Randomized Controlled Trial Design Based on Patient Cohorts： Methods and Applications of Trials Within Cohorts / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Trials within cohorts （TwiCs） are design methods derived from randomized controlled trials （RCTS）. They have been widely used in chronic disease areas such as tumors and cardiovascular diseases. The basis of the TwiCs design is a prospective cohort of specific diseases. When RCTS need to be implemented， some patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria are randomly sampled from the cohort to receive "trial interventions"， while the remaining patients in the cohort who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria continue to receive conventional treatment as control groups. By comparing the efficacy differences between the intervention measures of the trial group and the control group， the efficacy of intervention measures was evaluated. Within the cohort， the same process could be repeated to carry out multiple RCTS， so as to evaluate different intervention measures or compare the efficacy of different doses or timing of interventions. Compared with classical RCTS， TwiCs make it easier to recruit patients from the cohort and have higher external validity， providing a new research paradigm for improving the efficiency and applicability of RCTS in clinical practice. However， TwiCs may also face the challenge of poor compliance of patients in the cohort. Researchers need to take effective measures to control these patients in the design and operation of TwiCs. This article focused on the methodological key points during the implementation of TwiCs， including multi-stage informed consent （patients are informed of consent at three stages： entering the cohort， entering the trial group， and after the trial）， randomization procedures （only random sampling of patients from the cohort to receive "trial interventions"）， sample size calculation， and statistical analysis methods. The article also compared the differences between TwiCs and traditional RCTS and illustrated TwiCs research design and analysis with examples， so as to provide new research ideas and methods for clinical researchers.

National health surveys: overview of sampling techniques and data collected using complex designs / Encuestas nacionales de salud: descripción general de las técnicas de muestreo y los datos recopilados por diseños complejos / Inquéritos nacionais de saúde: visão geral sobre técnicas de amostragem e dados coletados por desenhos complexos

Abstract This article aimed to present an overview of national health surveys, sampling techniques, and components of statistical analysis of data collected using complex sampling designs. Briefly, surveys aimed at assessing the nutritional status of Brazilians and maternal and child health care were described. Surveys aimed at investigating access to and use of health services and funding, those aimed at surveillance of chronic noncommunicable diseases and associated behaviors, and those focused on risk practices regarding sexually transmitted infections were also addressed. Health surveys through social networks, including online networks, deserved specific attention in the study. The conclusion is that the development of health surveys in Brazil, in different areas and using different sampling methodologies, has contributed enormously to the advancement of knowledge and to the formulation of public policies aimed at the health and well-being of the Brazilian population.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo presentar una descripción de las encuestas nacionales de salud, las técnicas de muestreo y los componentes del análisis estadístico de diseños de muestreo complejos. Brevemente, se describieron encuestas destinadas a evaluar el estado nutricional y la atención a la salud materno-infantil. También se abordaron las encuestas dirigidas a investigar el acceso y uso de los servicios de salud y el financiamiento, las dirigidas a la vigilancia de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y comportamientos asociados, y las enfocadas a las prácticas de riesgo para las infecciones de transmisión sexual. Las encuestas de salud a través de las redes sociales, incluidas las virtuales, merecieron atención específica en el estudio. Se concluye que el desarrollo de encuestas de salud en Brasil ha contribuido enormemente para el avance del conocimiento y para la formulación de políticas públicas dirigidas a la salud y el bienestar de la población brasileña.

Resumo O artigo teve por finalidade apresentar um panorama dos inquéritos nacionais de saúde, técnicas de amostragem e componentes da análise estatística de dados coletados por desenhos complexos de amostragem. Foram descritos, brevemente, os inquéritos dirigidos à avaliação do estado nutricional dos brasileiros e da atenção à saúde materno-infantil. Inquéritos voltados à investigação do acesso, utilização dos serviços e financiamento da saúde, aqueles dedicados à vigilância das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e comportamentos associados e os focados nas práticas de risco às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis foram também abordados. As pesquisas de saúde por redes sociais, incluindo as virtuais, mereceram atenção específica. Conclui-se que o desenvolvimento de inquéritos de saúde no Brasil, em diferentes áreas e por distintas metodologias de amostragem, contribuiu enormemente para o avanço do conhecimento e a formulação de políticas públicas dirigidas à saúde e bem-estar da população brasileira.

Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Medication Practices In Urban Field Practice Area, Dharwad

Background: The estimated prevalence of self-medication practices globally and nationally are 95% and 71% respectively. Inappropriate self-medication leads to irrational use of drugs and development of drug resistance. Hence, the present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in urban field practice area, SDMCMS&H, Dharwad. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2018-2019 among adult aged 18-60 years. The estimated sample size was 335. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the samples. Data was collected by administering questionnaire to the consented study participants. Results: A total of 335 adults participated in our study. The prevalence of self-medication practices was 46%. Minor-illness 89(57.7%) and quick relief 50(32.46%) were the major reasons given for practicing self-medication. Fever and headache 146(94.8%) was the most common symptom and analgesic 128(83.11%) was the most common drug used. significant association was found between self-medication practices and religion, age, employment and presence of health care workers in the family. Conclusion: Around half of the study participants practiced self-medication. Easy availability and limited knowledge are the reasons for wide range of practice. Creating awareness about dangers of self-medication is important to prevent untoward effects and drug resistance.

Urodynamics quality in southwest China: a multicenter random study / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the urodynamics quality in Southwest China, and find out the main issues of urodynamics quality in Southwest China and try to find out the improvement ways.Methods:In this study, a two-stage sampling method was used.In the first stage, 10 medical institutions in Southwest China were selected by cluster sampling from March to June, 2020.In the second stage, according to the development of UDS in Southwest China, the sample size estimation formula was adopted, and the loss of follow-up rate in reports extraction was considered, the initial sample size was 350. As the workload of UDS in the 10 medical institutions involved in the study was equivalent, 35 urodynamics traces from each medical institution were selected. The initial samples should also meet the inclusion criteria: ①patients with clear medical history and complete clinical data; ②UDS traces were clear; ③UDS system was water filled system; ④age>18, and 150 urodynamic traces were included in the final study. We evaluated the quality of enrolled urodynamics traces, and the quality evaluation standard according to the guidelines established by the International Continence Society (ICS). The evaluation conducted by two independent urologist with more than 10 years working experience. Artifacts were divided into non-technical artifacts: abnormal abdominal pressure changes, urine volume <150 ml when did the uroflow test, and technical artifacts: non-standard zero setting, fail to record all urodynamics parameters, baseline drift, catheter displacement, misjudgment of detrusor physiological contraction and detrusor overactive in voiding phase, misjudgment between detrusor overactive and bladder low compliance in filling phase.Results:non-technical artifacts: 32 cases were found abnormal abdominal pressure changes (21.3%), 21 cases (14.0%) were found when did the uroflow test the urine volume <150 ml, and technical artifacts: Non-standard zero setting in 28 cases (18.7%), fail to record all urodynamics parameters in 8 cases, baseline drift in 16 cases, catheter displacement in 9 cases and misjudgment of detrusor physiological contraction and detrusor overactive in voiding phase in 12 cases, misjudgment between detrusor overactive and bladder low compliance in filling phase in 24 cases (16.0%).Conclusions:At present, the urodynamics quality in Southwest China need to be improved. The main issues were that the operator didn’t obey the basic operation and quality control process, and the operator did not have enough basic knowledge of urodynamics. It can be improved by strictly carry out the operation standard of UDS, identifying and correcting artifacts in time, and promoting the standardized urodynamic training courses.

Algunas consideraciones para el cálculo del tamaño muestral en investigaciones de las Ciencias Médicas / Some considerations for the calculation of the sample size in Medical Sciences research

RESUMEN El proceso de formación y superación permanente o continuada de los profesionales, como un principio de la Educación Médica, se articula con la integración docencia, asistencia e investigación. Para responder a las exigencias de la actividad investigativa, la búsqueda y el tratamiento de la información requiere de un estudio estadístico para que aflore la cualidad desde el análisis cuantitativo; para ello, es importante considerar que en todos los estudios de esta magnitud, la población total se hace muy engorrosa, cara y lenta, por lo que se deben emplear técnicas de muestreo para obtener información significativa con el uso de menos recursos y menor tiempo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es reflexionar sobre el uso del muestreo en las ciencias médicas. Se expone la fórmula del muestreo para media y varianza conocidas, se da una técnica para encontrar el número de elementos de la muestra inicial cuando no se tienen conocimientos previos de media y varianza; se estudia el muestreo aleatorio simple de proporciones con las probabilidades de éxito y fracaso p y q respectivamente, explicándose el caso cuando se tiene p = q = 0.5 para la obtención de un tamaño de la muestra máximo.

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to reflect some considerations on the use of sampling in health sciences, based on the need for professionals in these sciences to familiarize themselves with scientific research in their area of knowledge, from a scientific perspective, that makes it possible to investigate the health problems that are constantly developing. The process of Permanent and Continuous Training and Improvement of professionals, as a principle of Medical Education, is articulated with that of Teaching - Assistance and research, the search and treatment of information in this area of scientific knowledge, requires of a statistical study that emerges the quality from the quantitative analysis, for this, it is important to consider that in all studies of this magnitude, the total population becomes very cumbersome, expensive and slow, so sampling techniques should be used to Obtain meaningful information with the use of less resources and less time. The sampling formula for known mean and variance is presented, a technique is given to find the number of elements of the initial sample when there is no prior knowledge of mean and variance, simple random sampling of proportions with the probabilities of success is studied and failure p and q respectively, explaining the case when you have p = q = 0.5 to obtain a maximum sample size.

Muestreo aleatorio de base espacial y su utilidad en la investigación epidemiológica / Space-based random sampling and its usefulness in epidemiological research

La correcta aplicación de las técnicas del proceso de muestreo se ha hecho indispensable para la investigación en el campo de la epidemiologia, el desafío de todo investigador, es que los resultados de unos cuantos, puedan ser extrapolables para una población. El presente artículo, es una revisión no sistemática, que proporciona información sobre la aplicación de un método de muestreo aleatorio asociado con una ubicación geográfica, para el estudio de "Valores de Referencia de la Fuerza de Agarre en adultos del departamento de Cochabamba-Bolivia". Primeramente, en la introducción se revisa la importancia de estimación de parámetros poblaciones de referencia, a partir de preguntas descriptivas. Seguidamente se menciona las características de la investigación epidemiológica asociada a la espacialidad; en tercer lugar, se detalla la metodología y las experiencias que conllevo la aplicación del muestreo en el proyecto. Finalmente se hace un hincapié en la necesidad y relevancia del uso de esta metodología.

The correct application of the sampling process techniques has become indispensable for research in the field of epidemiology, the challenge of every researcher, is that the results of a few can be extrapolated to a population. This article is a non-systematic review, which provides information on the application of a random sampling method associated with a geographical location, for the study of "Reference Values of Grip Force in adults of the department of Cochabamba-Bolivia". First, the introduction reviews the importance of estimating reference population parameters, based on descriptive questions. Next, the characteristics of the epidemiological research associated with spatiality are mentioned, in third place, the methodology and the experiences that the application of sampling in the project entails. Finally, an emphasis is placed on the need and relevance of the use of this methodology.

A study of knowledge, attitude and practice on use of antibiotics and its resistance among the doctors and interns at urban tertiary care hospital: an interventional study

Background: Infections due to resistant micro-organisms considerably increase the mortality rate, treatment cost, disease spread and duration of illness. The development of antibiotic resistance (AMR) is increasing steadily increasing over the last 10-15 years, which is a real threat to disease management. Many studies states that about 20-50% of antibiotic use unnecessary so decreasing the use of antibiotics is the first step to curb the AMR.Methods: A questionnaire based prospective interventional study among the doctors. Systemic random sampling was applied. The pre tested structured questionnaire was used. Data抯 were summarised in the excel sheet, analysed by proportions, percentages and other statistical methods like Student t test, Fisher test and Chi square test were used to check the association. The p>0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Out of 200 doctors, preliminary screening of 170 was included in the study and finally 156 participants were actively selected for analysis of results. Out of 156 participants, 55.1% were MBBS Intern and 44.9% were doctors. High significance (p=0.0001) were found between pre and post knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors.Conclusions: Further modes of studies have to perform to identify the determinants of attitude behaviour and motivation that lead people to use and misuse antibiotics. For effective outcome many more qualitative and quantitative studies are required. In addition, health care system should follow proper regulation and prescription policy as well as controls for prescription of antibiotic drugs.

Muestreo para el levantamiento de datos acerca de la enseñanza de física experimental en Guayaquil / Sampling for data collection about the teaching of experimental physics in Guayaquil / Amostragem para a pesquisa de dados sobre o ensino da física experimental em Guayaquil

Resumen Introducción: Este trabajo es parte del desarrollo de un proyecto que tiene como objetivo caracterizar el estado de la enseñanza de la Física Experimental en las instituciones educativas de nivel medio de la ciudad de Guayaquil. Objetivo: Determinar una muestra para el levantamiento de datos por medio de una encuesta acerca de la Física Experimental en Guayaquil. Materiales y métodos: Se delimitó la población de estudio y se realizó un muestreo aleatorio combinado con un muestreo estratificado. Resultados: Se debe observar 192 instituciones educativas de nivel bachillerato como muestra representativa de las 384 que conforman la población. Con esta información se calculó la proporción de instituciones por cada distrito. Conclusión: Esta no es la única vía para calcular el tamaño de la muestra, sin embargo, es necesario informar los procedimientos utilizados en este proceso, lo que permite al lector emitir su propio juicio sobre si aceptan las suposiciones del grupo de investigación y procedimientos.

Abstract Introduction: This work is part of the development of a project that aims to characterize the state of the teaching of Experimental Physics in educational institutions of the middle level of the city of Guayaquil. Objective: Determine a sample for data collection by means of a survey about Experimental Physics in Guayaquil. Materials and methods: The study population was delimited and a random sampling combined with a stratified sampling was carried out. Results: It should be noted 192 educational institutions of high school level as a representative sample of the 384 that make up the population. With this information, the proportion of institutions for each district was calculated. Conclusion: This is not the only way to calculate the size of the sample, however, it is necessary to inform the procedures used in this process, which allows the reader to make their own judgment about whether they accept the assumptions of the research group and procedures.

Resumo Introdução: Este trabalho é parte do desenvolvimento de um projeto que visa caracterizar o estado do ensino da Física Experimental em instituições de ensino do nível médio da cidade de Guayaquil. Objetivo: Determinar uma amostra para coleta de dados por meio de uma pesquisa sobre a Física Experimental em Guayaquil. Materiais e métodos: A população do estudo foi delimitada e uma amostragem aleatória combinada com uma amostragem estratificada foi realizada. Resultados: Deve-se notar 192 instituições educacionais do ensino médio como uma amostra representativa dos 384 que compõem a população. Com essa informação, a proporção de instituições para cada distrito foi calculada. Conclusão: Esta não é a única maneira de calcular o tamanho da amostra, no entanto, relatam os procedimentos utilizados neste processo, permitindo que o leitor a emitir seu próprio julgamento sobre se a aceitar o grupo de pesquisa pressupostos e procedimentos.

Normal y lognormal: dos distribuciones de frecuencias y una Teoría Neutral Unificada para estudiar los bosques tropicales / Normal, and lognormal: two frequency distributions, and one Unified Neutral Theory for studying Tropical forests

Los inventarios de biodiversidad en sitios contrastantes obtienen datos con distribuciones normales y lognormales, útiles para cuantificar cómo el cambio climático afecta a los bosques del mundo. Sin embargo, casi todos los biólogos están familiarizados con la normal, pero menos discuten el por qué la distribución lognormal de frecuencias relativas de especies ocurre en tantas comunidades bióticas. Pretendemos incorporar a más estudiosos a dicha discusión. Tanto la normal como la lognormal tienen medias y valores extremos. Ello es consistente con el teorema del límite central; válido cuando los datos de un muestreo provienen de procesos aleatorios y el muestreo ha sido estocástico y representativo. Según la Teoría Neutral Unificada de la Biodiversidad y la Biogeografía de Steve Hubbell, basta considerar que la natalidad, mortalidad, migraciones y especiación en una comunidad, y desde la metacomunidad circundante, ocurren al azar y simétricamente entre especies, para explicar que las frecuencias relativas de la comunidad sigan una distribución lognormal. Ello es consistente con la Biogeografía de Islas, y se puede aplicar -por tanto a la articulación de abundancias relativas de especies arbóreas en bosques que se regeneran por sucesión secundaria, donde el sitio talado constituye una isla que luego es colonizada. En el sofisticado siglo XXI, conocimientos numéricos tan simples, como la normal y la lognormal, siguen siendo necesarios para mover las fronteras de la ciencia afrontando temas permanentes: por qué en tantos lugares hay especies más abundantes que otras, y cómo se puede contrarrestar la pérdida de las especies en dificultad.

Biodiversity surveys among contrasting sites get normal, and lognormal distributed data used for quantifying how Climate Change affects forests around the world. Yet most biologists are familiarized with the normal distribution, while few discuss why the lognormal distribution of relative frequencies of species is so common in many communities of living beings. We aim to add more researchers into such a discussion. Both normal and lognormal have mean and extreme values -which is consistent with the Central Limit Theorem. Such a theorem is valid when the data come from random processes, and when the sampling excercise of collecting the data has been stocastic and representative. According to Steve Hubbell's Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, random birth, death, migration and speciation in a community -and from the surrounding metacomunity are enough for generating lognormal distributions of relative frequencies of co-existing species. That is consistent with Island Biogography, and is applicable to the assembly of relative abundances of tree species during secondary succession, where the clear-cut site is an island further colonized by tree species. Deep into the sophisticated 21st century, simple numerical knowledge like the normal and lognormal are still needed for moving the borders of science by facing permanent subjects: why in so many places some species are more abundant than others, and how to tackle the loss of endangered species.

Epidemiology survey of dental fluorosis in rural area of Tianjin city / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the situation of dental fluorosis and residents awareness of dental flourosis in rural area of Tianjin, providing the basis for control of dental fluorosis prevalence level and continuous supervise of dental fluorosis prevalence.@*Methods@#The objectives were selected by stratified cluster sampling method. Health interview survey and oral examination were perfor med. @*Results @#The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 5.2% in 3-5 years children group, 68.6% in 12-14 years youth group, 64.5% in 15 years youth group, and 68.2% in 35-74 years group. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in 12-14 years group was lower than that in 2005 (χ2=21.62, P < 0.001). The community index of dental fluorosis (CFI ) was 0.1 in 3-5 years children group, 1.48 in 12-15 years youth group, 1.85 in 35-74 years old group. 47.7% students knew nothing about dental fluorosis, and 54.2% adult dental fluorosis patients did not know they were suffering from dental fluorosis. 47.4% of the subjects knew the relationship between dental fluorosis and fluoride in drinking water, and 18.8% subjects considered dental fluorosis was related with tooth cleaning. @*Conclusion @#The prevalence of dental fluorosis in 12-14 years old students was lower than 12 years old at 2005, but the increase of prevalence of dental fluorosis in 3-5 years children indicates the intake of fluorosis should be more strictly controlled. The awareness of dental fluorosis in rural area residents is poor and oral health education about fluorosis should be enhanced.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety Profiles of a Pelubi Sustained Release Tab Versus a Pelubi Tab in Patients with Chronic Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Institution Phase III Study

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, multi-institution, phase III study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Pelubi Sustained Release (SR) Tab in patients with chronic back pain, in comparison with the Pelubi Tab, whose efficacy has already been approved, a phase 3 clinical trial was conducted. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The Pelubi Tab Has shown clinical efficacy in patients with back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 11, 2014 to July 24, 2014, 166 chronic back pain patients were recruited as subjects through a multi-institution, double-blind, random sample. We compared the experimental and control groups' clinical efficacy, which was estimated by the 100-mm Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after 28 days of medication. We also compared the treatment efficacy of both drugs by using a variation of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Physician Global Assessment (PGA), with the total usage of relief medicine. The side effects and clinical pathology were also noted. RESULTS: Neither group showed a significant difference in 100-mm Pain VAS or ODI variation (p=0.1702, p=0.9041). There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in PGA or total usage of relief medicine. The ODI and PGA variation were not worse in the experimental group than the control group. The two groups showed no significant differences in side effects (p=0.9708). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the Pelubi SR Tab applied to back pain patients was not inferior to the Pelubi Tab and did not show any significant difference in terms of safety. The Pelubi SR Tab can be used with the same expectation of safety as the Pelubi Tab.

Is there a correlation between co-morbidities and initial severity score of pneumonia in patients admitted with community acquired pneumonia? – a retrospective study

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most important cause of hospitalisation in Malaysia and the 6th most important cause of mortality in patients aged 65 years and above. CAP is a lower respiratory tract infection that includes signs and symptoms like cough, fever, dyspnoea, the presence of new focal chest signs and new radiographic shadowing with no prior cause. To assist clinical judgement in deciding whether to admit the patient for in-ward treatment or otherwise, the severity of CAP is most commonly graded using the CURB-65 score as the components are more readily accessible in the Accidents and Emergency Department. We believe that cardiopulmonary diseases, immunosuppressive diseases like HIV infection or diabetes mellitus and other co-morbidities may affect the severity of CAP and are thus aspects of a patients’ history that should play a more significant role in influencing a clinician’s judgement of CAP severity. The general objective of the study is therefore to identify the relationship between co-morbidities and initial severity assessment of a patient admitted for community acquired pneumonia. The 3 specific objectives are i) to determine if presence of co-morbidities affects initial severity assessment in a patient admitted with CAP ii) To identify which co-morbidities affects initial severity assessment and iii) to determine whether having multiple co-morbidities increases initial severity assessment. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out from the month of February 2013 to July 2013 at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban (HTJS). Patients admitted to the four Medical wards – 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B – from July 2012 to December 2012 and have been diagnosed with CAP were chosen. A checklist was used as a survey instrument. Using statistical analysis, the severity of CAP in patients was compared in patients with different factors like gender, different co-morbidities and the number of co-morbidities. Results: A total of 63 patients in the control group had no co-morbidities and 54 patients were of low risk, 7 patients had moderate risk, and 2 patients had high risk CAP. Of the remaining 337 patients in the sample population, 124 patients had one co-morbidity, while 213 patients had multiple co-morbidities. Among those with a single co-morbidity, 100 patients had low risk, 19 patients had moderate risk, and 5 patients had high risk CAP. For the group with multiple co-morbidities, 135 patients had low risk, 58 patients had moderate risk, and 20 patients had high risk CAP. This study found that the presence and number of co-morbidities present in a patient affected the severity of CAP. Co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and asthma had significant correlation to the severity of CAP in patients. The gender of the patient had no significant correlation to the severity of CAP. Conclusion: The presence and number of co-morbidities present in a patient increases the severity of CAP. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and asthma are comorbidities that are prerequisites for increased caution and alert when judging the severity of CAP in patients. Comparison of patients with single and multiple comorbidities showed that patients in the latter group present with higher severity scores (p-value = 0.004).

Multiple linear regression analysis methods for complex random sampled data and their application / 军事医学

Objective To study the significance and function of the comprehensive weight in multiple linear regression analysis of complex random sampled data .Methods Based on the concept of Monte Carlo random simulation , two different multiple linear regression analysis procedures in SAS-REG and SURVEYREG were used to perform regression modeling for the same batch of complex random sampled data ( n=6756 ) at different random sampling proportions .The results were compared.Results In the results of the fitting multiple linear regression model when observation weight and sampling weight were considered or not , it was found that the size of the partial regression coefficient , standard error and P value of independent variables varied .Conclusion In complex random sampled data based on different proportions ,especially in regression modeling of stratified random sampling survey information , the multiple linear regression model makes it possible to more accurately and sensitively perform parameter estimates of regression coefficients and statistical prediction of outcome variables if the comprehensive weight of the survey data is incorporated into the statistical analysis .

Role of Statistics in Multidisciplinary Research – With Reference to Psychological Research.

Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data. It is usually noticed that some routine words are given technical meanings in statistical parlance (e.g. “mean,” “normal,” “significance,” “effect,” and “power”). It is essential to resist the temptation of conflating their technical meanings. A failure to do so may have a lot to do with the ready acceptance of the “effect size” and “power” arguments in recent years. As, statistics is used (i) to describe data in terms of the shape, central tendency, and dispersion of their simple frequency distribution, and (ii) to make decisions about the properties of the statistical populations on the basis of sample statistics. Statistical decisions are made with reference to a body of theoretical distributions: the distributions of various test statistics that are in turn derived from the appropriate sample statistics. In every case, the calculated test statistic is compared to the theoretical distribution, which is made up of an infinite number of tokens of the test statistic in question. Hence, the “in the long run” caution should be made explicit in every probabilistic statement based on inferential statistics (e.g. “the result is significant at the 0.05 level in the long run”).Despite the recent movement to discourage psychologists from conducting significance tests, significance tests can be defended by (i) clarifying some concepts, (ii) examining the role of statistics in empirical research, and (iii) showing that the sampling distribution of the test statistic is both the bridge between descriptive and inferential statistics and the probability foundation of significance tests. The present paper discusses the critical issues of statistics in psychological research.

A study on rural & urban differences in tobacco use and its socio-demographic determinants in district Dehradun.

Background: Today, tobacco use causes 1 in 10 deaths among adults worldwide – more than five million people a year. By 2030, unless urgent action is taken, tobacco’s annual death toll will rise to more than eight million. Material & method: A community based cross sectional study was undertaken in district Dehradun. Multistage stratified random sampling was done for selection of study area. A sample of 632 was taken for study purpose. Kish method was used for selection of respondents in selected household. Statistical analysis: Chi-square test, Mantel Haenszel Odds Ratio and Multi Variate Logistic Regression Analysis was done to develop results. Significant level was assumed at p<0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of ever use of tobacco was 24.4%. It was more (32.9%) in rural area as compare to urban area (15.8%). Tobacco use was directly proportional to age, more prevalent in Muslims and was indirectly proportional to education & socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Legislation pertaining to tobacco and alcohol sale and use does exist. However its strict enforcement is required in order to reduce the menace.

Research in the correlation of job satisfaction, job performance and career plateau in senior health technical personnel / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the current situation and the relationship of job satisfaction,job performance and career plateau in senior health technical personnel.Methods The career plateau questionnaire,job satisfaction scale,job performance scale were adopted to carry out the questionnaire survey among 410 senior health technical personnel in Wanzhou district of Chongqing.The results underwent statistical description,correlation analysis and regression analysis.Results Senior health technical personnel's career plateau score was 2～5 points,with an average of (3.26±0.58) points,job satisfaction score was 20～60 points,with an average of (44.81±11.46) points,job performance score was 20～75 points,with an average of (35.79 ± 9.55) points.The score of career plateau was significantly negatively correlated with job satisfaction,and was significantly negatively correlated with job performance.The content of plateau was a factor affecting job satisfaction,and the content and the level of plateau were influencing factors of job performance.Conclusions Career plateau in senior health technical personnel was in a moderate level,while job satisfaction and job performance were relatively low.Hospital managers should take in occupation development assistance strategy and reduce negative influence of career plateau to improve job satisfaction and job performance in senior health technical personnel.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding acute respiratory infection (ARI) in urban and rural communities of Ahmedabad District, Gujarat.

Background: Acute respiratory tract infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and also developed countries. About 13 Million under 5 children dies every year in the world, 95% of them in developing countries, one third of total deaths are due to acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) 1. Objective: To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in urban and rural communities of Ahmadabad district. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was covering 500 mothers living in urban (five zone) and rural (five primary health centre (PHC) of sanand taluka) area of Ahmedabad district from September 2008 to March 2009. Results: Questionnaire regarding knowledge revealed that 35.2% of mothers preferred private set up as a place of choice for treatment (more in urban area 58.4%). 71.4% of mothers preferred allopathy as a choice of type of treatment. 40.8% of mothers rated diseases as serious (more in urban area 54.4%). 50.8% mothers were illiterate (70% in rural area) and 70.4% mothers were housewives. Conclusion: The study strongly towards the low utilization of basic health services in government set up, lack of mother’s education especially in prevention and control of ARI.Health education can change health care seeking behaviors and attitude of parents and other family members to take care of the ARI child during illness.

Access to public dental care facilities in Chandigarh.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the level of dental health care access and associated factors, at various public health facilities in the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh. Materials and Methods: A study was done using a multistage random sampling technique, to interview adult respondents at their homes and to interview the dentists in the public dental clinics and hospitals. Results: The mean composite access score was 59.2 (SD 18.9) in urban areas and 60.5 (SD 20.9) in rural areas (P=0.64) on a scale of 100. The mean score for the self-perceived condition of their oral health was 6.47 (95% CI 6.17 - 6.76). Thirty-four percent of the respondents did not contact a dentist despite having a problem in the last year, primarily because dental problems were not important for them (45%), they lacked time (22%), and took self-medication (16%). Overall 58% of the respondents suggested government clinics and 44% liked private dentists for treatment of dental cavities. The government setup was preferred because the facilities were cheaper and affordable. Conclusions: Dental health care access and only limited dental facilities were available in most of the dental clinics in Chandigarh. Self-reported dental problem was low, and people ignored their dental problems.

Comparison The Safety and The Efficacy between the Group of using Pelubiprofen Tab. and the Group of using Aceclofenac Tab. on Back Pain Patients: Multi Institution, Double Blind, Random Sample

STUDY DESIGN: Multi institution, double blind, random sample. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a comparative study with Aceclofenac Tab, which is widely used in the clinical field in order to observe the Pelubiprofen Tab's clinical efficiency in patients with back pain. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Among the numerous literatures regarding the chronic back pain, there is are few studies with Pelubiprofen Tab's clinical efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We computed an experimental model through a case control study, practiced from January, 2010 to January, 2011, and thereby, 298 back pain patients were selected. This study was conducted through a multi institution, double blind, and random sample. We compared the experimental and control groups' clinical efficiency that was estimated by VAS after 28 days of medication. Also, we compared the treatment efficiency of both drugs by using a variation of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Physician's Global assessment, with a total usage of relief medicine. Also, the side effect and clinical pathologic result were tested. Statistical analysis was done with three different methods, Safety method, ITT (Intent-To-Treat), and PP (Per Protocol). Logistic regression model was used, and this result was compared by a Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test. RESULTS: Comparing the VAS of both groups, VAS decreased with statistical significance. Both groups didn't show a significant difference in VAS (p=0.6764). As the decrement of the total dosage of relief medicine, the decrease in the control group was rather higher, but the difference didn't show any statistical significance (p=0.9955). The experimental group was not inferior than that of the control group in ODI and PGA variation. Analyzing the side effect, both groups didn't show any significant difference (p=0.9843). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the clinical trial, Pelubiprofen Tab. applied to back pain patients was not inferior to that of aceclofenac Tab., in terms of efficiency, and didn't show any significant difference in safety.

Application of a simple random sampling method on surveys at the community level / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the feasibility of a simple random sampling on surveys at the community level and to evaluate the quality of samples under survey.Methods A simple random sample of households was taken,based on the electronic listings of community households from Gongshu and Xiacheng districts of Hangzhou city.One of the adults aged 18 to 64 years in the sampled households was identified with KISH method to finish a questionnaire survey.More than 500 people from the sample size was required in each district.Results Of 950 sampled households in Xiacheng district,511 (53.8%) finished the survey while 506 (36.7%) out of the 1380 sampled households in Gongshu district did.The proportions of non-response due to the following reasons as:none with eligible age in the households,relocation of the original household,mass relocation of the community,and errors in the household listings etc.were 38.3% and 43.5% respectively,in the two districts.Proportions attributed to non-response and refusal to response of sampled household or individual were 8.0% and 19.9% respectively.No statistical significant differences in age and gender were found between the surveyed samples and the population in the sampled households,or in gender between the populations in the sampled households and in Hangzhou city.However,the population in the sampled households showed a more aging population structure than the population in Hangzhou city.Conclusion In a geographically limited area,using a simple random sampling method to do the survey is feasible,based on the electronic listings of household.Enough time spent during the household visit guarantees the interviewers to get a representative sample of the sampling frame.There is an urgent need for the timeliness,completeness and accuracy of electronic household listings to be improved.