Integrating spatial analysis with census data to unravel the complex interaction between socioeconomic variables, the built environment and multiple housefires in a predominantly rural state

Abstract

Introduction Housefires can cause devastating injuries, disproportionately affecting low socio-economic communities. Applying geographic information system and spatial analysis, we examined the association between housefires and socio-economic variables from the area deprivation index (ADI) and social vulnerability index. Methods Patients who sustained a burn injury from a housefire and were admitted to our burn unit between 2008 and 2023 were identified from our burn registry. Spatial binary logistic regression estimated the associations between social vulnerability factors and census tract housefires. Results Multiple social vulnerability factors were associated with housefires with the final model, including fourth quartile of ADI (OR=5.9), percentage of black residents (OR=4.9) and mobile home residences (OR=2.5) compared with the first quartiles (p<0.05). Conclusion Multiple housefires occurring in a census tract are associated with social vulnerabilities. Identifying census tracts with higher ADI, black resident ratios and mobile home ratios can help focus community interventions on high-risk areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate and refine the model and determine the current model’s predictive ability.