Public Health Commons^™

Stochastic Variation In Network Epidemic Models: Implications For The Design Of Community Level Hiv Prevention Trials, David Boren, Patrick Sullivan, Chris Beyrer, Stefan Baral, Linda-Gail Becker, Ron Brookmeyer

Ron Brookmeyer

Important sources of variation in the spread of HIV in communities arise from overlapping sexual networks and heterogeneity in biological and behavioral risk factors in populations. These sources of variation are not routinely accounted for in the design of HIV prevention trials. In this paper, we use agent based models to account for these sources of variation. We illustrate the approach with an agent based model for the spread of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa. We find that traditional sample size approaches that rely on binomial (or Poisson) models are inadequate and …

Cluster Randomized Trials And Statistical Power, Stephen A. Lauer, Nicholas G. Reich

Nicholas G Reich

The cluster-randomized trial (CRT) is a common study design in public health research. In situations where dividing a group of individuals into treatment and controls is unethical or impossible, a CRT design maintains the strengths of a randomized study design. By comparing the outcomes of small populations (clusters), we can observe the impacts of interventions on the community as a whole. Public health researchers around the world have utilized CRTs to measure the effect of, for example, de-worming medication on school attendance, financial incentives on doctor absenteeism, and providing chlorine to waterholes. The CRT can be a potent tool, however …

Depicting Estimates Using The Intercept In Meta-Regression Models: The Moving Constant Technique, Blair T. Johnson Dr., Tania B. Huedo-Medina Dr.

Blair T. Johnson

In any scientific discipline, the ability to portray research patterns graphically often aids greatly in interpreting a phenomenon. In part to depict phenomena, the statistics and capabilities of meta-analytic models have grown increasingly sophisticated. Accordingly, this article details how to move the constant in weighted meta-analysis regression models (viz. “meta-regression”) to illuminate the patterns in such models across a range of complexities. Although it is commonly ignored in practice, the constant (or intercept) in such models can be indispensible when it is not relegated to its usual static role. The moving constant technique makes possible estimates and confidence intervals at …

Adaptive Pair-Matching In The Search Trial And Estimation Of The Intervention Effect, Laura Balzer, Maya L. Petersen, Mark J. Van Der Laan

Laura B. Balzer

In randomized trials, pair-matching is an intuitive design strategy to protect study validity and to potentially increase study power. In a common design, candidate units are identified, and their baseline characteristics used to create the best n/2 matched pairs. Within the resulting pairs, the intervention is randomized, and the outcomes measured at the end of follow-up. We consider this design to be adaptive, because the construction of the matched pairs depends on the baseline covariates of all candidate units. As consequence, the observed data cannot be considered as n/2 independent, identically distributed (i.i.d.) pairs of units, as current practice assumes. …

Causal Models And Learning From Data: Integrating Causal Modeling And Statistical Estimation, Maya Petersen, M J. Van Der Laan

Maya Petersen

No abstract provided.

Lung Flute Improves Symptoms And Health Status In Copd With Chronic Bronchitis: A 26 Week Randomized Controlled Trial, Sanjay Sethi, Jingjing Yin, Pamela K. Anderson

Jingjing Yin

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by mucus hypersecretion that contributes to disease related morbidity and is associated with increased mortality. The Lung Flute® is a new respiratory device that produces a low frequency acoustic wave with moderately vigorous exhalation to increase mucus clearance. We hypothesized that the Lung Flute, used on a twice daily basis will provide clinical benefit to patients with COPD with chronic bronchitis.

Methods: We performed a 26 week randomized, non-intervention controlled, single center, open label trial in 69 patients with COPD and Chronic Bronchitis. The primary endpoint was change in respiratory …

Spatial Epidemiology And Climatic Predictors Of Paediatric Dengue Infections Captured Via Sentinel Site Surveillance, Phnom Penh Cambodia 2011–2012, Andrew A. Lover, Philippe Buchy, Anne Rachline, Duch Moniboth, Rekol Huy, Chour Y. Meng, Yee Sin Leo, Kdan Yuvatha, Ung Sophal, Ngan Chantha, Bunthin Y, Veasna Duong, Sophie Goyet, Jeremy Brett, Arnaud Tarantola, Philippe Cavailler

Andrew Lover

Retention And Risk Factors For Attrition In A Large Public Health Art Program In Myanmar: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Aye Thida, Sai Thein Than Tun, Sai Ko Ko Zaw, Andrew A. Lover, Philippe Cavailler, Jennifer Chunn, Mar Mar Aye, Par Par, Kyaw Win Naing, Kaung Nyunt Zan, Myint Shwe Shwe, Thar Tun Kyaw, Zaw Htoon Waing, Philippe Clevenbergh

Andrew Lover

Note On The Origin Of The Madagascar Strain Of Plasmodium Vivax, Andrew A. Lover

Andrew Lover

Demographic And Spatial Predictors Of Anemia In Women Of Reproductive Age In Timor-Leste: Implications For Health Program Prioritization, Andrew A. Lover, Mikael Hartman, Kee Seng Chia, David L. Heymann

Andrew Lover

The Distribution Of Incubation And Relapse Times In Experimental Human Infections With The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Vivax, Andrew A. Lover, Xiahong Zhao, Zheng Gao, Richard J. Coker, Alex R. Cook

Andrew Lover