Online Program

323824
Using Geographic Information System (GIS) to Identify Clustered Elevated Rates of HIV and Syphilis CO-Infection in Men WHO Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Selected Areas in Texas and New York: Comparison and Identification of CORE Areas


Monday, November 2, 2015

June Morrison Jones, MPH, MSc. PHD, Science, Bard High School Early College, Long Island City, NY
The purpose of this study is to use geographic information system (GIS) mapping to identify clustered elevated rates of HIV and syphilis co-infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) in selected areas (e.g. zip codes) in Dallas and Harris counties and Manhattan, New York. In addition, this study will use techniques of geographic information system (GIS) and principles of epidemiology to examine the role of any demographic factors (e.g. age, race/ethnicity) in syphilis incidence and HIV prevalence; the goal is to gain insight into the association of syphilis and HIV co-infection in MSM in Dallas and Harris counties, and Manhattan, New York—as well as to compare patterns of co-infection. The study has the following objectives:
  • Aim # 1: to examine the incidence rates of syphilis and HIV prevalence from 2008 to 2012 in MSM for Dallas and Harris counties in Texas, and for Manhattan, New York areas

  • Aim # 2: to assess HIV prevalence and syphilis incidence rates in MSM by geographic locations (i.e. zip codes matched with census tracts), while using geographic information system (GIS) to map yearly “over time” census-level disease rates and to identify cases of primary and secondary syphilis and HIV–so spatial analyses reveal “core areas” associated with transmission of disease “over time”

  • Aim # 3: to identify the most recent (i.e. 2012) geographic locations of syphilis and HIV co-infection peaking in order to identify potential targeted areas for HIV/STD prevention programs for MSM

  • Aim # 4: to make comparisons of findings for MSM in Dallas and Harris counties in Texas versus for Manhattan, New York, while identifying any differences or similarities that emerge in relation to available demographic data 

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
identify clustered elevated rates of HIV and syphilis co-infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) in selected areas (e.g. zip codes) in Dallas and Harris counties and Manhattan, New York.

Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, Biostatistics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be the abstract author on this content since this information is my dissertation. I am responsible for the development of the research methodology and all other parts such as data analysis, discussion and conclusion.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.