Use of geographic information systems for planning HIV prevention interventions for high-risk youths.
Geographic information system (GIS) analysis is an emerging tool for public health intervention planning. Connect to Protect, a researcher-community collaboration working in 15 cities to reduce HIV infection among youths, developed GIS databases of local health, crime, and demographic data to evaluate the geographic epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections and HIV risk among adolescents. We describe the process and problems of data acquisition, analysis, and mapping in the development of structural interventions, demonstrating how program planners can use this technology to inform and improve planning decisions. The Connect to Protect project's experience suggests strategies for incorporating public data and GIS technology into the next generation of public health interventions.
Geanuracos
Catherine G
CG
University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Cunningham
Shayna D
SD
Weiss
George
G
Forte
Draco
D
Reid
Lisa M Henry
LM
Ellen
Jonathan M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology