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Assessing spatial gaps in sexually transmissible infection services and morbidity: an illustration with Texas county-level data from 2007

Assessing spatial gaps in sexually transmissible infection services and morbidity: an... Background In the United States, sexually transmissible infection (STI) and family planning (FP) clinics play a major role in the detection and treatment of STIs. However, an examination of the spatial distribution of these service sites and their association with STI morbidity and county-level socioeconomic characteristics is lacking. We demonstrate how mapping and regression methods can be used to assess the spatial gaps between STI services and morbidity. Methods : We used 2007 county-level surveillance data on chlamydia ( Chlamydia trachomatis ), gonorrhoea ( Neisseria gonorrhoeae ) and syphilis. The geocoded STI service (STI or FP clinic) locations overlaid on the Texas county-level chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis morbidity map indicated that counties with high incidence had at least one STI service site. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between having STI services and county-level socioeconomic characteristics. Results : Twenty-two percent of chlamydia high-morbidity counties (>365 out of 100 000); 32% of gonorrhoea high-morbidity counties (>136 out of 100 000) and 23% of syphilis high-morbidity counties (≥4 out of 100 000 and at least two cases) had no STI services. When we controlled for socioeconomic characteristics, high-morbidity syphilis was weakly associated with having STI services. The percent of the population aged 15–24 years, the percent of Hispanic population, the crime rate and population density were significantly ( P < 0.05) associated with having STI services. Conclusion : Our results suggest that having an STI service was not associated with high morbidity. The methods used have demonstrated the utility of mapping to assess the spatial gaps that exist between STI services and demand. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Sexual Health CSIRO Publishing

Assessing spatial gaps in sexually transmissible infection services and morbidity: an illustration with Texas county-level data from 2007

Sexual Health , Volume 9 (4) – May 11, 2012

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References (21)

Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Copyright
CSIRO
ISSN
1448-5028
eISSN
1449-8987
DOI
10.1071/SH11117
pmid
22877592
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background In the United States, sexually transmissible infection (STI) and family planning (FP) clinics play a major role in the detection and treatment of STIs. However, an examination of the spatial distribution of these service sites and their association with STI morbidity and county-level socioeconomic characteristics is lacking. We demonstrate how mapping and regression methods can be used to assess the spatial gaps between STI services and morbidity. Methods : We used 2007 county-level surveillance data on chlamydia ( Chlamydia trachomatis ), gonorrhoea ( Neisseria gonorrhoeae ) and syphilis. The geocoded STI service (STI or FP clinic) locations overlaid on the Texas county-level chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis morbidity map indicated that counties with high incidence had at least one STI service site. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between having STI services and county-level socioeconomic characteristics. Results : Twenty-two percent of chlamydia high-morbidity counties (>365 out of 100 000); 32% of gonorrhoea high-morbidity counties (>136 out of 100 000) and 23% of syphilis high-morbidity counties (≥4 out of 100 000 and at least two cases) had no STI services. When we controlled for socioeconomic characteristics, high-morbidity syphilis was weakly associated with having STI services. The percent of the population aged 15–24 years, the percent of Hispanic population, the crime rate and population density were significantly ( P < 0.05) associated with having STI services. Conclusion : Our results suggest that having an STI service was not associated with high morbidity. The methods used have demonstrated the utility of mapping to assess the spatial gaps that exist between STI services and demand.

Journal

Sexual HealthCSIRO Publishing

Published: May 11, 2012

Keywords: family planning clinic, geographic information systems, STI service location, spatial analysis, Texas.

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