For the following name the unit of analysis and identify the study design (ecolo
ID: 2930611 • Letter: F
Question
For the following name the unit of analysis and identify the study design (ecologic, cross-sectional, case-control, historical cohort or prospective cohort study).
a) Incidence rates of pediatric tuberculosis were compared across census tracts in the State of California. Those census tracts with lower median incomes, higher percentages of racial/ethnic minorities and higher percentages of immigrants also had higher incidence rates of pediatric tuberculosis.
b) A study was conducted to determine what characteristics might be associated with adolescents’ reports of keeping firearms in their homes. A random sample of households in California resulted in a sample of 5,810 adolescents, who were interviewed by telephone on the presence of firearms in their homes, and a list of other factors that might be associated with keeping a firearm.
c) Birth certificate files were linked to death certificates. It was discovered that infants born weighing less than 2500 grams were more likely to die of cardiovascular disease before the age of 65, than were heavier infants.
d) Data on history of kidney stones was obtained by telephone interview from 548 hospital patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and 514 other people without renal disease matched for age, race and gender to the patients.
e) Incidences rates of gonorrhea and rates of premature death before age 65 were correlated with a high percentage of boarded up houses in 107 U.S. cities.
Explanation / Answer
a)
Unit of analysis: Population of state of California
Study Design: Ecological
b)
Unit of analysis: Adolescents
Study Design: Prospective cohort study
c)
Unit of analysis: Infants
Study Design: Historical Cohort Study
d)
Unit of analysis: Patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease
Study Design: Case-control Study
e)
Unit of analysis: Patients diagnosed with gonorrhea
Study Design: Cross-sectional Study