title: Inequalities in the incidence of infectious disease in the North East of England: a population-based study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to measure the association between deprivation and incidence of 21 infectious diseases in the North East of England (2007-2011). We used count regression models with the Index of Multiple Deprivation and population/landscape data for small areas (~1500 persons). Deprivation significantly predicted incidence (P < 0·05) for 17 infectious diseases. The direction of association was broadly consistent within groups: increased incidence with increased deprivation for all three bloodborne viruses, 2/3 invasive bacterial diseases, 4/5 sexually transmitted infections (STI) and tuberculosis (TB); decreased incidence with increased deprivation for 5/6 infectious intestinal diseases (IID) and 2/3 vaccine-preventable diseases. Associations were removed for all but one IID (E. coli O157 infection) after accounting for recent foreign travel. Hepatitis C virus, TB and STI are priority infections for reduction of inequalities associated with deprivation in the North East of England.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England North East,Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Public Health England North East,Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult