A DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR AIDS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION

In recent years, the importance of information systems has been identi fied as a vital issue to continuing success in AIDS intervention and p revention (AIP). The advances in information technology have resulted in integrative information systems including decision support systems (DSS). The concept of DSS for AIP was created at the intersection of t wo trends. The first trend was a growing belief that AIP information s ystems are successful in automating operations in AIP programs. The se cond was a continuing improvement in modeling and software development in the AIP area. This paper presents an integrated DSS for AIP. The s ystem is integrated with a database and achieves its efficiency by inc orporating various algorithms and models to support AIP decision proce sses. The application examples include screening AIDS-risky behaviors, evaluating educational interventions, and scheduling AIP sessions. Th e implementation results present evidence of the usefulness of the sys tem in AIP.