BACKGROUND: Social network methods have improved our understanding of sexually transmitted disease transmission dynamics, and may be of use in routine field operations for partner notification. GOAL: To augment traditional syphilis-control activities with social network methods in an Atlanta area with high syphilis morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Disease investigators conducted interviews, used network diagrams to prioritize their work, and relied on network connections for finding hard-to-reach persons. RESULTS: A total of 396 contacts were elicited from 48 infected and 50 uninfected persons. The cumulative prevalence of syphilis was 12.6%, and 24 persons infected with HIV were identified. Network methods disclosed a large, interconnected group (276 persons) characterized by high network centrality and the substantial presence of small, interactive subgroups (microstructures). CONCLUSION: The network approach is a feasible field technique, and can identify core groups involved in the intense transmission of syphilis. The targeted, network-based approach may be useful in attempts to eliminate syphilis.
BACKGROUND: Social network methods have improved our understanding of sexually transmitted disease transmission dynamics, and may be of use in routine field operations for partner notification. GOAL: To augment traditional syphilis-control activities with social network methods in an Atlanta area with high syphilis morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Disease investigators conducted interviews, used network diagrams to prioritize their work, and relied on network connections for finding hard-to-reach persons. RESULTS: A total of 396 contacts were elicited from 48 infected and 50 uninfected persons. The cumulative prevalence of syphilis was 12.6%, and 24 persons infected with HIV were identified. Network methods disclosed a large, interconnected group (276 persons) characterized by high network centrality and the substantial presence of small, interactive subgroups (microstructures). CONCLUSION: The network approach is a feasible field technique, and can identify core groups involved in the intense transmission of syphilis. The targeted, network-based approach may be useful in attempts to eliminate syphilis.
Authors: Yuri A Amirkhanian; Jeffrey A Kelly; Elena Kabakchieva; Radostina Antonova; Sylvia Vassileva; Wayne J Difranceisco; Timothy L McAuliffe; Boyan Vassilev; Elena Petrova; Roman A Khoursine Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2013-02
Authors: G Ogilvie; L Knowles; E Wong; D Taylor; J Tigchelaar; C Brunt; L James; J Maginley; H Jones; M L Rekart Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Lisa W Kimbrough; Holly E Fisher; Kenneth T Jones; Wayne Johnson; Sekhar Thadiparthi; Samuel Dooley Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-04-16 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jeffrey A Kelly; Yuri A Amirkhanian; David W Seal; Carol M Galletly; Wayne Difranceisco; Laura R Glasman; L Yvonne Stevenson; Noel Rosado Journal: AIDS Educ Prev Date: 2010-12
Authors: Christopher B Hurt; Steve Beagle; Peter A Leone; Alyssa Sugarbaker; Emily Pike; JoAnn Kuruc; Evelyn M Foust; Joseph J Eron; Myron S Cohen; Lisa B Hightow-Weidman Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2012-12-01 Impact factor: 3.731