Strategic information (SI) is interpreted and used for planning and decision-making to improve the direction and focus of a program. Relevant data may be derived from a wide variety of sources (for example, monitoring systems, evaluations, program reviews, surveys, and case studies) and should be analyzed holistically and strategically to improve the direction of the program.
SI is collected to inform policy and program decisions. The axiom “Know your epidemic, know your response” characterizes the SI necessary for the response to HIV. It recognizes that epidemics and their contexts differ from place to place. Thus, knowing who is affected, how they became infected and where they are, is crucial.
