Assessment 4: Major Written Assessment Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Learning Outcomes (SILOs)

1. SILO 1: Comprehend the fundamental principles of epidemiology and biostatistics.

2. SILO 2: Explain how the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics can be applied in public health.

3. SILO 3: Explain, differentiate, and apply fundamental concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics.

4. SILO 5: Recognise, generate, interpret, and communicate descriptive and basic inferential statistics.

Task Details

Students are required to prepare a written briefing document using the provided dataset to identify demographic, social, and behavioural factors associated with routine check-up attendance.

The assessment involves analysing data, reporting statistical results, and producing recommendations for targeted public health campaigns.

Assessment Criteria

Your submission will be evaluated on your ability to:

• Write an effective executive summary identifying key messages (25%).

• Summarise the BRFSS study design, its limitations, and compare it with a peer-reviewed paper (10%).

• Describe the population (20%).

• Examine associations between four social/behavioural factors and routine check-up attendance (40%).

• Format and organise the written assignment appropriately (5%).

Refer to the Assessment 4: Marking Criteria and Rubric for detailed guidance on marking and feedback.

Scenario

Preventative health care is becoming increasingly common as individuals become more informed about their health. Regular, routine medical check-ups facilitate early detection of health issues, improving treatment outcomes and reducing complications.

You are part of a public health campaign to increase routine 12-monthly check-ups. Your role is to analyse BRFSS data to:

• Identify demographic, social, and behavioural factors associated with attendance.

• Highlight groups with lower attendance rates for targeted interventions.

Dataset Overview: BRFSS

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a collaborative system of ongoing telephone surveys in all US states and participating territories, coordinated by the CDC.

Purpose: To collect data on health-related risk behaviours, chronic health conditions, and preventive service use among non-institutionalised adults (≥18 years) in the US.

Instructions: Analyse the provided BRFSS subset and report on factors associated with routine check-up attendance.

Format

1. Executive Summary

• Identify demographic, social, and behavioural factors associated with routine check-up attendance.

• Present findings in a clear and concise manner suitable for readers with minimal epidemiology knowledge.

• Highlight populations for targeted campaigns.

2. Results Section

2.1 The BRFSS Study Design and Limitations (≤250 words – 6%)

• Provide a brief summary of the BRFSS design.

• Discuss limitations such as self-reported data, non-response bias, and coverage limitations.

2.2 Comparison with a Peer-Reviewed Paper (≤150 words – 4%)

• Identify a peer-reviewed study that investigates determinants of routine check-up attendance.

• Compare the study design with BRFSS: methodology, sampling, and data collection.

• Avoid literature reviews or papers that reanalyse BRFSS data.

2.3 Description of the Population and Analysis (≤1350 words – 55%)

Step 1: Routine Check-Up Attendance Percentage (5%)

• Report the proportion of participants who attended a routine check-up.

Step 2: Demographic Factors Table (15%)

• Include three demographic variables:

  1. Binary (e.g., sex)

  2. Numerical (e.g., age)

  3. Multi-category categorical (nominal/ordinal, e.g., education level)

• Each cell: summary measure + 95% CI.

• Final column: p-value with footnotes indicating statistical tests.

Step 3: Association Between Four Social/Behavioural Factors and Check-Up Attendance (20%)

• Analyse one binary, one numeric, one nominal, and one ordinal variable.

• Report for each factor:

  • Variable name and data type

  • Measure calculated

  • Statistical results

  • Interpretation

  • STATA output including visible code

Step 4: Confounding or Effect Modification Analysis (10%)

• For one factor, examine confounding or effect modification by sex.

• Present analysis, STATA output, table, and interpretation.

Step 5: Multivariable Regression Analysis (10%)

• Include all four factors in a regression model.

• Present STATA output, tables, and interpret results.

Resources and Readings

• BRFSS Dataset: Access via main Assessment 4 page.

• Assessment 4 Template: Provided on LMS.

• BRFSS methodological information: CDC resources.

Submission Guidelines

• Submit Word document for report and STATA outputs.

• Ensure file generates a similarity score in Turnitin.

• Adhere to La Trobe University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity.

Tips for Success

• Ensure executive summary is clear, concise, and actionable.

• Provide tables and figures with appropriate statistical measures.

• Conduct analyses using correct descriptive and inferential statistics.

• Interpret results accurately and link to public health implications.

• Format the report clearly with headings, subheadings, tables, and footnotes.

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

Assessment 4 requires students to prepare a written briefing document using the BRFSS dataset to identify demographic, social, and behavioural factors associated with routine check-up attendance. This involves:

• Producing a 250-word executive summary highlighting key findings and groups for targeted interventions.

• Summarising the BRFSS study design, its limitations, and comparing it with a peer-reviewed paper.

• Describing the population characteristics and performing statistical analyses.

• Analysing associations between four social/behavioural factors (binary, numeric, nominal, ordinal) and routine check-ups.

• Conducting confounding/effect modification analysis and multivariable regression.

• Presenting results clearly in tables, STATA outputs, and interpretations.

• Adhering to academic integrity, proper formatting, and Turnitin submission.

Key pointers to cover:

1. Clear and concise executive summary.

2. Evidence-based description of BRFSS and study comparison.

3. Population overview with summary measures and 95% confidence intervals.

4. Statistical tests, associations, confounding/effect modification, and regression analysis.

5. Accurate interpretations linked to public health implications.

6. Professional report formatting with headings, subheadings, tables, footnotes.

Step-by-Step Approach by Academic Mentor

Step 1: Executive Summary

• Mentor guidance: Start by reviewing the dataset to identify key trends in check-up attendance.

• Summarise findings clearly and concisely for decision-makers with minimal statistical knowledge.

• Highlight the population groups that have lower attendance and could benefit from targeted campaigns.

Step 2: BRFSS Study Design and Limitations

• Mentor guidance: Explain BRFSS as a collaborative telephone survey collecting health-related risk behaviours and preventive service data.

• Discuss limitations like self-report bias, non-response bias, and coverage issues.

• Compare with a peer-reviewed study investigating routine check-up determinants, focusing on methodology, sampling, and data collection differences.

Step 3: Population Description and Analysis

• Step 3a – Routine Check-Up Attendance: Calculate the percentage of participants attending routine check-ups.

• Step 3b – Demographic Factors Table: Include three variables (binary, numeric, multi-category categorical). Present summary measures, 95% CIs, and p-values, with footnotes indicating statistical tests.

Step 4: Social/Behavioural Factor Analysis

• Analyse one binary, numeric, nominal, and ordinal factor each.

• Present variable name, data type, statistical measures, results, and interpretation.

• Include STATA outputs with visible code for transparency.

Step 5: Confounding/Effect Modification

• For one factor, investigate sex as a confounder or effect modifier.

• Report findings in a table with STATA output and interpret results in plain language.

Step 6: Multivariable Regression

• Include all four factors in a regression model.

• Present adjusted results, tables, STATA outputs, and interpretation to show the independent effect of each factor on check-up attendance.

Outcome Achieved

By following this structured approach:

• The executive summary provides decision-makers with actionable insights.

• The BRFSS overview and peer-reviewed comparison establish a clear methodological context.

• Statistical analysis identifies key demographic and behavioural factors, including confounding/effect modification.

• Multivariable regression provides a comprehensive picture of independent associations.

• The report demonstrates clear communication, professional formatting, and evidence-based recommendations.

Learning Objectives Covered

• SILO 1: Applied fundamental epidemiology and biostatistics principles.

• SILO 2: Used epidemiological principles to interpret population health data.

• SILO 3: Differentiated between variable types and applied appropriate statistical methods.

• SILO 5: Generated, interpreted, and communicated descriptive and inferential statistics effectively.

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