A probabilistic predictive Bayesian approach for determining the representativeness of health and demographic surveillance networks

Utazi, Chigozie Edson and Sahu, Sujit K. and Atkinson, Peter Michael and Tejedor, Natalia and Tatem, Andrew J. (2016) A probabilistic predictive Bayesian approach for determining the representativeness of health and demographic surveillance networks. Spatial Statistics, 17. pp. 161-178. ISSN 2211-6753

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Health and demographic surveillance systems, formed into networks of sites, are increasingly being established to circumvent unreliable national civil registration systems for estimates of mortality and its determinants in low income countries. Health outcomes, as measured by morbidity and mortality, generally correlate strongly with socioeconomic and environmental characteristics. Therefore, to enable comparison between sites, understand which sites can be grouped and where additional sites would aid understanding of rates and determinants, determining the environmental and socioeconomic representativeness of networks becomes important. This paper proposes a full Bayesian methodology for assessing current representativeness and consequently, identification of future sites, focusing on the INDEPTH network in sub-Saharan Africa as an example. Using socioeconomic and environmental data from the current network of 39 sites, we develop a multi-dimensional finite Gaussian mixture model for clustering the existing sites. Using the fitted model we obtain the posterior predictive probability distribution for cluster membership of each 1×11×1 km grid cell in Africa. The maximum of the posterior predictive probability distribution for each grid cell is proposed as the criterion for representativeness of the network for that particular grid cell. We demonstrate the conceptual superiority and practical appeal of the proposed Bayesian probabilistic method over previously applied deterministic clustering methods. As an example of the potential utility and application of the method, we also suggest optimal site selection methods for possible additions to the network.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Spatial Statistics
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2308
Subjects:
?? BAYESIAN INFERENCEBICCENTRAL CLUSTERINGFINITE GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODELGIBBS SAMPLINGPREDICTIVE CLUSTERINGCOMPUTERS IN EARTH SCIENCESSTATISTICS AND PROBABILITYMANAGEMENT, MONITORING, POLICY AND LAW ??
ID Code:
80186
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Jun 2016 13:00
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 01:53