title: Parameters for sample size estimation from a group-randomized HIV prevention trial in HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Sample size calculations for a group-randomized trial (GRT) require an estimate of the expected intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). However, few ICC estimates from GRTs in HIV/AIDS research have been published, leaving investigators with little data on which to base expectations. We used data from a multi-country study to estimate ICCs for variables related to physical and mental health and HIV risk behaviors. ICCs for perceptions of physical and mental health tended to be higher than those for HIV risk behavior variables, which were higher than ICCs for CD4 count. Covariate adjustment for country and socio-demographic variables reduced most ICC estimates. For risk behavior variables, adjustment for country and socio-demographic variables reduced ICC estimates by as much as 84 %. Variability in ICC estimates has important implications for study design, as a larger ICC reduces power. ICC estimates presented in this analysis will allow more precise sample size estimates for future GRTs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-30, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sherri L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pals
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medley
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bachanas
authors.forename: Deon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Zyl
authors.forename: Frieda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Katuta
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Juma
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012107:Research Design; D012309:Risk-Taking; D018401:Sample Size; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D016903:Drug Monitoring