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A Holistic Evaluation of Sexual Health Disease Investigation: Case Study of the 2022 Mpox Outbreak in Santa Clara County, California

Harit Agroia , Leyla Mousli, Disha Nangia

Abstract

Background: Despite its integral role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases, there is limited research that evaluates the impact of disease investigation (DI) services. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department activated its emergency response operations, which included designated DI services, to respond to its local mpox outbreak. The aim of this evaluation was to understand the range of outcomes achieved through mpox DI services. Methods: Mpox investigations completed between June – December 2022 were included in an evaluation that employed a composite measure to calculate the number of investigations needed to achieve the following outcomes: (1) treatment completion, (2) monitoring completion, (3) partial vaccine dose completion, (4) full vaccination series completion, and (5) STI and HIV testing. Results: The overall composite score of 0.53 indicated that that each investigation led to 1.90 outcomes achieved. Among cases eligible for treatment, 2.16 investigations yielded 1 treatment completion; 1.19 case and contact investigations yielded 1 monitoring completion; 2.21 and 3.53 contact investigations yielded 1 partial vaccine completion and 1 full dose vaccine completion, respectively; and 2.25 case and contact investigations yielded 1 STI or HIV test. Conclusion: Recognizing the multiple steps involved in DI can inform holistic evaluations that illuminate intervention impact.

SH24197  Accepted 13 January 2025

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