Estimating Intracluster Correlation for Perinatal Outcomes in Community Trials
Author Information
Author(s): Christina Pagel, Audrey Prost, Sonia Lewycka, Sushmita Das, Tim Colbourn, Rajendra Mahapatra, Kishwar Azad, Anthony Costello, David Osrin
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
Estimates of intracluster correlation for perinatal health outcomes from community-based trials will differ from those derived from hospital-based studies.
Conclusion
The study provides a range of intracluster correlation estimates that will assist researchers in planning future community-based public health interventions for maternal and newborn health.
Supporting Evidence
- Estimates of intracluster correlation for mortality outcomes were lower than those for process outcomes.
- Stratified randomisation reduced estimates of intracluster correlation.
- Estimates for maternal mortality were particularly variable with large confidence intervals.
- Community-based trials provided different ICC estimates compared to hospital-based studies.
- Simulation exercises showed that cluster size impacts the reliability of ICC estimates.
Takeaway
This study looked at how similar health outcomes are for mothers and babies living in the same area, which helps researchers plan better health programs.
Methodology
The study estimated intracluster correlation and coefficient of variation using data from five community-based cluster-randomised controlled trials in India, Bangladesh, and Malawi.
Potential Biases
Different reporting preferences in clusters and variations in data collection quality could introduce bias.
Limitations
The study drew upon heterogeneous trials with different cluster recruitment strategies and degrees of stratification, which may affect the reliability of ICC estimates.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from low and middle-income countries, specifically rural and urban areas in India, Bangladesh, and Malawi.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI provided for ICC estimates.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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