Impact of Healthcare Access on STI Prevalence: A TriNetX Analysis in the Hampton Roads Region
Department
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Graduate Level
Doctoral
Graduate Program/Concentration
Doctor of Medicine
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has risen sharply in recent years. Social determinants of health (SDOH), including low income, lack of health insurance, and racial/ethnic minority status, have been linked to higher STI prevalence. According to the 2023 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Report, Norfolk, VA, is among the cities with the highest STI incidence. However, no study has specifically examined the relationship between SDOH and STI prevention and care in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Objective: To evaluate trends in syphilis and other STIs among patients with varying access to preventive care within the Sentara Healthcare network.
Methods: De-identified patient data was obtained via TriNetX, a real-world data platform. Given the Sentara Healthcare network’s coverage across Hampton Roads, its dataset was selected as representative of the region. Since insurance status was not available, emergency department (ED) visit frequency was used as a proxy for healthcare access. Patients with ≥3 ED visits per year were categorized as having limited primary care access, while those with ≤2 visits were considered to have better access. We analyzed demographics, STI prevalence (including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV, and trichomoniasis), co-infections, and treatment differences between these groups.
Results: Preliminary findings suggest that limited access to primary care is associated with differences in rates of sexually transmitted infections, as well as variations in co-infection patterns and treatment approaches.
Conclusions: Our expanded analysis of Sentara network data via TriNetX indicates disparities in STI prevalence and co-infection rates among patients with frequent ED utilization, highlighting the impact of restricted primary care access on STI outcomes. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve STI prevention and management in underserved populations.
Keywords
Sexually Transmitted Infections, preventative care, Hampton Roads, Social Determinants of Health
Impact of Healthcare Access on STI Prevalence: A TriNetX Analysis in the Hampton Roads Region
Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has risen sharply in recent years. Social determinants of health (SDOH), including low income, lack of health insurance, and racial/ethnic minority status, have been linked to higher STI prevalence. According to the 2023 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Report, Norfolk, VA, is among the cities with the highest STI incidence. However, no study has specifically examined the relationship between SDOH and STI prevention and care in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Objective: To evaluate trends in syphilis and other STIs among patients with varying access to preventive care within the Sentara Healthcare network.
Methods: De-identified patient data was obtained via TriNetX, a real-world data platform. Given the Sentara Healthcare network’s coverage across Hampton Roads, its dataset was selected as representative of the region. Since insurance status was not available, emergency department (ED) visit frequency was used as a proxy for healthcare access. Patients with ≥3 ED visits per year were categorized as having limited primary care access, while those with ≤2 visits were considered to have better access. We analyzed demographics, STI prevalence (including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV, and trichomoniasis), co-infections, and treatment differences between these groups.
Results: Preliminary findings suggest that limited access to primary care is associated with differences in rates of sexually transmitted infections, as well as variations in co-infection patterns and treatment approaches.
Conclusions: Our expanded analysis of Sentara network data via TriNetX indicates disparities in STI prevalence and co-infection rates among patients with frequent ED utilization, highlighting the impact of restricted primary care access on STI outcomes. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve STI prevention and management in underserved populations.