HIV Gateway: expanding access to Caribbean HIV research via a website

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based HIV programming and policy in the Caribbean is hampered by limited access to existing research and other information about HIV in the region. A website was developed to facilitate such access. DESIGN AND METHODS: The HIV Gateway is a repository of publications and reports on HIV in the Caribbean searchable via a public website (www.hivgateway.com). Eligibility criteria were developed and used for searches to identify content on databases such as PubMed and Scopus. HIV researchers were approached to recommend and submit items, including unpublished research. Infographic tools were developed. RESULTS: By November 2014, the HIV Gateway contained over 5,500 journal publications, reports, conference abstracts, posters and slide presentations on HIV in the Caribbean, including over 250 documents not previously published or available online. All references include abstracts and web addresses (URLs) or PDFs providing access to original publications. Infographic tools enable users to analyse content by keyword, author and country. CONCLUSION: HIV Gateway provides opportunities for researchers and practitioners to build evidence-based approaches and to collaborate based on knowledge of who is working on issues and topics. Since it is publicly accessible, it facilitates the informed involvement of Caribbean people, including vulnerable populations, in the HIV response. Healthcare professionals can contribute articles or reports to continually expand and update the database and make this the website of choice for anyone wanting to find out about HIV in the Caribbean.