Article Text
Abstract
Background Routine surveillance for sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STIBBI) are generally based on case reports. Additional data sources are needed to understand STIBBI syndemics, such co-infections, testing patterns, and timing of infections. We developed a STIBBI Data Mart that integrates laboratory and case information to better understand the context of STIBBI.
Methods In British Columbia (BC), Canada, the BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory (BC-PHL) performs about 30% of all chlamydia/gonorrhea and >95% of all syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C (HCV) tests. These data were integrated with case reports of all STIBBI into a STIBBI Data Mart using a probabilistic patient matching algorithm based on first name, last name, date of birth, sex, and provincial health number. Testing episodes were created to account for multiple tests related to the same disease event (e.g. anti-HIV, p24, and Western Blot testing) based on clinical input and testing pattern analysis. Additional algorithms were developed and applied to improve geographic attribution and flag tests performed as part of prenatal care.
Results The STIBBI Data Mart now produces indicators for co-testing and co-infection (e.g. HIV/HCV, HIV/syphilis) and testing patterns (e.g. HCV incidence among repeat testers, time since last negative HIV test for new diagnoses, syphilis screening during pregnancy) that could not previously be reported and which have become standard indicators.
Conclusion Indicators from the STIBBI Data Mart improve understanding of syndemics and better characterize subpopulations for optimal follow-up and care. Work is currently underway to integrate additional data sources that make up the balance of STIBBI tests to allow for monitoring at the population-level.
Disclosure No significant relationships.