Accounting for complex intracluster correlations in longitudinal cluster randomized trials: a case study in malaria vector control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The effectiveness of malaria vector control interventions is often evaluated using cluster randomized trials (CRT) with outcomes assessed using repeated cross-sectional surveys. A key requirement for appropriate design and analysis of longitudinal CRTs is accounting for the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC). In addition to exchangeable correlation (constant ICC over time), correlation structures proposed for longitudinal CRT are block exchangeable (allows a different within- and between-period ICC) and exponential decay (allows between-period ICC to decay exponentially). More flexible correlation structures are available in statistical software packages and, although not formally proposed for longitudinal CRTs, may offer some advantages. Our objectives were to

SUBMITTER: Ouyang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10021932 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature