A Preliminary Assessment of Chlamydia and Gonnorhea Infections in the U.S.A. Communities Neighboring Military Installations

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among U.S. military personnel and neighboring communities prior, during, and after deployment are a threat to military readiness and community health. This pilot study used data from the Virginia Department of Health. Geographic and spatial pattern analysis of two STIs, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, were conducted. Of special interest was the STI spread patterns correlated with locations of military staging bases, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Higher prevalence rates of STIs were found in the counties contiguous to military installations.