Browsing by Subject "Geographic Information Sciences"
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Item Geographic Information System: A Targeted Approach to Syphilis Elimination(2000-08-01) Morrison-Jones, June; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Lurie, Sue; Oppong, JosephMorrison-Jones, June, Geographic Information System: A Targeted Approach to Syphilis Elimination. Master of Public Health, August 2000, 55 pp., 3 tables, 3 appendices, reference list, 25 titles. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that has long caused a heavy public health and economic burden in the United States. With syphilis rates reaching their lowest recorded levels in the United States, Health officials are calling for an increased effort to eliminate the disease. In the United States, syphilis is also now extremely concentrated geographically, facilitating effective intervention. Most syphilis cases disproportionately affect a small portion of the population. African Americans who live below the poverty level, have limited access to health care, and have a number of social problems are also affected. This study examines the geographic distribution of syphilis and factors associated with syphilis transmission in Dallas County. The study used the techniques of geographic information system, principles of epidemiology, sociocultural linkages (race, ethnicity, and gender) between demographic factors and syphilis, to gain insights into the geographic distribution of syphilis among the affected groups, and intervention strategies for syphilis elimination were developed. These suggestions should assist the Dallas County Health Department in launching an effective syphilis elimination program. 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.Item Geospatial and Molecular Clustering of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Tarrant County, TX, 1993-2000(2002-05-01) Moonan, Patrick Kevin; Bayona, Manuel; Quituga, Teresa N.; Oppong, JosephMolecularly clustered cases are assumed to be the result of recent transmission of those in the cluster. An intervention that targets clustered cases with recent transmission, such as identifying contacts of active cases, could be effective as a programmatic control measure. The purpose of this study is to identify areas of recent transmission, whereby determining the contribution of geospatial and molecular clustering to the local tuberculosis morbidity. Tuberculosis cases due to recent transmission have important implications for tuberculosis control programs. They suggest that current methods of case-finding, investigations of susceptible contacts, and the provision of preventive therapy are ineffective in interrupting some transmission. This study utilized molecular strain characteristics and GIS technology to uncover geographical links to on-going transmission, where tradition public health surveillance methods are failing. Risk behaviors such as illicit drug use, crack-cocaine use, jail experience, and sexual relations with a prostitute were strongly associated with on-going transmission. Place factors, specifically where patients reside, was also found to be significantly associated for certain zip codes in Tarrant County. Cases in urban zip codes 76102 [OR=3.954; 95% CI=1.803, 8.671] and 76105 [OR=3.135; CI=1.254, 7.835] were strongly associated to infection with a clustered strain when compared to the rest of the county. The use of Geographical Informational Systems (GIS) technology and molecular strain typing provides a proactive approach that may be used to initiate traditional surveillance investigations. As an application utility, this project will be used to develop more effective means of tuberculosis control within Tarrant County.Item The Geography of the Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Fifth-Grade School Children in Fort Worth, Texas: Spatial Associations with Obesity and Fast Food Restaurants(2006-05-01) Pepper, Catherine A.Pepper, Catherine A. The Geography of the Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Fifth-Grade Schoolchildren in Fort Worth, Texas: Spatial Associations with Obesity and Fast Food Restaurants. Master of Public Health (Public Health Informatics), May 2006, 48pp., 3 tables, 5 illustrations, bibliography, 47 titles. In examining risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Fort Worth elementary schools, the investigator answered the following questions: What is the geographical distribution of risk for T2DM in Fort Worth elementary schoolchildren? How is that related to the prevalence of obesity? To what extent is the spatial concentration of fast food restaurants a factor in the risk for diabetes and obesity prevalence in this population? The investigator also makes policy recommendations regarding the prevention of diabetes in children. Statistical and spatial analysis of data, provided from a previous study at UNTHSC that assessed overweight and risk for T2DM in elementary school children in the Fort Worth Independent School District, was used to assess the association between risk of diabetes in children and proximity to fast food restaurants. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis was applied to the data to determine if such an association could elucidated.