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Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 17316

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fakir M. Amirul Islam

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
Interests: epidemiology; public health; biostatistics; chronic diseases including mental health; diabetes; hypertensions and diabetes-related complications, such as diabetic retinopathy and cardiovascular diseases; health-related data modelling, including the use of Rasch analysis for scale development and validation
Dr. Zuhair Natto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Interests: genetic epidemiology; infectious epidemiology; statistical genetics; cancer epidemiology; smokeless tobacco; clinical trials in periodontology and implant dentistry; quality of systematic reviews; and meta-analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are seeking submissions for a Special Issue of  Applied Sciences on the topic of “Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology”, dedicated to the application of advanced biostatistical methods and development and advancement of statistical methods in the broad area of public health, biomedical sciences and epidemiology.

The aim of this Special Issue is to stimulate and disseminate information related to the application and development of statistical techniques in the wider area of public health to improve effectiveness and competence of public health interventions, and thus, the overall health outcome of populations worldwide. Public health and epidemiology have a long history of applying statistical methods to investigate critical health-related issues, including disease control, risk prediction, and health awareness, and many revolutions in statistical procedure have ascended from these disciplines. Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes scientific articles relevant to global public health from different countries and cultures, to assemble an issue that raises awareness and understanding of public health problems, through the evaluation of real-life data using modern statistical methods.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions of original research in the following areas:

  • Health-related data modelling from survey and epidemiological studies;
  • Statistical techniques, their development and progression;
  • Public health, health economics and health education;
  • Chronic diseases,including diabetes, hypertension and mental health; 
  • Visual impairment;
  • Heath technology;
  • Infectious diseases;
  • Cardiovascular disease;
  • Biomedical research.

Dr. Fakir M. Amirul Islam
Dr. Zuhair Natto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • statistical methodology
  • public health
  • biostatistics
  • epidemiology
  • chronic diseases
  • infectious diseases
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • health literacy and health education

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 375 KiB  
Article
Using the Weibull Accelerated Failure Time Regression Model to Predict Time to Health Events
by Enwu Liu, Ryan Yan Liu and Karen Lim
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(24), 13041; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132413041 - 6 Dec 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4092
Abstract
Clinical prediction models are commonly utilized in clinical practice to screen high-risk patients. This enables healthcare professionals to initiate interventions aimed at delaying or preventing adverse medical events. Nevertheless, the majority of these models focus on calculating probabilities or risk scores for medical [...] Read more.
Clinical prediction models are commonly utilized in clinical practice to screen high-risk patients. This enables healthcare professionals to initiate interventions aimed at delaying or preventing adverse medical events. Nevertheless, the majority of these models focus on calculating probabilities or risk scores for medical events. This information can pose challenges for patients to comprehend, potentially causing delays in their treatment decision-making process. Our paper presents a statistical methodology and protocol for the utilization of a Weibull accelerated failure time (AFT) model in predicting the time until a health-related event occurs. While this prediction technique is widely employed in engineering reliability studies, it is rarely applied to medical predictions, particularly in the context of predicting survival time. Furthermore, we offer a practical demonstration of the implementation of this prediction method using a publicly available dataset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)
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15 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Factors Associated with Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Use, Intention to Quit, and the Number of Cigarettes Smoked among Adults with High Blood Pressure in a Rural District of Bangladesh
by Fakir M. Amirul Islam and Joanne Williams
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5355; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095355 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2256
Abstract
The current research is an initial investigation aimed at reporting the factors associated with smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco (SLT) use, the number of cigarettes smoked, and the intention to quit smoking. A total of 307 adults aged 30 to 75 years with high [...] Read more.
The current research is an initial investigation aimed at reporting the factors associated with smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco (SLT) use, the number of cigarettes smoked, and the intention to quit smoking. A total of 307 adults aged 30 to 75 years with high blood pressure were recruited as part of a cluster RCT from a rural area in Bangladesh. The outcome variables included the number of cigarettes smoked per day, intentions to quit smoking, and SLT use. We used Rasch analysis and regression analysis. A low level of education and older age were associated with smoking tobacco and SLT use, respectively. The 62 smokers smoked 9.6 cigarettes or bidi on average per day, and 54 (87%) knew that smoking was associated with cancer. Overall, 41.6% of farmers compared to 58.9% of employees and 53% of people with no education compared to 75% of people with a higher education intended to quit smoking and SLT use. Our research contributes to the evidence that increasing education increases the intention to quit smoking and identifies population groups that could benefit from targeted public health campaigns. Health education programs are needed to increase motivation to quit smoking, especially among farmers, and to reduce SLT use among women and elderly people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)
12 pages, 1243 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of Healthy Eating Scale for Patients with Pre-Diabetes Using Rasch Analysis
by Kerry Anne de Vent, Nguyen Hoang Nguyen Do and Fakir M. Amirul Islam
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2050; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042050 - 4 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1871
Abstract
Consumption of a healthy diet is required to manage blood glucose level in people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The aim of this study was to test the internal validity of healthy eating habits assessed using a self-reported scale, the Rapid Eating Assessment for [...] Read more.
Consumption of a healthy diet is required to manage blood glucose level in people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The aim of this study was to test the internal validity of healthy eating habits assessed using a self-reported scale, the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP) scale, in participants with pre-diabetes. The scale had 15 items with 4 categories: “Never”, “Rarely”, “Some days” and “Usually/most days”. Those items were administered to 119 participants from 2006 to 2008 in Victoria, Australia. Rasch analysis was applied using RUMM2030 software. Overall fit was adequate in the unaltered model (χ2 = 29.29, p = 0.500, person separation index (PSI) = 0.500), however, seven items had disordered thresholds which were remedied by collapsing “Rarely” with “Some days” (χ2 = 37.36, p = 0.166, psi = 0.550). Item 1 (“Eat 3 main meals”) remained disordered after collapsing. Two persons were removed due to their fit residuals being outside ±2.5, however, these deletions did not improve the fit, so it was decided to retain these persons in the scale. Overall, there was no significant differential item functioning (DIF) or local dependency. However, there was evidence of multidimensionality and a ceiling effect toward healthy eating in the person item threshold. The results from Rasch analysis showed that the current scale needs some improvement, such as addressing disordered thresholds, for measuring eating habits for people with pre-diabetes. A modified version with middle categories collapsed would provide a psychometrically more robust measure. Further study is needed to validate the scale as a screening tool for measuring healthy eating among people with pre-diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)
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15 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Perception of and Practice in Salt and Fruit Consumption and Their Associations with High Blood Pressure: A Study in a Rural Area in Bangladesh
by Fakir M. Amirul Islam, Carrie K. Wong, Mohammad Arzan Hosen and Jahar Bhowmik
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1622; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031622 - 27 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2140
Abstract
Background: Minimizing raw salt and increasing fruit consumption are important factors for controlling blood pressure. The study aimed to investigate the following associations: (i) the association between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of, and attitudes towards, raw salt and fruit consumption and (ii) the [...] Read more.
Background: Minimizing raw salt and increasing fruit consumption are important factors for controlling blood pressure. The study aimed to investigate the following associations: (i) the association between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of, and attitudes towards, raw salt and fruit consumption and (ii) the association between salt and fruit consumption and blood pressure. Methods: In a cluster-RCT, 307 adults, aged 30 to 75 years, with hypertension were recruited in 2021. Blood pressure was the primary outcome, and knowledge, attitudes and intakes of raw salt and fruit were secondary outcomes. Results: Of the participants, 271 (78.5%) consumed raw salt. More than 80% of the participants knew that reduced raw salt was good for controlling blood pressure and almost everyone knew that fruits and vegetables were good for health. Despite this, 95% of the participants had a habit of eating fruit irregularly. A lower proportion (64%) of the participants having at least a secondary school certificate (SSC) consumed raw salt, compared with those having an education level SSC (82%), p = 0.002. Blood pressure was not significantly different for participants, irrespective of raw salt or fruit consumption. Conclusions: Raw salt consumption among rural people was high and regular fruit consumption was deficient. They intended to reduce raw salt consumption. Appropriate intervention programs should be implemented to reduce salt consumption and increase fruit consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)
9 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Sociodemographic Factors and Depression in Australian Population Aged 16–85 Years
by Ty Felmingham and Fakir M. Amirul Islam
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(24), 12685; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412685 - 11 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2803
Abstract
Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depressive disorder. The current study aimed to investigate the association of sociodemographic factors with depression from the Australian national survey data. The analysis utilized the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and [...] Read more.
Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depressive disorder. The current study aimed to investigate the association of sociodemographic factors with depression from the Australian national survey data. The analysis utilized the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing data upon 8841 participants aged 16 to 85 years. The outcome measures were lifetime depression and depression symptoms in the 12 months prior to the survey. Analytical techniques included binary logistic regression technique. The prevalence of lifetime depression was 15.2% (18.2% in females vs. 11.5% in males, p < 0.001) and a 12-month depression was 6.1% (7.4% in females vs. 4.5% in males, p < 0.001). For every year increase of age, there was a 1% decrease in the odds of lifetime depression and a 2% decrease of 12-month depression. There was a 20% less chance for lifetime depression and 33% less chance for 12-month depression for the fifth quintile compared to the first quintile of household income. Level of education was not significant. Depression is more common in younger aged people in Australian population, and significantly higher among females, and in people with low socioeconomic status. Appropriate intervention programs need to be conducted among this specific group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)

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11 pages, 524 KiB  
Review
An Overview of Japanese Encephalitis in Australia: Trends, Impact and Interventions
by Faith A. A. Kwa, Evie Kendal and Junhua Xiao
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(16), 9184; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13169184 - 12 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is caused by infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). This vector-borne disease has been listed as a nationally notifiable public health risk in various countries. Predominantly found in Southeast Asia, JE can result in long-term neurological and psychiatric sequelae [...] Read more.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is caused by infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). This vector-borne disease has been listed as a nationally notifiable public health risk in various countries. Predominantly found in Southeast Asia, JE can result in long-term neurological and psychiatric sequelae in both adults and children and is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in this region. Globally, there are an estimated 100,000 cases of JE and 25,000 associated deaths per year. Despite the significant effort to stop JE transmission through implementing vaccination programmes, JEV infection continues to be a global problem, with recent outbreaks in several countries, including outside of Asia. This raises a public health alert and establishes a need for future surveillance. Here, we reviewed the recent JE epidemic in Australia, focusing on its trends, impact and intervention. We recommend that a collaborative research effort together with a globally unified disease control strategy is urgently required to improve our understanding of JEV transmission and surveillance and to be better prepared for future outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Biostatistics for Health Science and Epidemiology)
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