Translating knowledge from Pakistan's second generation surveillance system to other global contexts

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health Security

Background:

• The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Project (HASP) was a collaborative initiative from 2004-2011 to strengthen Pakistan's HIV/AIDS surveillance system.
• The project involved behavioral questionnaires and dried blood spot testing among key populations, including injection drug users and sex workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the role of HASP in knowledge generation, utilization, and translation.
• To assess capacity building within donor (Canada) and recipient (Pakistan) countries.
• To identify opportunities for ongoing and future knowledge translation.

Main Methods:

• A critical review was conducted through interviews with project staff in Pakistan and Canada.
• The review focused on knowledge translation activities and capacity building outcomes.
• Documentation of ongoing and future knowledge translation opportunities was performed.

Main Results:

• HASP methodologies were disseminated globally through workshops and incorporated into WHO reports.
• Canada benefited from HASP, improving its own surveillance operations and logistics.
• Significant capacity was built among HASP staff, local NGOs, data units, and laboratories in Pakistan.
• Mutual learning and interest in HASP's approaches were evident.

Conclusions:

• The strengths of HASP's methodologies have created a demand for continued mutual learning.
• The project successfully enhanced HIV/AIDS surveillance capacity and knowledge translation in Pakistan.