculosis.