MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions

Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application

Chapter 6 Solutions to Problems

1. A study is run to estimate the mean total cholesterol level in children 2-6 years of age. A
sample of 9 participants is selected and their total cholesterol levels are measured as
follows.

185 225 240 196 175 180 194 147 223

Generate a 95% confidence interval for the true mean total cholesterol levels in adults
with a history of hypertension.

X X2
185 34,225
225 50,625
240 57,600
196 38,416
175 30,625
180 32,400
194 37,636
147 21,609
223 49,729
1,765 352,865

ΣX 1,765
X̄ = = =196 . 1
n 9

s=
√
ΣX 2−(ΣX2 )/n
n−1
=
√
352,865−(1,765 )2 /9
8
=
√ 8
s
=
√
352,865−346,136 . 1 6728 . 89
8
= √ 841 . 1=29 .0

X̄ ±t
√n , df = n – 1 = 9 – 1 = 8
For 95% confidence, t = 2.306
s
X̄ ±t
√n
29 . 0
196 .1±(2.306 )
√9
196.1 + 22.29

(173.8, 218.4)

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MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions
Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application

3. The main trial is conducted and involves a total of 200 patients. Patients are enrolled and
randomized to receive either the experimental medication or the placebo. The data
shown below are data collected at the end of the study after 6 weeks on the assigned
treatment.

Experimental Placebo (n=100)

(n=100)
Mean (Std Dev) Systolic Blood Pressure 120.2 (15.4) 131.4 (18.9)
% Hypertensive 14% 22%
% With Side Effects 6% 8%

a. Generate a 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean systolic blood pressures
between groups.

Check s1 /s2 = 15.4 /18.9 =0.66

2 2 2 2
( X̄ 1 - { X̄ 2 )± ZSp
√ 1 1
+ ¿
n1 n 2

Sp=
√
( n1 −1) s 21 +( n2 −1)s 22
n1 + n2 −2

Sp=
√
(100−1 )15 . 4 2 +(100-1 )18. 92
100+100−2

Sp=√ 297.19 =17.2

(120.2 - 131.4)± 1.960 (17 .2)

√ 1
+
1
100 100 .

-11.2 + 4.77

(-16.0, -6.4)

4. The following data are collected as part of a study of coffee consumption among
undergraduate students. The following reflect cups per day consumed:

3 4 6 8 2 1 0 2

X X2
3 9
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MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions
Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application
4 16
6 36
8 64
2 4
1 1
0 0
2 4
26 134

a. Compute the sample mean

ΣX 26
X̄ = = =3. 3
n 8
b. Compute the sample standard deviation

s=
√
ΣX 2−(ΣX2 ) /n
n−1
=
√
134−(26 )2 /8
7
=
134−84 . 5
7 √
= √7 . 07=2. 7

c. Construct a 95% confidence interval for the mean number of cups of coffee consumed
among all undergraduates.
s
X̄ ±t
√n , df = n – 1 = 8 – 1 = 7
For 95% confidence, t = 2.365
s
X̄ ±t
√n
2 .7
3.3±(2 .365)
√8
3.3 + 2.26

(1.0, 5.6)

8. The following table displays descriptive statistics on the participants involved in a study.

Characteristic Experimental Medication Placebo

(n=100) (n=100)
Mean (SD) Age, years 47.2 (4.3) 46.1 (5.1)
% Males 46% 58%
Mean (SD) Educational Level, years 13.1 (2.9) 14.2 (3.1)
Mean (SD) Annual Income, $000s $36.560 ($1,054) $37.470 ($998)
Mean Body Mass Index 24.7 (2.7) 25.1 (2.4)

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MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions
Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application

a. Generate a 95% confidence interval for the mean age among participants assigned to the
placebo.
s
X̄ ±Z
√n
5 .1
46 . 1±(1 .960)
√100
46.1 + 0.999

(45.1, 47.1)

b. Generate a 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean ages in participants
assigned to the experimental versus the placebo groups.

Check s1 /s2 = 4.3 /5.1 =0.71

2 2 2 2
( X̄ 1 - { X̄ 2 )± ZSp
√ 1 1
+ ¿
n1 n 2

Sp=
√
( n1 −1) s 21 +( n2 −1)s 22
n1 + n2 −2

Sp=
√
(100−1 )4 . 32 +(100-1 )5. 12
100+100−2
= √22 .25=4 .72

(47.2 - 46.1 )± 1 .960 (4 . 72)

√ 1 1
+
100 100 .

1.1 + 1.31

(-0.21, 2.41)

c. Generate a 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean body mass index in
participants assigned to the experimental versus the placebo groups.

Check s1 /s2 = 2.7 /2.4 =1.26

2 2 2 2
( X̄ 1 - { X̄ 2 )± ZSp
√ 1 1
+ ¿
n1 n 2

Sp=
√
( n1 −1) s 21 +( n2 −1)s 22
n1 + n2 −2

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MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions
Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application

Sp=
√
(100−1 )2 . 72 +(100-1)2. 4 2
100+100−2
= √ 6 . 52=2 .55

(24 .7 -25 .1 )± 1. 960(2 .55)

√ 1 1
+
100 100 .

-0.4 + 0.71

(-1.11, 0.31)

9. A crossover trial is conducted to compare an experimental medication for migraine

headaches to a currently available medication. A total of 50 patients are enrolled in the
study and each patient receives both treatments. The outcome is the time, in minutes,
until the headache pain resolves. Following each treatment, patients record the time it
takes until pain is resolved. Treatments are assigned in random order (i.e., some patients
receive the currently available medication first and then the experimental medication and
others receive the experimental medication first and then the currently available
medication). The mean difference in times between the experimental and currently
available medication is -9.4 minutes, with a standard deviation of 2.8 minutes. Construct
a 95% confidence interval for the mean difference in times between the experimental and
currently available medication.

sd
X̄ d ±Z
√n
2. 8
-9.4±(1 . 960)
√50
-9.4 + 0.78

(-10.2, -8.6)

14. A clinical trial is run to assess the efficacy of a new pacemaker device in patients with atrial
fibrillation (AF). Two hundred participants are randomized to receive the new pacemaker
or a currently available pacemaker. There are two primary outcomes of interest – the
number of days in a three month period with an atrial fibrillation event and hospitalization
for atrial fibrillation over the three month follow-up period. Data on baseline characteristics
and the outcomes are shown below.

Baseline Characteristics New Pacemaker Available Pacemaker

(n=100) (n=100)
Mean (SD) Age, years 67.3 (5.9) 66.9 (5.6)
% Male 48% 52%

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MPH501 Module 4 Assignment Solutions
Quantitative Methods for Pub Health Application

Outcomes
Mean (SD) Number of days with AF 8.4 (3.2) 14.9 (3.9)
event
% Hospitalized for AF 4% 9%

a. Compute a 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean number of days with
an AF event between participants receiving the new pacemaker as compared to the
available pacemaker.

Check s1 /s2 = 3.2 /3.9 = 0.67

2 2 2 2
( X̄ 1 - { X̄ 2 )± ZSp
√ 1 1
+ ¿
n1 n 2

Sp=
√
(n1 −1)s 21 +(n2 −1)s 22
n1 + n2 −2

Sp=
√
(100−1 )3 . 22 +(100-1 )3. 9 2
100+100−2
=√ 12. 73=3 . 56

(8 . 4-14.9 )± 1.960(3 .56)

√ 1
+
1
100 100 .

-6.5 + 0.99

(-7.49, -5.51)

b. Compute a 95% confidence interval for the mean number of days with an AF event
among participants receiving the new pacemaker.

s
X̄ ±Z
√n
3.2
8 .4±(1 .960 )
√ 100
8.4 + 0.63

(7.77, 9.03)

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