An epidemiological study of invasive pneumococcal disease in a South Texas-Mexico border metropolitan community
Committee members: Isabel, Jeanne; Wilson, James.||Advisor: Kim, Jinsook.||Includes illustrations and maps.||Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
This research study examines the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease in Hidalgo County, Texas. Invasive pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection, causing severe types of clinical manifestations, including bacteremia and meningitis. Hidalgo County is the largest metropolitan statistical area along the Texas-Mexico border. Supporting a 2016 census population estimate of nearly 850,000, this community facilitates frequent bi-national travel, providing unique attributes towards disease transmission. This study aims to identify if population characteristics for infection aligned with current Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice recommendations for vaccination against pneumococcal disease. This includes identifying if the general healthy adult healthy population has an increased risk for infection, now that other populations are eligible for vaccination. Furthermore, this study aims to identify other population characteristics at increased risk for infection, so that prevention and intervention methods can be targeted to such groups.
