Analysis of a database of materials for HIV prevention program evaluation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Program Evaluation
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• Technology transfer in program evaluation disseminates research findings to practitioners.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests a shortage of accessible HIV prevention program evaluation materials.
• This gap particularly affects individuals lacking extensive evaluation expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability of program evaluation technology transfer materials for HIV prevention.
• To identify specific areas and audiences with limited resources.
• To inform the development of targeted educational materials.

Main Methods:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compiled and classified existing program evaluation materials relevant to HIV prevention.
• Materials were categorized by target audience, required expertise, and evaluation process steps.
• A database was queried using various search criteria to quantify material availability.

Main Results:

• The review identified a scarcity of materials for certain audiences and evaluation stages.
• A significant lack of resources was found for individuals without prior evaluation experience.
• The database query confirmed limited availability across specific search combinations.

Conclusions:

• There is a demonstrable need for enhanced technology transfer materials in program evaluation for HIV prevention.
• Development efforts should prioritize resources for underserved audiences and specific evaluation components.
• Addressing these gaps is crucial for improving the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs.