Guyana (one of the most heavily impacted countries by HIV in the Caribbean) embarked upon a Modes of Transmission Incidence Study (MOT) in 2010 with the support of the UN Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). The MOT was developed by UNAIDS to help resource constrained countries use pre-existing epidemiological data to estimate the distribution of new HIV infections for the following year by modes of transmission and better target prevention programming. The newly developed EPI- review tool was used to determine data availability and quality.

A technical working group (TWG) conducted an inventory of available data in preparation for the MOT Study. Data was collected for prescribed variables in the model and assessed for quality using the EPI-review tool. The review included an analysis of methodologies, questionnaires, recruitment strategies and raw data used in and generated by previous studies.

The TWG found approximately 50% of the data needed for use in the MOT study. Methodological issues with data collection activities were identified, key questions used in population-based studies were modified and reconstructed, and formal population size estimations were recommended.

The review generated substantive recommendations to enhance future data collection activities and improve programming. Stakeholder awareness about limitations of available data and the types of studies/data needed to help better understand the epidemic and determine appropriate responses. Periodic reviews of data availability and quality are critical to knowing your epidemic and the most appropriate response.

The EPI- review tool increased stakeholder’s awareness about the limitations of the available data and the types of studies/data needed to help better understand the epidemic and determine appropriate responses. This capacity building effort generated substantial recommendations to enhance future data collection activities. The tool saved time and effort at the country level by focusing on the data needed to conduct the MOT.