Comparative geographic concentrations of 4 sexually transmitted infections

R.P. Kerani, M.S. Handcock, H.H. Handsfield and K.K. Holmes

American Journal of Public Health, 2005, vol. 95, issue 2, 324-330

Abstract: Objectives. We measured and compared the concentration of primary and secondary syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, and genital herpes in a large county with urban, suburban, and rural settings. Methods. We geocoded sexually transmitted infections reported to King County, Washington health department in 2000-2001 to census tract of residence. We used a model-based approach to measure concentration with Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients. Results. Syphilis exhibited the highest level of concentration (estimated Gini coefficient=0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.64, 0.78), followed by gonorrhea (estimated Gini coefficient=0.57; 95% CI=0.54, 0.60), chlamydial infection (estimated Gini coefficient=0.45; 95% CI=0.40, 0.43), and herpes (estimated Gini coefficient=0.26; 95% CI=0.22, 0.29). Conclusions. Geographically targeted interventions may be most appropriate for syphilis and gonorrhea. For less-concentrated infections, control strategies must reach a wider portion of the population.

Date: 2005
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2003.029413_4

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2003.029413

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