Predicting small area health-related behaviour: a comparison of multilevel synthetic estimation and local survey data.
A recent paper in Social Science and Medicine (Twigg et al. 50 (2000) 1109) outlined an approach to the estimation of prevalences of small-area health-related behaviour using multilevel models. This paper compares results from the application of the multilevel approach with those derived using the more traditional strategy of the local 'lifestyle' survey. Estimations of smoking prevalence and high alcohol consumption are examined and critical assessments made of both estimation approaches. It is concluded that the alternative method is more suited towards the prediction of smoking rates as opposed to unsafe alcohol consumption.
Twigg
Liz
L
School of Social & Historical Studies, Institute for the Geography of Health, University of Portsmouth, Milldam, UK. liz.twigg@port.ac.uk
Moon
Graham
G
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015995:Prevalence; D017062:Small-Area Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology