RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Geographical variations in the epidemiology of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in Manitoba, Canada JF Sexually Transmitted Infections JO Sex Transm Infect FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP i139 OP i144 DO 10.1136/sti.78.suppl_1.i139 VO 78 IS suppl 1 A1 L J Elliott A1 J F Blanchard A1 C M Beaudoin A1 C G Green A1 D L Nowicki A1 P Matusko A1 S Moses YR 2002 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/78/suppl_1/i139.abstract AB Feasible epidemiological approaches are required to make a better assessment of the stage of an epidemic and to monitor its transition through various phases. Application of the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient to summarise the inequality in STD incidence rates between jurisdictions in Manitoba, Canada, was found to provide useful insights into the concentration of these epidemics over time and thus their transition through epidemic phases. Further exploration of the statistical properties of these and other indices of inequality and their potential application to STD epidemiology is warranted. New epidemiological tools are also required for better monitoring of the impact of prevention and control activities and to inform the content of these activities.