Statistical Evaluation of Two Medical Databases

Document from the year 2013 in the subject Medicine - Medical Frontiers and Special Areas, language: English, abstract: Although statistics is not always a popular subject, perhaps because it relies heavily upon mathematics, statistical skills are necessary to anyone intending to practice medicine or engage in health-related research or in medical care service delivery. Covering every step of some of the most commonly used data analysis techniques, this book offers a road map and strategies to adopt when medical students, doctors, or other health professionals face challenges in handling and analyzing clinical or survey data - from preliminary evaluations of the databases in question to how to effectively interpret the results. The book is divided into two sections, each is packed with distinct perspective on the database assessed, taking the reader through the process of developing answerable and relevant research questions and their corresponding hypotheses. Using SPSS, chapters 1-5 analyze data derived from a noise-testing scores database by presenting descriptive statistics and statistical hypothesis testing, including potential templates for presenting overviews of the study designs, guidance on how to choose appropriate tests, ways to understand their assumptions, guidelines on how to correctly check them, and which limitations are important to consider. In chapters 6-9, another set of statistical analyses are carried out utilizing data derived from the Ugandan database, which provides records of the perception of chances of getting AIDS among Ugandan women. The effects of region, place of residence, and condom-use on ages at first marriage and intercourse are investigated thoroughly. General conclusions and observations are recorded in the final chapter. Addressing most, if not all, aspects of ANOVAs, ANCOVAs, MANOVAs, MANCOVAs, Chi-square tests, and t-tests, this book is designed as a toolkit with much-needed directions to aid those who have to enter the

About the Author :
Dr. Widad Akrawi is a geneticist and global health expert, and one of Scandinavia's most successful female human rights and peace activists. Born in Kurdistan region, she graduated as a civil engineer in 1990, and proceeded on to the Technical University of Denmark where she earned a Masters degree in genetics and microbiology. After graduation, she served as a clinical geneticist and researcher in human genetics and inherited diseases at the Danish Royal Hospital, the largest hospital in Denmark and a leading university hospital in Northern Europe. She has also earned a PhD degree in global health and (cancer) epidemiology, with her dissertation focusing on analysing the 1999-2010 NHANES datasets on lung cancer development and vitamin E intake and the potential modification effects of dietary fat and fatty acids intake. Dr. Akrawi became a published author in 2003 and has since published several medical textbooks and academic articles. After researching the concept of victim psychology and the effects of various types of trauma on individuals' psychological health, her first novel entitled "Tara's Book," written in Danish, was published in Copenhagen. The book was translated to Norwegian in 2005, published in Oslo, and recognised by the Norwegian Cultural Council. Her eBook, entitled "Under Habets Skygge" (Under the Shadow of Hope), also in Danish, was published in 2013 at Amazon.com and Lulu.com. Her medical books and scholarly research papers can be found on Amazon and elsewhere. All revenues generated from the sales of her publications are completely donated to charity. Dr. Akrawi currently leads Defend International, a Norway-based NGO that is devoted to medical research and human rights. Over the years, she has addressed and attended numerous regional and international meetings and conferences, such as the United Nations Third and Fourth Biennial Meeting of States, the UN Commission on The Status of Women, the General Assembly Interactive Hearings with Non-Governmental organisations, Civil society organisations and the Private sector, and the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. She has held many leadership positions in national and international organisations, including Executive Board member of Amnesty International Denmark, ambassador for Amnesty International's "Stop Torture" campaign, and member of the Panel of Vestby Experts on approaches to socio-cultural constructivism. At present, she is an Executive Board member of Women of Europe Award, an active member of International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), a board member of IANSA Women's Network Working Group, and a senior lobbyist at the UN, encouraging member states to sign and ratify the international Arms Trade Treaty during the meetings that take place at the UN General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security.