PLACE: Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts

The Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) method is a rapid assessment tool to monitor and improve AIDS prevention program coverage in areas where HIV transmission is most likely to occur.

PLACE is designed for local program managers who want to know where to target resources to prevent new infections. PLACE systematically identifies gaps in current prevention programs, enhances the local use of the finding to improve program delivery, and monitors program coverage over time using easy-to-understand indicators and coverage maps.

The PLACE manual's files are available as free downloads. These files provide the entire manual in one Portable Document Format (PDF) file, as well as individual chapters of the instructional portions as individual files. Within each step, you will find references to the additional resources listed under other headings below.

Entire manual with all forms

To view the manual’s individual steps, select from below:

• Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts — Overview of the PLACE Method
• Step 1 — PLACE Strategy
• Step 2 — Identify Venues Where People Meet New Partners
• Step 3 — Venue Verification Interviews
• Step 4 — Describe Venue Patrons
• Step 5 — Use Results to Improve Programs

Microsoft Word Documents

These documents can be copied and modified for local study needs, using Microsoft Word software.

Interviewer Guide

• Interviewer Guide, to be used during training in Steps 2-4; and instructions for revising the guide.

Questionnaires (Forms A through D)

• Community Informant Questionnaire (Form A), for data collection during Step 2
• Venue and Event Report (Form B), for data collection during Step 2
• Venue Verification Form (Form C), for data collection during Step 3
• Questionnaire for Individuals Socializing at Venues (Form D), for data collection during Step 4
  

Certificates

• Confidentiality Agreement that will be signed in Step 2
• Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Research Involving Human Subjects Completion Certificate that will be signed in Step 2

Fieldwork Forms

• Community Informant Fieldwork summary sheet, to be completed during Step 2
• Venue Verification Fieldwork summary sheet, to be completed during Step 3
• Individual Interview Fieldwork summary sheet, to be completed during Step 4

Report Template

• PLACE report template, to be used during Step 5

PowerPoint Presentations

These presentations can be copied and modified for local study needs, using Microsoft PowerPoint software.

• Steering Committee Meeting Overview, useful in Step 1
• Interviewer Overview of PLACE Assessment useful in Step 2
• Interviewer Training Overview, useful in Step 2
• Interviewer Ethical Training, useful in Step 2
• Data Use: How to Write a PLACE Report, useful in Step 5
• Action Planning Workshop, useful in Step 5

Epi Info Guide and Epi Info Software Files

The software files (displayed in the matrix below) are available as Epi Info Version 6 files designed to help manage and analyze data from three of the PLACE method forms and to enter data into the PLACE report template.

The matrix describes each file’s use, organized by the relevant PLACE form involved.

Epi files

Epi Info software is available free of charge from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. System requirements for the software are described in the introduction to Epi Info Guide. The Epi Info Guide provides instructions for how to use the files.