AEGiS-15IAC: The role of geographic information system in HIV/Syphilis elimination.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The role of geographic information system in HIV/Syphilis elimination.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10162)

Morrison-Jones JM
Texas Woman's University, Denton, United States

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease is highly concordant with HIV due to its similar risk factors [Aids Alert, 1998]. Several studies document that genital ulcer disease such as syphilis increases the likelihood of acquiring HIV infection [Aral, 1999]. OBJECTIVE: The techniques of geographic information system combined with the principles of epidemiology, sociocultural linkages (race, gender and ethnicity) and demographic factors were studied to gain insights into the geographic distribution of syphilis and HIV/AIDS among the affected groups, and intervention strategies for syphilis and HIV elimination were developed. Design and

METHODS: Surveillance data on cases of syphilis (P&S) and congenital syphilis reported to The Dallas County Health Department were analyzed to show distribution and trends by geographic location, racial and ethnic groups, and gender.

RESULTS: A total of 1204 cases of syphilis were processed by geographic information system. The resulting maps showed the syphilis cases by zip code region, census block group, street address and syphilis rate. The map showing syphilis cases by zip code region showed a high concentration (75-127 / 100,000) in the South Central zip codes (75216, 75232, 75241). Zip codes in the Southwest bordering the south central zip codes showed the second highest number of cases (50-75/ 100,000). The zip codes areas in the northern region of the map showed the lowest syphilis rates (1-10/ 100,000).

CONCLUSION: Routinely collected syphilis data coupled with geographic information system can define the geographic patterns of syphilis in core areas. Results showed that zip codes with high incidence of cases were generally adjacent to each other. In addition, statistically significant results confirmed that poverty, minority-race ethnicity and geographic core areas are factors associated with the transmission of syphilis.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Syphilis, Incidence, HIV Infections, Syphilis, Congenital, Risk Factors, Geographic Information Systems, Demography, Ethnic Groups, Geography, Poverty

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