Geospatial analysis of salmonellosis and its association with socioeconomic status in Texas

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study’s objective was to find the association between salmonellosis and socioeconomic status (SES) in hot spot areas and statewide counties.DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingThe data were recorded regarding salmonellosis in 2017 from the Texas surveillance database. It included assessment of hot spot analysis and SES association with salmonellosis at the county level.ParticipantsPatients with salmonellosis of all age groups in Texas.ResultsThere were a total of 5113 salmonellosis from 254 counties with an unadjusted crude rate of 18 per 100 000 person-years. Seven SES risk factors in the hot spot counties were as follows: low values of the severe housing problem, unemployment, African American and high values of social association rate, fast food/full-service restaurant use, Hispanic and Hispanic senior low access-to-store (p<0.05). A 12% difference existed between local health departments in hot (25%) and cold spot (37%) counties (χ2 (1, n=108)=0.5, p=0.81).Statewide independent risk factors were severe housing problem (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.1; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.14), social association rate (IRR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.92), college education (IRR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.07) and non-Hispanic senior local access-to-store (IRR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.26 to 3.11). The severe housing problem predicted zero occurrences of infection in a county (OR=0.51; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.95).ConclusionsDisparity exists in salmonellosis and SES. Attention to unmet needs will decrease salmonellosis. Severe housing problem is a notable risk.