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A statistical modelling approach to community prevalence data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

M. W. Knuiman*
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, The University of Western Australia
P. W. Burvill
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, The University of Western Australia
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr M. W. Knuiman Department of Mathematics, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009.

Synopsis

Sample survey techniques are often used to assess the prevalence of illness in a community and to determine any variation with environmental, social and demographic factors. Analysis of survey data is often carried out using several elementary statistical procedures. The formulation of a statistical model is an effective way of conducting a unified analysis. The model provides a concise description of the study population and is a most effective way of summarizing community prevalence data. The testing of statistical hypotheses is equivalent to model simplification and is conveniently performed using general procedures. Two alternative statistical models are given for an investigation into the extent of minor psychiatric morbidity in Perth, Western Australia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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