Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Length of Hospital Stay and Discharge Disposition Among Male and Female Gunshot Injury Patients in Jackson, Mississippi.

Authors

Okechukwu Erinne, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Deanna HowingtonFollow
Sarah McGraw, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Jonathan B. Lowrie, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Matthew Kutcher, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Alyscia Severance, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Masoumeh Karimi, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Leila Seidfaraji, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Lei Zhang, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow

Keywords

gunshot wound, gun violence, socioeconomic, length of stay, discharge disposition

Document Type

Research Studies

Abstract

Background: Gun violence remains a public health concern in the United States, with Jackson, Mississippi, ranking among the highest in gun violence rates. Understanding how sociodemographic factors influence clinical outcomes is essential for improving care delivery and resource allocation. 

Purpose: This study examined the association between age, education, employment, and insurance status with hospital length of stay (HLOS) and discharge disposition among adult male and female firearm injury patients residing in Jackson, Mississippi.

Methods: Data were obtained from the electronic health records of adults (≥ 18 years) presenting to the University of Mississippi Medical Center emergency department between 2018 and 2021. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models assessed associations between sociodemographic factors and outcomes.

Results: Among 835 patients (M_age = 32.4 years), males with at least a high school education had shorter HLOS (β = -4.042, 95% CI [-6.839, -1.246]). Unemployed males had lower odds of being discharged home (OR = 0.573, 95% CI [0.332, 0.907]), and uninsured females had lower odds of discharge home compared to insured females (OR = 0.229, 95% CI [0.066, 0.801]).

Conclusions: Socioeconomic disparities intersect with gender to influence firearm injury outcomes, underscoring the need to integrate social drivers of health into trauma care and community interventions.

Recommended Citation

Erinne, O., Howington, D., McGraw, S., Lowrie, J. B., Kutcher, M., Severance, A., Karimi, M., Seidfaraji, L., & Zhang, L. (2026). Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Length of Hospital Stay and Discharge Disposition Among Male and Female Gunshot Injury Patients in Jackson, Mississippi.. Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 6(1), 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1133