A new socioeconomic status measure for vaccine research in children using individual housing data: a population-based case-control study

• Main Authors: Rachel Hammer, Conrad Capili, Chung-Il Wi, Euijung Ryu, Jennifer Rand-Weaver, Young J. Juhn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2016-09-01
• Series: BMC Public Health
• Subjects: Epidemiology; Vaccination; Socioeconomic status
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3673-x

Abstract Background We recently developed HOUSES, an individual housing-based socioeconomic status (SES) measurement for health disparities research. We assessed whether HOUSES was associated with risk of pertussis and pertussis vaccine up-to-date status in children. Methods The study utilized a previous population-based case-control study cohort assembled during the 2004–2005 pertussis outbreak. We collected data on pertussis vaccine status (up-to-date status) at the time of the index date. Using a z-score for housing value, actual square footage, and numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms, HOUSES was formulated in continuous variable and categorized into quartiles. Vaccine up-to-date status was compared among subjects with different SES as measured by HOUSES using a chi-square test and logistic regression models. Results Of the 391 eligible pediatric subjects (median age of 13.1 years with male sex of 55 %), 363 (93 %) were successfully geocoded to formulate HOUSES index. HOUSES was not associated with the risk of pertussis (p = 0.82). Pertussis vaccine up-to-date statuses were 79, 86, 83, and 94 % for children in the first (the lowest SES), second, third, and fourth quartiles of HOUSES, respectively (p = 0.03). HOUSES as a continuous variable was associated with pertussis vaccine up-to-date status (adjusted OR: 1.15 per increment of one unit of HOUSES, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.27, p = 0.008). Conclusion While HOUSES is not associated with the risk of pertussis, it predicts vaccine up-to-date status among children with different SES. HOUSES may be a useful tool for vaccine delivery research among children.