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- Isaac D Montoya, PhD⇑
- Address for correspondence: Isaac D Montoya PhD, Affiliated Systems Corporation, 3104 Edloe, Suite 330, Houston TX 77027-6022. (713) 439-0210, (713) 439-1924 (fax). imontoya{at}affiliatedsystems.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This paper examines whether or not topography is a contextual variable that indirectly influences the transmission of infectious diseases. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, economic status, injection drug use, and high-risk sexual behavior are known to influence infectious diseases transmission, but the effects of topography are often overlooked.
DESIGN: A sample of 395 drug users were chosen from census tracts based upon a target profile of drug use behavior and demographics for the city of Houston. HIV was chosen as the infectious disease used to test this hypothesis.
SETTING: Residents of 16 census tracts in Houston, Texas participated in this study.
RESULTS: The findings revealed that census tracts that were ‘isolated’ by topographic barriers, such as bayous, parks, railroad tracks, railway yards, major thoroughfares, freeways, and unique street grids had fewer cases of HIV than census tracks that were more accessible to thru-traffic.
CONCLUSION: The research findings suggest that future research studies should consider topography as being contextually related to infectious disease transmission.
ABBREVIATIONS USED: HIV = human immunodeficiency virus
- © Copyright 2004 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Inc. All rights reserved.
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