Improving Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Diseases through Geocoded Morbidity Assignment.

Objectives: We assessed the added value of using a geocoder to improve sexually transmitted disease (STD) surveillance data and decision support through redistribution of inaccurately assigned morbidity in Richmond, Virginia.

Methods: Virginia initiated geocoding of STD data as a data quality tool in 2002. Geocoded output files were assessed and discordant proportions of reported gonorrhea and chlamydia morbidity were reassigned appropriately for the city of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County (2002 to 2006).