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Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Applying the epidemiologic problem oriented approach (EPOA) methodology in developing a knowledge base for the
David Nganwa1, Tsegaye Habtemariam, Berhanu Tameru
1Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA. nganwad@tuskegee.edu
Ethnicity & Disease
|June 4, 2010
Summary
The epidemiologic problem oriented approach (EPOA) methodology creates structured knowledge bases essential for developing disease models. This study applied EPOA to build a comprehensive knowledge base for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) modeling.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Modeling
- Knowledge Management
Background:
- The epidemiologic problem oriented approach (EPOA) methodology is vital for creating systematic knowledge bases crucial for disease modeling.
- A thorough understanding of disease epidemiology provides the framework for developing comprehensive models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a knowledge base specifically for creating human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) models.
Main Methods:
- The EPOA methodology was employed to construct the HIV/AIDS knowledge base.
- This involved two triads: Problem Identification/Characterization and Problem Management/Solution/Mitigation, linked by a diagnostic procedure.
Main Results:
- The knowledge base was decomposed into six pillars: agent (HIV), host (human), environment, therapeutics/treatment, prevention/control, and health maintenance/promotion.
- Each pillar details relevant variables and parameters for HIV/AIDS.
Conclusions:
- The EPOA-developed knowledge base offers a structured information source for HIV/AIDS epidemiologic modeling.
- This facilitates variable/parameter estimation and analysis, supporting informed public health decision-making through various model types (conceptual, mathematical, computational).
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