Community based research on the public health aspects of HIV infection is an important component in overall community response to HIV prevention and care. Almost a decade of battle against AIDS in Hong Kong has created a tremendous need for research based information for better programme and policy development. Establishing Community Research Programme on AIDS at the Centre for Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Research (CCTER) in 1994, with a modest grant from the AIDS Trust Fund was a response towards such a need in the community.

The Community Research Programme, has over the period of the past few years accumulated adequate research experience and data on various aspects of AIDS in Hong Kong. This programme is committed to develop multidisciplinary research in the area of epidemiological, social, behavioral and clinical aspects of AIDS prevention and care in Hong Kong and of the Pearl River Delta Region. Most of our research has been done in collaboration with various NGOs and, government departments. We were able to launch this programme with a generous grant from the Hong Kong AIDS Trust Fund.