The Development of a Web-Based Application for Mapping HIV Programs in the Mekong Region

要旨

The Greater Mekong region comprising 6 countries is a major focal point for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southeast Asia. It is critical to reach populations most at risk with maximum coverage to achieve significant impact in addressing HIV transmission. Though there are many prevention and care programs, there is a need to identify locations and populations which are yet underserved. A listing of existing programs on the ground that is visually translated into maps will help to strategically plan programs in collaboration with others to support comprehensive packaging of services that shall substantially increase coverage. This paper describes the efforts of an intensive web GIS supported mapping exercise in the Mekong region that assisted in the visual comprehensive overview of prevention and care and support programs for the most at risk populations in four selected hotspot provinces each in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and in Yunnan province in southern China.