Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality
The primary objective of this paper was to investigate the methodological implications of mapping Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the partial three-digit postal code instead of the complete six-digit postal code. The reporting locations of N gonorrhoeae isolates submitted from hospitals, doctor’s office...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
1997-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1997/508160 |
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| _version_ | 1832548070308446208 |
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| author | Jody F Decker Bob Sharpe Jo-Anne R Dillon |
| author_facet | Jody F Decker Bob Sharpe Jo-Anne R Dillon |
| author_sort | Jody F Decker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The primary objective of this paper was to investigate the methodological implications of mapping Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the partial three-digit postal code instead of the complete six-digit postal code. The reporting locations of N gonorrhoeae isolates submitted from hospitals, doctor’s offices, private and provincial laboratories, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics were used as a model. Specifically, the paper focused on variations in geographical distributions of STD data when mapped at different aggregations of postal code data and at different map scales. Such variations are of importance to those who analyze the spatial epidemiology of STDs, and the accessibility and use of health care services. This analysis showed that three-digit postal codes are useful in summarizing overall geographic distributions, but greatly reduce positional accuracy, which can lead to inaccurate delineation of service areas and populations served. The six-digit postal code is more appropriate for detailed analysis addressing behavioural issues. The analysis demonstrated that six-digits can be used without breaching individual confidentiality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9d8e00a6b8e24506b5a6b9e636178560 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1180-2332 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 1997-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-9d8e00a6b8e24506b5a6b9e6361785602025-02-03T06:42:21ZengWileyCanadian Journal of Infectious Diseases1180-23321997-01-018527327810.1155/1997/508160Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and ConfidentialityJody F Decker0Bob Sharpe1Jo-Anne R Dillon2Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaThe primary objective of this paper was to investigate the methodological implications of mapping Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the partial three-digit postal code instead of the complete six-digit postal code. The reporting locations of N gonorrhoeae isolates submitted from hospitals, doctor’s offices, private and provincial laboratories, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics were used as a model. Specifically, the paper focused on variations in geographical distributions of STD data when mapped at different aggregations of postal code data and at different map scales. Such variations are of importance to those who analyze the spatial epidemiology of STDs, and the accessibility and use of health care services. This analysis showed that three-digit postal codes are useful in summarizing overall geographic distributions, but greatly reduce positional accuracy, which can lead to inaccurate delineation of service areas and populations served. The six-digit postal code is more appropriate for detailed analysis addressing behavioural issues. The analysis demonstrated that six-digits can be used without breaching individual confidentiality.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1997/508160 |
| spellingShingle | Jody F Decker Bob Sharpe Jo-Anne R Dillon Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| title | Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality |
| title_full | Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality |
| title_fullStr | Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality |
| title_short | Mapping Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates in Metropolitan Toronto: Issues of Scale, Positional Accuracy and Confidentiality |
| title_sort | mapping antibiotic resistant neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in metropolitan toronto issues of scale positional accuracy and confidentiality |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1997/508160 |
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