Background Spatial visualization of HIV surveillance data could improve the planning of programs to address the HIV epidemic. The objectives of the study were to describe the characteristics and the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed HIV infection in Catalonia and to identify factors associated with HIV infection rates. Methods Surveillance data from the national registry were presented in the form of descriptive and ring maps and used to study the spatial distribution of new HIV diagnoses in Catalonia (2012–2016) and associated risk factors at the small area level (ABS, acronym for “basic health area” in Catalan). Incident cases were modeled using the following as predictors: type of municipality, prevalence of young men and migrant groups, GBMSM activity indicators, and other variables at the aggregated level. Results New HIV diagnoses are heterogeneously distributed across Catalonia. The predictors that proved to be significantly associated with a higher rate of new HIV diagnoses were ABS located in the city of Barcelona (IRR, 2.520; P < 0.001), a higher proportion of men aged 15–44 years (IRR, 1.193; P = 0.003), a higher proportion of GBMSM (IRR, 1.230; P = 0.030), a higher proportion of men from Western Europe (IRR, 1.281; P = 0.003), a higher proportion of men from Latin America (IRR, 1.260; P = 0.003), and a higher number of gay locations (IRR, 2.665; P < 0.001). No association was observed between the HIV diagnosis rate and economic deprivation. Conclusions Ring maps revealed substantial spatial associations for the rate of new HIV diagnoses. New HIV diagnoses are concentrated in ABS located in urban areas. Our results show that, in the case of HIV infection, the socioeconomic deprivation index on which the Catalan government bases its budget allocation policies among the ABS should not be the only criterion used.

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In 1895, Jane Addams and other residents of Hull House published Hull-House Maps and Papers, the result of a social survey led by Florence Kelley about the working conditions and social characteristics of families living in the Chicago’s 19th Ward. The book included some essays prepared by a group of residents and neighbors and two sets of detailed maps that showed the total weekly earnings for each household and the nationality of each inhabitant. A detailed analysis of the maps and essays and the context in which they were produced is relevant today, not only as a pioneer example of mixed-methods research, but also due to their innovative cartographic proposal and their effort to produce high-quality data and visual materials to be used as a tool to promote social and legislative changes. The sympathetic, relational, and experimental approach to social research developed by Addams transformed the settlement into a place where the social and ethical aspects of knowledge production were combined with a scientific attitude directed to achieve structural reforms and constitutes an inspiration for contemporary urban researchers committed to a feminist, participatory, and critical approach to diversity and inequality.

Background Spatial visualization of HIV surveillance data could improve the planning of programs to address the HIV epidemic. Methods Surveillance data from the national registry were presented in the form of descriptive and ring maps and used to study the spatial distribution of new HIV diagnoses in Catalonia (2012–2016) and associated risk factors at the small area level (ABS, acronym for “basic health area in Catalan). Incident cases were modeled using the following as predictors: type of municipality, prevalence of young men and migrant groups, MSM activity indicators, and other variables at the aggregated level. Results New HIV diagnoses are heterogeneously distributed across Catalonia. The predictors that proved to be significantly associated with a higher rate of new HIV diagnoses were ABS located in the city of Barcelona (IRR, 2.520; P < 0.001), a higher proportion of men aged 15–44 years (IRR, 1.193; P = 0.003), a higher proportion of MSM (IRR, 1.230; P = 0.030), a higher proportion of men from Western Europe (IRR, 1.281; P = 0.003), a higher proportion of men from Latin America (IRR, 1.260; P = 0.003), and a higher number of gay locations (IRR, 2.665; P < 0.001). No association was observed between the HIV diagnosis rate and economic deprivation. Conclusions Ring maps revealed substantial spatial associations for the rate of new HIV diagnoses. New HIV diagnoses are concentrated in ABS located in urban areas. Our results show that the socioeconomic deprivation index on which the Catalan government bases its budget allocation policies among the ABS may not be appropriate for all diseases.

La geografía urbana crítica se encuentra en una posición privilegiada para aprovechar las oportunidades que ofrece la transición digital cartográfica. Para conseguir este objetivo es necesario, sin embargo, desarrollar unas prácticas cartográficas renovadas y creativas. En este artículo destacamos algunas aportaciones, realizadas desde la denominada cartografía crítica, útiles para entender las limitaciones que impone el mapa como herramienta de investigación. También identificamos algunos ejemplos cartográficos que muestran las ventajas de representar el espacio social urbano desde concepciones espaciales diversas. Una aproximación cartográfica más reflexiva e imaginativa puede ser útil también para aquellas personas y colectivos que empiezan a realizar mapas sin mucha experiencia cartográfica previa ni conocimientos formales sobre los efectos que tienen los mapas sobre la realidad que tratan de representar.