Appendix 3.2.1: Surveillance Among Key Populations
Secondary Data Review Outline
The primary purpose of the secondary data review is to establish a foundation of
information on the populations of interest within the designated area. Existing
(published and unpublished) data are reviewed to:
 Describe the general characteristics of the local Key Population (e.g., age,
race/ethnic group, geographic location, other risk behaviors, etc.)
• Characterize the local HIV/AIDS epidemic among the Key Population
 Compile a list of community stakeholders, health department staff, and key
informants to be contacted for Formative Assessment interviews
• Identify organizations providing HIV prevention services to the Key Population
• Develop a list of venues frequented by the Key Population
• Identify gaps in knowledge about local the Key Population.
Secondary data sources include surveillance data on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other
sexually transmitted diseases; HIV epidemiological profiles; HIV prevention plans; HIV
counseling and testing data; data from community-based studies of the Key Population;
and other print and on-line media targeting the community locally.
The following is a sample outline for the secondary data review, which can be built
upon in each successive Key Population study.
A. Core document (General description – not specific to Key Population)
Part 1: Summary of structural/contextual factors relevant to survey
implementation (1-4 pages)
 Definition of the geographic region
 Environment that might impact the survey
 Description of housing size, structure, segregation (types of dwellings,
neighborhood design, neighborhood segregation)
 Laws that might impact HIV transmission or prevention (e.g. testing laws,
laws related to injection drug use, criminalization of HIV transmission,
laws related to homosexuality or discrimination)
 Stigma and discrimination toward high-risk groups and toward persons
with HIV
 Neighborhood violence/gangs/drugs presence as it relates to Key
Populations survey data collection
 Prevention and support efforts for HIV and substance use.
Part 2: General demographic make-up of local area (1-2 pages)
 Race/ethnicity
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Age groups
Highest level of education attained
Annual household income
Percentage of residents living below poverty line
Health insurance coverage
Unemployment
Part 3: Demographic characteristics of persons diagnosed with HIV in the area
– interpret/present data to enhance Key Populations survey (1-2 pages)
 Race/ethnicity
 Age groups
 Country of birth
 Mode of transmission
 Geographic
B. Key Population-specific document
Part 1: Overview of HIV diagnoses in target Key Population (1 page)
 Race/ethnicity
 Age groups
 Country of birth
 Mode of transmission
 Geographic
Part 2: Summary of sociodemographic characteristics of target Key Population
(from earlier Key Populations survey cycles and/or other local studies) and
comparison to Part 1 (1-2 pages)
 Race/ethnicity
 Age groups
 Country of birth
 Mode of transmission
 Geographic
Part 3: Summary of relevant research (2-4 pages)
Summary of relevant studies conducted among the Key Population, and other
relevant information with an emphasis on HIV risk behaviors, social networks,
sub-populations, geographic concentrations of population in specific areas.
• How is the Key Population defined?
• Are there noted sub-populations?
• Are there key locations/environments where the sub-populations can be
reached?
• Are there specific NGOs and/or clinics that the population or suppopulation is more likely to frequent?
• Are there existing and reliable data sources that track behaviors and/or
HIV and/or STD prevalence in the population?
• What is the uptake of HIV screening or STD screening among the Key
Population?
Part 4: Formative Assessment Data Plan (1-2 pages)
A brief summary of the major findings of the secondary review process:
 A summary of the topics and populations that Key Populations survey
staff need to learn more about during the formative assessment in order to
efficiently implement the survey
 Goal and objectives for the Formative Assessment
 Explanation of how data will be collected
 Designation of responsibility for each research activity
 Timeline
 Interview guides