netCanvas: Development, Hardening, and Dissemination of a Software Suite for the Collection of Complex Network and Contextual Data in HIV and Drug Research

项目摘要 彻底了解人口动态对于减少传染病的传播和 通知疾病控制中心。艾滋病毒尤其如此，因为其传播高度依赖药物 和性网络动态对于艾滋病毒感染率差距很大的受歧视人群， 结构决定因素（例如，贫困、获得护理、耻辱-围绕人口的背景）， 疾病驱动因此，收集网络和上下文数据是研究人员的高度优先事项， 不幸的是，这对方法提出了巨大的挑战。特别是，这些数据的性质 在数据收集、处理和存储方面引入了新的复杂性， 他们拥有强大的技术专长和创建定制解决方案所需的资源。响应 这一明确的需求，并得到了NIDA资助的HIV传播队列研究的支持（U 01 DA 0369349; PI： Mustanski; Co-I：Birkett），我们的团队开发了一个软件工具（netCanvas-R），可以快速， 直接从参与者准确捕获复杂的网络和上下文数据。利用互动 触摸屏界面、以用户为中心的设计和现代网络技术， 为研究人员和参与者简化。我们的团队受到了外界的广泛关注 希望使用我们的工具的研究小组，但我们缺乏这些自定义配置请求的能力。 因此，目前的项目建立在我们以前的工作：（1）扩展和加强现有的能力， 构建一个独立的netCanvas软件套件，这是一个用户友好、可通用和可定制的工具， 将容纳多层次、网络、纵向、地理空间、上下文和行为数据， （2）确保netCanvas软件套件的可持续性， 宣传工作、参与活动和制作强有力的培训材料。该项目将 简化复杂数据的收集和管理，从而使研究人员能够 评估环境因素与传染病传播之间更微妙的联系，并利用 这些数据几乎是实时的由于我们的成功历史，我们的团队特别有资格领导这项工作。 合作，我们互补的专业知识，以及我们寻求和采纳网络反馈的计划， 艾滋病毒和药物使用研究社区-我们的跨学科科学咨询委员会和 两个持续的测试站点与强大的NIDA资助的艾滋病毒和药物使用研究组合合作。

Project Summary A thorough understanding of population dynamics is vital for reducing the spread of infectious disease and for informing disease control. This is particularly true with HIV, due to its high transmission dependence on drug and sexual network dynamics. For stigmatized populations with large disparities in the prevalence of HIV, structural determinants (e.g., poverty, access to care, stigma – the context surrounding the population) also drive disease. Therefore, the collection of network and contextual data is a high priority for researchers, but one that unfortunately poses enormous methodological challenges. In particular, the nature of this data has introduced new complexities in data collection, processing, and storage that limits accessibility to only those who possess the strong technical expertise and resources necessary to create bespoke solutions. Responding to this clear need, and supported by a NIDA-funded cohort study of HIV transmission (U01 DA0369349; PI: Mustanski; Co-I: Birkett), our team has developed a software tool (netCanvas-R) that can quickly and accurately capture complex network and contextual data directly from participants. Utilizing an interactive touchscreen interface, user-centered design, and modern web technologies, the collection of complex data is simplified for both researchers and participants. Our team has received extensive interest from outside research groups who wish to use our tool, but we lack the capacity for these custom configuration requests. Therefore the current project builds upon our prior work to: (1) extend and harden existing capabilities and build a standalone netCanvas software suite that is a user-friendly, generalizable, and customizable tool that will accommodate multilevel, network, longitudinal, geospatial, contextual, and behavioral data without the requirement of technical expertise; (2) ensure the sustainability of the netCanvas software suite through promotional work, engagement activities, and the production of strong training materials. This project will simplify the collection and streamline the management of complex data, thereby allowing researchers to assess more nuanced associations between contextual factors and the spread of infectious disease, and utilize this data in near real-time. Our team is particularly qualified to lead this work due to our history of successful collaboration, our complementary expertise, and our plan to seek and incorporate feedback from the network, HIV, and drug use research communities – as evidenced by our interdisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board and two sustained test site collaborations with strong NIDA-funded HIV and drug use research portfolios.