DSSSB October 2024
Nursing Research & Statistic
Easy
The measure of the strength of the association between risk factors and outcome is known as:
Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024
Explanation
- Relative risk (RR), also known as risk ratio, directly measures the strength of an association between an exposure and an outcome.
- It is calculated as the ratio of the incidence of the disease in the exposed group to the incidence of the disease in the unexposed group.
- An RR greater than 1.0 indicates that the exposure is a risk factor, increasing the likelihood of the outcome.
- An RR less than 1.0 suggests the exposure is a protective factor, decreasing the likelihood of the outcome.
- An RR of 1.0 means there is no association between the exposure and the outcome.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: The Odds Ratio (OR) also measures the strength of association, but it is typically used in case-control studies where incidence rates cannot be directly calculated. It compares the odds of exposure in the disease group versus the control group.
- Option B: A Confidence Interval (CI) does not measure the strength of an association. It measures the precision of an estimate, such as an RR or OR, by providing a range of plausible values for the true population parameter.
- Option C: A P-value measures statistical significance, not the strength or magnitude of an association. It quantifies the probability that an observed association could have occurred by chance alone.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Measures of association in epidemiology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses use their understanding of relative risk and other epidemiological measures to critically appraise research studies and apply evidence-based practice to patient care.
- This knowledge is essential for patient education, helping nurses explain the risks associated with certain behaviors (e.g., smoking) or the benefits of protective factors (e.g., vaccination).
- Understanding these terms helps in interpreting public health alerts and guidelines, which are often based on epidemiological studies.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key concept in the question: 'strength of the association'. This points to a measure of effect size or magnitude.
- Next, analyze the options to differentiate between measures of association, measures of statistical significance, and measures of precision.
- Recall that Relative Risk (RR) and Odds Ratio (OR) are the primary measures for the strength of an association.
- Recognize that a P-value assesses the role of chance (statistical significance), not the size of the effect.
- Understand that a Confidence Interval (CI) assesses the precision of an estimate, not the strength of the association itself.
- Between Relative Risk and Odds Ratio, Relative Risk is the direct ratio of incidence rates, making it a fundamental measure of association strength, especially in cohort studies.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Measures of association in epidemiology
- Stem keywords: measure, strength of association, risk factors, outcome
- Lead-in keywords: is known as
Question ID
QfAplC6dv31SOyYa-9CK24
Reference Book
E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 66-68
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 2840-2842
Practise the full DSSSB October 2024
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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