| Abstract: |
Tourism is a valuable source of revenue for countries and communities that
contributes to their economic growth. Despite these advantages, tourist travel
flow can have unexpected effects, such as spreading diseases, like sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), that affect public health. However, identifying
possible correlations between tourism activities in regions and disease
incidence is a relevant research issue that has not yet been extensively
explored. According to the World Health Organization, syphilis is a worldwide
STI with an estimated impact of 8 million adults between 15 and 49 years old
in 2022. This paper investigates and analyses evidence concerning the
correlation between tourism activities and geographical location with syphilis
incidence. The correlation analysis uses a machine learning algorithm to
cluster the governmental syphilis notification database of Bahia state in
Brazil between 2010 and 2019. Evidence analysis suggests correlations between
tourism activities in coastal tourism municipalities and the incidence of
syphilis. Identified evidence of a correlation allows proactive preventive
actions and positively impacts the municipality's public health sector. |