Reference no: EM132375374

Foundations of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Assignment -

These questions refer to the paper: Sweet et al 2019. Quitting Behaviors Among Dual Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users and Cigarette Smokers Enrolled in the Tobacco User Adult Cohort. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2019, 278-284.

1. a) In one sentence, summarise the aim of this study.

b) Briefly (in 2-5 sentences or dot points) summarise the main rationale for addressing this aim.

2. This study by Sweet et al (2019) is a cohort study. Describe two advantages and one disadvantage of doing an RCT to answer the authors' fourth research question; Are dual users more likely to achieve complete abstinence from all tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) compared to cigarette smokers over time?

3. a) Who comprised the sample for this study?

b) Identify two strengths and one weaknesses of the sample selection and for each explain they are a strength/ weakness.

4. Regarding the outcome variables

a) What were the outcome variables for research questions 2-4 and when were they measured?

b) Identify and explain one strength and two limitations of the assessment of these outcomes variables.

5. Identify and explain one bias that may have influenced on the measurement of exposure.

6. The authors state that were few differences in the demographic characteristics between the groups, (page 280, column 2, paragraph 1 under Results), do you agree with this statement? Provide reasons for your answer.

7. Using the data in Table 1,

a) Calculate the odds ratio for the association, is being in the preparation stage of change associated with being a dual cigarette use compared with being in the pre-contemplation stage of change? Please showing your workings.

b) Provide an interpretation of the OR you calculated.

c) Is the variable stage of change a potential confounding factor for the association between dual cigarette use and abstinence from all tobacco products? Explain your reasoning.

8. Looking at Table 2, the result for males at 18 months, that is -4.48 (-5.86 to -3.09), explain what this change and 95% CI means?

9. Looking at Table 3, Abstinence from cigarettes, explain what the odds ratio and 95%CI of 2.54 (1.02 to 6.31) means.

10. Based upon the results of this study would you recommend that we include e-cigarettes as a public health strategy to reduce smoking prevalence in Australia? In a few sentences, provide reasons for your answer.

Attachment:- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Assignment File.rar