Similar Socioeconomic Characteristics Research Articles

Respiratory and physical health consequences in older adults in a high-risk volcanic area: Comparison of two rural villages

Introduction Volcanism is an important natural producer of pollution that impacts health and the quality of the environment. Lung changes caused by exposure to volcanoes have been previously studied. However, limited information exists regarding the effects of prolonged exposure to volcanic compounds. So, this study aimed to analyze the pulmonary effects and stress tolerance in older adults for chronic exposure to the volcanic ashes of the Galeras volcano. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study of association included rural inhabitants aged over 60 years from Genoy, a village located in a high volcanic hazard zone of Galeras volcano, 2603 meters above sea level. Those in this group, called exposed, were contrasted with a sample of El Encano inhabitants with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. Both villages belong to the rural area of San Juan de Pasto in Colombia. Results It was found that of 31 exposed participants, 18 had obstructive alteration, and in the control group, it was found that of 31 subjects, 6 presented this alteration. The difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.001). A similar situation occurred with distal airway obstruction assessed with the forced expiratory flow of 25–75%. No significant differences were found in restrictive alteration between the exposed and unexposed groups. Conclusion Chronic exposure to volcanic compounds has generated obstructive changes in the population, and these changes were greater in number and severity than those in the control group of unexposed people.

Recent update on cerebral sparganosis: A bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping.

Human sparganosis, a parasitic infection prevalent in Asia, can progress to cerebral sparganosis, a severe condition with significant neurological symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to its clinical similarity to other infections, highlighting the need for improved detection and management strategies. The aim of this study was to observe research trends, key contributors, gaps in the existing knowledge, diagnosis challenges, effective treatment options, and prevention strategies, providing recommendations for future research directions and clinical practice improvements on cerebral sparganosis. A bibliometric analysis was conducted by extracting 139 documents from the Scopus database in June 2024. The retrieved data were analyzed using the R package's Bibliometrix (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer. Spanning 97 different sources, the research exhibited an annual growth rate of 2.5%. Annual scientific production revealed fluctuating research activity with peaks in 2010 and 2011 and notable citation peaks in 1996 and 2005, indicating pivotal studies that significantly influenced subsequent research. Early studies focused on diagnosis and specific parasites, while recent studies (2010-2024) have increasingly addressed clinical outcomes, treatment strategies, and advanced diagnostic techniques. Trends revealed a shift towards clinical and diagnostic advancements, with recent emphasis on diagnostic imaging, immunoassays, and the relationship between cerebral sparganosis and brain tumors. In conclusion, the studies on cerebral sparganosis underscore the potential for enhancing clinical practice by improving diagnostic accuracy, informing treatment decisions, and implementing targeted screening efforts based on epidemiology and risk factors. Recommendation to further study needs to notify the cerebral sparganosis in high-risk countries with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics to endemic regions, including Indonesia.

Understanding the relationship between limited neighbourhood food access and health outcomes of children with obesity.

Childhood obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic that requires a biopsychosocial treatment approach to achieve a healthy lifestyle. This study on children in a weight management program examines the relationship between obesity, disease complications, and social determinants of health. We expect that children with higher degrees of obesity are more likely to live in areas lacking access to healthy food and have similar behavioural and socioeconomic characteristics. Program participants were identified by neighbourhood food access status based on their home address. The prevalence of comorbidities in the participants was analyzed according to neighbourhood food accessibility. Multivariate regressions evaluated the association between participants' health outcomes and their sociodemographic and geographical characteristics. A total of 283 (98.3%) participants had a BMI ≥95th percentile for their age and sex and 68 (23.6%) lived in neighbourhoods with limited food access. Almost a third (Adj. R2 = 0.3302; p < 0.01) of the variability in study population's BMI was driven by sociodemographic factors, self-reported eating and physical activity behaviours, and had a positive relationship with access to healthy food. Nonetheless, HbA1c had a negative relationship with access to healthy food given the limited variation in the sample of participants with HbA1c levels indicating diabetes. Children living in neighbourhoods with limited food access had higher BMIs than other program participants. Thus, it is critical to identify children with limited neighbourhood food accessibility and promote societal and legislative change to improve access to healthy food.

Multilevel modelling, location and property valuations: an application to the Italian residential market

PurposeThe use of statistical methods in the field of real estate appraisals presents a trade-off between the efficiency of the estimates (that would require the use of sophisticate econometric models) and the ease of the economic interpretation of the outcomes (that characterises the hedonic pricing models). This paper shows that multilevel modelling (MLM) can represent a suitable solution to this trade-off.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the so-called “multilevel modelling” (henceforth MLM). MLM can represent a further step forward in the use of statistical methods in property appraisals. MLM is easy to implement and the MLM estimates have a clear economic meaning. Furthermore, MLM provides more efficient estimates of hedonic prices (the prices of housing attributes) with respect to standard hedonic pricing models. Finally, MLM is particularly suitable for the housing market analysis, where the feature “location” plays a key role.FindingsFor the Italian context, characterised by many “benchmark locations” (small municipalities that share similar geographic, historic, and socioeconomic characteristics), the paper finds that multilevel modelling (MLM) is needed to correctly estimate the hedonic prices also in a micro-area.Practical implicationsMLM allows to further enhance the key role of “location”. Location is indeed used as the “grouping variable” in MLM, instead of being treated as a generic housing attribute in hedonic pricing models. When the benchmark locations are many, therefore, MLM represents a very effective compromise between the estimates’ efficiency and the ease of outcomes’ economic interpretation.Originality/valueUnlike the related literature that, basically, use MLM to investigate what are the main determinants (levels) of housing prices, this paper uses MLM to make more efficient the estimation of hedonic prices.

Beyond the Rhetoric of Revanchism Towards the Metropolitan Core: An Analysis of Symbolic Representations of Milan From Its Peripheries

Socio-political research has shown that in metropolitan peripheries, populist parties have gained significant support. This is because these parties capitalise on a widespread feeling of exclusion, leading to a revanchist social representation of affluent metropolitan centres. This article contributes to the debate on metropolitan dynamics by exploring the social representations of the centre–periphery relationship, showing how symbolic representations play a role in shaping codes of action and revanchism alone is insufficient to understand the core–periphery relationship. Four suburbs with similar socioeconomic characteristics in the functional urban area of Milan were selected. Milan is the most important Italian metropolis, and it has a relevant socio-political fracture. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to analyse the cultural meanings of living on the periphery among local leaders. The metropolitan centre is perceived as necessary, evoking ‘efficient’ representations; however, these peripheral contexts are meaningful places of belonging. This article shows that an analysis of the dynamics at work at the metropolitan level should consider peripheral contexts.

Madrid international plan of action on ageing – some reflections

Introduction: The World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 came out with ‘The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing’ as guidance to member countries of the UN to plan their development policies by focusing on their respective population ageing pattern, current and projected. However, even after over twenty years since the document was signed by UN member countries to address multiple dimensions related to ageing issues, still certain challenges need attention, especially in countries where development resources are a constraint and populations ageing rapidly as seen for instance in South Asia as well as in Southern Africa and South America. Methods: This article based on the available literature, reports, and author’s research reviews the progress of MIPAA globally, specifically in South Asia, and generally in regions of Southern Africa and South America given their certain special similar socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Result: The challenges faced globally and especially in these regions are analyzed through a review of the implementation of MIPAA. To what extent these specific regions given their circumstances have been able to adopt the long-term strategy of MIPAA and develop a perspective on building a society for all ages by forging partnerships between different stakeholders from a right-based approach is reflected in this discourse. Conclusion: In the context of South Asia specifically and to some extent for other regions, certain suggestions are voiced out in removing respective shortfalls and taking forward the global guidance of MIPAA in the coming years.

Success of the tender stage of Ghanaian public labor-based construction projects

PurposeThe procurement reforms carried out by the Government of Ghana have led to the creation of the Public Procurement Authority and the passage of the Public Procurement (Amended) Act 2016. Nevertheless, many obstacles could prevent an open and fair competition during the procurement of works. This significantly affects the success of Ghanaian construction projects. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the factors to enhance the success of the contractor selection phase of the Ghanaian public labor-based construction project.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was adopted by this study. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire to 377 respondents across Ghana. The data was then analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThis study revealed that external, project procedures and project management factors impact the Ghanaian labor-based contractor selection phase success.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the contractor selection phase of Ghanaian public labor-based projects and developing nations with similar socioeconomic characteristics.Social implicationsStrict adherence to this study’s findings will enable the government to undertake more infrastructure projects to raise the standard of living for its populace.Originality/valueAlthough several studies have been conducted to improve the success of construction projects in developing nations, very little focus has been placed on the success factors of the contractor selection phase of public construction projects. These findings are vital in discovering for the first-time factors influencing the success of the tender stage of public labor-based projects in Ghana and developing nations with similar socioeconomic characteristics.

Return Migration and Fertility: French Overseas Emigrants, Returnees, and Nonmigrants at Origin and Destination.

Although growing research has emphasized the critical importance of studying returns for understanding various aspects of migration processes, knowledge regarding return migrants' fertility behaviors remains limited. This study addresses this knowledge gap by comparing rates of first births and completed fertility among three groups: nonmigrants (at origin), migrants, and return migrants. Using extensive data collected both in the home regions and at destination, we analyze female migration from Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Réunion Island to metropolitan France (European France). We find intermediate fertility behaviors for return migrants relative to nonmigrants and migrants: on average, completed fertility levels are lower among return migrants than nonmigrants but slightly higher among return migrants than migrants. Some of these differences can be attributed to selection into migration and return, although significant gaps persist among women with similar socioeconomic characteristics. Our findings highlight three key observations. First, when migrants return before beginning childbearing, their transition to motherhood closely resembles that of nonmigrants with similar characteristics. Second, the lower fertility rates among prospective return migrants indicate an anticipation of disruption effects. Finally, reduced fertility while residing in metropolitan France translates into lower completed fertility rates for return migrants.

Understanding stakeholders' perspectives on recent initiatives to promote research and development in higher education in Cambodia

This study aims to examine the perspectives of relevant stakeholders within Cambodian higher education on recent efforts to promote research and development in higher education in Cambodia. It draws on one-on-one interviews with 13 Cambodian policymakers, educational leaders, lecturers, and university students to collect in-depth qualitative data to understand how these stakeholders perceive the recent initiatives or projects to advance higher education research and development in Cambodia. The findings showed that all stakeholders were generally aware of the progress in research and development in Cambodian higher education; however, some of them could not identify specific initiatives or projects that had recently been introduced to promote research and development. The study highlighted major challenges that have constrained the advancement of research and development in Cambodian higher education, highlighting the challenging realities facing higher education in developing countries. It also offered some suggestions to foster greater research engagement and productivity of academics in Cambodia, which may be applicable to other countries with similar socioeconomic characteristics. The study concludes with a summary of key findings and discusses the study's limitations and implications for future research.

Effect of COVID-19 prevention as part of an urban renewal programme

ObjectivesTo address existing inequalities, the Barcelona City Council launched a Neighbourhood Plan in 2016–2020. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Neighbourhood Plan interventions were intensified. This study aimed to assess the effect of the plan on the incidence of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Barcelona. Study designWe used a quasi-experimental design with 16 intervention neighbourhoods and 17 neighbourhoods in the comparison group with similar socioeconomic characteristics. MethodsWe calculated the cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants by sex, age groups, and neighbourhood of residence. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate the crude relative risk and relative risk adjusted by socioeconomic status (cRR and aRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsThe CIR of COVID-19 was lower in the intervention neighbourhoods (CIR: 841 per 100,000 inhabitants) than in the comparison group (CIR: 973 per 100,000 inhabitants). On multivariate analysis, the aRR was 0.77 (CI: 0.70–0.83) for men and 0.89 (CI: 0.83–0.96) for women. Among men older than 75 years (aRR = 0.73; CI: 0.62–0.86), statistically significant differences were found in the intervention neighbourhoods compared to the comparison group. This pattern was not observed in women older than 75 years (aRR = 1.13; CI: 0.99–1.30). ConclusionThis research finds positive short-term effect in the intervention neighbourhoods. We conclude that the COVID-19 control and prevention interventions are likely to explain the better performance in the neighbourhoods included in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Impact of environmental factors on diabetes mortality: A comparison between inland and coastal areas

BackgroundDiabetes mortality varies between coastal and inland areas in Shandong Province, China. However, evidence about the reasons for this disparity is limited. We assume that distinct environmental conditions may contribute to the disparities in diabetes mortality patterns between coastal and inland areas. MethodQingdao and Jinan were selected as typical coastal and inland cities in Shandong Province, respectively, with similar socioeconomic but different environmental characteristics. Data on diabetes deaths and environmental factors (i.e., temperature, relative humidity and air pollution particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5)) were collected from 2013 to 2020. Spatial kriging methods were used to estimate the aggregated diabetes mortality at the city level. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to quantify the possible cumulative and non-cumulative associations between environmental factors and diabetes mortality by age, sex and location. ResultsIn the coastal city (Qingdao), the maximum cumulative relative risks (RRs) of temperature and PM2.5 associated with diabetes deaths were 2.54 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.25–5.15), and 1.17 (95 % CI: 1.01–1.37) respectively, at lag 1 week. In the inland city (Jinan), only temperature exhibited significant cumulative associations with diabetes deaths (RR = 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.07–2.23 at 29 °C). Lower relative humidity (22 %–45 %) had a lag-specific association with diabetes deaths in inland areas at lag 3 weeks (RR = 1.33, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.70 at 22 %). ConclusionDespite the lower PM2.5 concentrations in the coastal location, diabetes mortality exhibited stronger links to environmental variables in the coastal city than in the inland city. These findings suggest that the control of air pollution could decrease the mortality burden of diabetes, even in the region with relatively good air quality. Additionally, the spatial estimation method is recommended to identify associations between environmental factors and diseases in studies with limited data.

El efecto de la pandemia sobre el desarrollo del lenguaje en los dos primeros años de vida

Background and objectivesThe effects that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on the language development of children are still poorly understood. In this study, we examine the effect of the pandemic on this development by analyzing the vocabulary and the morphosyntactic level in a sample of toddlers. Participants and methodOne hundred and fifty-three boys and girls between 18 and 31months of age participated in the study. Of these participants, 82 were born and evaluated before the pandemic (PRE group) and the other 71 were born during the pandemic and were evaluated at the end of the 2021/2022 academic year, the last academic year in which restrictive measures derived from the pandemic were maintained in the schools (POST group). Both groups were matched by age and mother's educational level and attended nursery schools with similar socioeconomic characteristics. ResultsWe found lower scores both in vocabulary and morphosyntactic development in the POST group than in the PRE group. These findings are consistent with the scarce previous studies on children's language development during the pandemic. ConclusionsThe measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on the language development of children under 3years of age. It is necessary to pay special attention to these children due to the needs they may require in the immediate future.

Subsidized health insurance impact among the poor: Evidence on out-of-pocket health expenditures in Indonesia

Universal Health Care (UHC) in Indonesia, named the National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional - JKN), has been running since 2014. JKN was predicted to be the most extensive UHC program in the world. Under JKN, the poor get free health services through the cashless method through a sub-program called Contribution Assistance Recipients (Penerima Bantuan Iuran - PBI). Unfortunately, JKN faced several failures to cover the program's expenditures within years. Within the current dynamics, was PBI, as part of JKN still effectively helping the poor? We examined the effectiveness of the PBI program by measuring differences in out-of-pocket health expenditures for the poor with similar socio-economic characteristics who used PBI and those who did not. We incorporated secondary data from National Socio-economic Survey (SUSENAS). The dataset was executed by using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) methodology. We used health expenditures and socio-economic parameters such as income, education, and gender from the 2017 and 2018 SUSENAS data. We found that in 2017, the total health expenditures of the PBI beneficiaries were lower than the non-beneficiaries. Nevertheless, by merging all two years' data, similar to 2018, we found general pattern that PBI participants' total health out-of-pocket payments were bigger than the non-participants. Health expenditures such as medicine, traditional practitioners, and others, were expenditure classifications in which PBI beneficiaries had lower expenses than non-beneficiaries in 2017. Therefore, Therefore, the UHC subsidy program for the poor in Indonesia has not only been ineffective through the years of implementation but also has not been effectively implemented for all variations of health expenditure types.

House Condition Scoring Scale as a Risk Indicator of Infestation by Aedes in Two Mexican Localities.

Mexico has shown an increase in dengue incidence rates. There are factors related to the location that determine housing infestation by Aedes. This study aimed to determine factors associated with housing infestation by immature forms of Aedes spp. in the dengue endemic localities of Axochiapan and Tepalcingo, Mexico, from 2014 to 2016. A cohort study was carried out. Surveys and inspections of front- and backyards were conducted every 6 months, looking for immature forms of Aedes spp. A house condition scoring scale was developed using three variables (house maintenance, tidiness of the front- and backyards, and shading of the front- and backyards). Multiple and multilevel regression logistic analysis were conducted considering the housing infestation as the outcome and the household characteristics observed 6 months before the outcome as factors; this was adjusted by time (seasonal and cyclical variations of the vector). The infestation oscillated between 5.8% of the houses in the second semester of 2015 and 29.3% in the second semester of 2016. The factors directly associated with housing infestation by Aedes were the house condition score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.40-1.91) and the previous record of housing infestation (aOR: 2.99; 95% CI: 2.00-4.48). Moreover, the breeding-site elimination done by house residents reduced the housing infestation odds by 81% (95% CI: 25-95%). These factors were independent of the seasonal and cyclical variations of the vector. In conclusion, our findings could help to focalize antivectorial interventions in dengue-endemic regions with similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Property level flood risk adaptation: technical and socioeconomic dimensions to resilience

PurposeUnderstanding the technical and socioeconomic dimensions to resilience is core to making a business case for property-level flood risk adaptation. The study investigates the socioeconomic factors that impact the technical dimensions to property-level flood risk adaptation, and whether there is a typology of households adopting similar adaptation measures in Port Harcourt.Design/methodology/approachExploratory and inferential statistical analysis of data collated from 407 questionnaires was carried out. Using chi-square analysis, significant bivariate associations were sought between the level of uptake of different categories of property level adaptation and the socioeconomic characteristics of households. A two-step cluster analysis was used to explore discernible patterns of households implementing similar adaptation measures. Logistic regression analysis was further used to evaluate the extent to which socioeconomic parameters impact residents' willingness to undertake adaptation measures given the option of relocation.FindingsThe chi-square analysis highlighted a lack of significant association between some socioeconomic parameters and the uptake of individual adaptation measures. The regression analysis however showed that the socioeconomic parameters exert varying degrees of influence on the residents' willingness to undertake adaptation measures. Two homogeneous groups of residents with similar socioeconomic characteristics were identified via the cluster analysis but did not translate into strongly discernible adaptation differences/patterns.Practical implicationsThe study shows that although socioeconomic parameters to some extent underlie the technical dimensions to flood resilience, there is no distinctive typology of households in Port Harcourt adopting a similar combination of measures.Originality/valueThe study offers insights into understanding property-level flood risk adaptation responses within the context of the developing world.

RDPLF annual report: Profile of peritoneal dialysis patients in France in 2022, synthetic raw results

We present the main descriptive data of patients treated by peritoneal dialysis in France in 2022 in the form of tables and graphs. Patients from DROM-TOM and other French-speaking countries and regions of the RDPLF will be described in a future issue in order to group together regions with similar socio-economic and climatic characteristics.&#x0D; Since the SARS-Cov2 epidemic in 2020 and the three years that followed, the number of patients treated by peritoneal dialysis in France has decreased by 6.7%, but with significant regional variations ranging from +20% to -30%.&#x0D; Vascular (23.5%) and diabetic (20.5%) nephropathies are the most numerous.&#x0D; The average age for CAPD is 70 years and 58 years for APD&#x0D; 36% of patients are assisted by a nurse and 5% by a family member.&#x0D; The average waiting time for transplant patients was 20 months.&#x0D; There is a great difference in the technique of catheter placement with a catheter survival of 72% at 5 years.

Body percussion and selective attention. Interdisciplinary quantitative study through neuromotricity activities BAPNE method based on the dual task in Primary Education

The purpose of this research was to test whether the neuromotricity activities of the BAPNE method based on the dual task could improve selective attention and concentration in 5th grade primary school pupils. A quantitative approach was used, with a quasi-experimental design between subjects and with repeated measures before and after the intervention (pretest-intervention-posttest). The research was carried out in two schools in Alicante (Spain). The sample consisted of N=114 students between 10 and 11 years of age with similar socio-economic and cultural characteristics. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was used, dividing the sample into an experimental group (n=66) and a control group (n=48). The Spanish adaptation of the d2 attention test was used as the assessment instrument. Statistical data were processed using SPSS, JASP and Excel. Statistical decision-making was based on a significance level of alpha=0.05. Samples were tested for normality, parametric and non-parametric tests were applied, and effect sizes were calculated. The main results of the intra-subjects analysis were statistically significant in favour of the experimental group in the variables TRPOST (p=&lt;.001), DifTR (p=&lt;. 001), TAPOST (p=.025), DifTA (p=.021), CPOST (p=&lt;.001), DifC (p=.021), VARPOST (p=&lt;.001), DifVAR (p=.002), TR+POST (p=&lt;.001), and DifTR+ (p=&lt;.001). Three variables that showed differences in the pretest were invalidated. The within-subjects analysis was also favourable for the experimental group. In conclusion, an affirmative answer to the purpose of this research is presented. Keywords: Neuromotricity, BAPNE, Body percussion, cognitive functions, selective attention, executive functions, dual task

Territoriality as an analytical lens for exploring educational disadvantage. A qualitative study of VET students in Italy, France, and Greece

This study argues that the long-standing difficulties in addressing educational disadvantage point to the need to change the analytical categories used and takes territoriality as an analytical lens to explore how students perceive their place in the world. The study presents the results of a qualitative study investigating how 222 14–19-year-old vocational education students in Italy, France and Greece perceive a scenario of possibility. The results from reflexive cartographies and elicitation interviews show that a significant percentage of students with similar socio-economic characteristics have difficulty imagining and narrating scenarios about their possible future selves, and that there are similar themes and patterns in all three countries. The article argues that the above findings reveal hidden forms of vulnerability that impact on students’ academic trajectories and concludes by pointing out the analytical value and policy implications of the above findings in discussing educational disadvantage.

The Quintuple Helix Model: Cooperation system for a sustainable electric power industry in Mexico

IntroductionAchieving an energy transition in the power industry in Mexico is a complex task. Despite being one of the most promising countries in Latin America and the world for developing wind and solar photovoltaic energy, energy and climate change efforts are insufficient; therefore, changes are generated slowly and leisurely. This article attempts to make a proposal based on the Quintuple Helix Model as an analytical and decision-making framework to encourage the production and consumption of clean/renewable electric energy and reduce GHG emissions. It proposes the sum of strategic interactions to promote a cooperation system and knowledge transfer, know-how, and innovation through the active and committed collaboration of government, academia, industry, civil society, and the environment to achieve the sustainable development of the electricity industry in Mexico.MethodsThese hypotheses are the result of the development of a singular methodology based on Partial Least Squares (PLS), according to Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results point out that the five-helix approach is valid to solve the energy transition problem in the electricity industry in Mexico.DiscussionAlthough it is not fully developed and consolidated, it can be replicated in scenarios with similar socioeconomic characteristics. Furthermore, the government is the most opportune intermediary driving agent for the development of the energy transition in the electricity industry, since it is the one that can lead and drive the energy transition process by modifying the electricity sector through structural change in the energy market.

Investigation on the driver-victim pairs in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes by latent class clustering and random forest algorithm

Pedestrians and bicyclists from marginalized and underserved populations experienced disproportionate fatalities and injury rates due to traffic crashes in the US. This disparity among road users of different races and the increasing trend of traffic risk for underserved racial groups called for an urgent agenda for transportation policy making and research to ensure equity in roadway safety. Pedestrian and bicyclist crashes involved drivers and pedestrians/bicyclists; the latter were usually victims. Traditional safety studies did not account for the interaction between the two parties and assumed that they were independent from each other. In this study we paired the driver and pedestrian/bicyclist involved in the same crash to understand the socioeconomic and demographic make-up of the two parties involved in crashes and assessed the geographic distribution of these crashes and crash-contributing factors. For this purpose, we applied thelatent class clustering analysis (LCA) to classify different crash types and analyze the patterns of the crashes based on the income and ethnicity of both drivers and victims involved in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. We then used random forest algorithms and partial dependence plots (PDPs) to model and interpreted the contributing factors of the clusters in both pedestrian and bicyclist models. The clustering results showed a pattern of social segregation in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes that drivers and victims with similar socioeconomic characteristics tend to be involved in one crash. Pedestrian/bicyclist exposure, driver’s age, victim’s age, year of the car in use, annual average daily traffic (AADT), speed limit, roadbed width, and lane width were the most influential factors contributing to this pattern. Crashes that involved drivers and victims with lower income and non-white ethnicity tended to happen in the location with higher pedestrian/bicyclist exposure, higher speed limit, and wider road. The findings of this research can help to inform the decision-making process for improving safety to ensure equitable and sustainable safety for all road users and communities.