The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42818

Paul H. Cleary, MPIA¹, Gail E. Kennedy, MPH², George W. Rutherford, MD², Gail Bolan, MD³, Prisci Quijada, MPH⁴, Remedios Lozada, MD⁵, and Steve Waterman, MD, MPH⁶. (1) Project Concern International, 148 E. 30th Street, Suite Up-South, National City, CA 91950, (2) University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 508, San Francisco, CA 94105, (3) STD Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1947 Center St. #201, Berkeley, CO 94704, (4) San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services, 1700 Pacific Coast Highway, Room 114, San Diego, CA 92101, 619 692 5793, cleary@pciborderregion.com, (5) ISESALUD, Ave. Constitución 1641Entre 8a y 9a Zona Centro, Tijuana, 21000, Mexico, (6) U.S.- Mexico Border Infectious Diseases Coordinator, CDC, California Office of Binational Border Health, 3851 Rosecrans St., P.O. Box 85524, San Diego, CA 92138-5524

The goal of the California Syphilis Elimination Initiative is the elimination of indigenous transmission of syphilis in California by 2004. While cases of primary and secondary syphilis have generally declined among heterosexuals in California, several cases have identified contacts or sought diagnosis and treatment in Baja California, Mexico. Given the number of people who travel between California and Mexico, elimination of syphilis in California will not be possible without controlling it in Mexican border communities. Project Methods: Enhanced disease control activitiesusing a Mexico-based rapid response team to follow-up with Mexican contacts of syphilis cases identified in California, and rapid reporting of California contacts to appropriate public health jurisdictions in California. The rapid response team is employed by Project Concern International but functions as an integral part of the local public health agencies in Tijuana and Mexicali. Training of laboratory technicians in Mexico in confirmatory syphilis testing to enhance the present local testing capabilities. Training for pharmacists in Tijuana to recognize the symptoms of syphilis and genital ulcer disease, treat appropriately, and report cases to health department officials. Conclusions: Inter-sectoral collaboration and creative mechanisms are necessary if binational syphilis investigations and control activities are possible. Further research is warranted to determine long-term results and the most effective strategies for conducting binational collaborative health prevention projects.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe how conditions in Mexican border communities affect syphilis elimination in California and vice versa.
• Identify strategies to address disease control and elimination in a binational context.
• Apply lessons learned from this project to other trans-border settings and health issues.

Keywords: STD,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.