Inferential Biostatistics: TEST OF SIGNIFICANCE

30. A sample of 90 TB patients were found to have a compliance score of 160 days and a
standard deviation of 3days.Can it be regarded as a sample from the coverage area of the
ITM with a mean compliance of 163 days?
Given: n=90; mean of compliance score: 160 days; SD of sample : 3 days
SD 3
S.E of mean = = = 0.32
n 90

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I of mean = x  2 S .E

 160  2 x 0.32 = 160 ± 0.64

= 159.5 -160.6 days.

Since the 95% confidence interval 159.5 to 160.6 does not contain the ITM mean of

163 days, the sample does not belong to the population covered by the ITM.

31. The mean hemoglobin level 81 women was 10.8 gm/dl with a standard deviation of 2.25
gm/dl. The population mean was 11.3 gm/dl. Is there a significant difference between the
sample mean and population mean?

Sample size n = 81
Sample mean x = 10.8gm/dl
Sample standard deviation SD =2.25gm/dl
Population mean µ=11.3gm/dl
SD 2.25 2.25
SE= n = 81 =  0.25
9

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I of mean = x  2 S .E
 10.8  2 x0.25 = 10.8 ± 0.5
o

= 10.3 -11.3 C
Since the 95% confidence interval 10.3 -11.3 gm/dl includes the population mean 11.3 gm/dl,

there is no difference between the sample and population mean.

32. The proportion of females in MBBS students of KMC of 400 students was found to be
47%. The proportion of females in the state was 50%. What conclusion can be drawn
regarding the representation of girls in MBBS? Is the female proportion same as in the
general population?

Given: sample size n: 400 sample proportion of girls- p: 47% q: 1-p = 53%

pq 47x 53
S.E of proportion = = = 6.23 = 2.5
n 400

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I = p  2S .E
 47  2 x 2.5  47  5  42  52

Since the population prevalence 50% lies within the 95% C.I. of KMC sample, the
proportion of females of KMC MBBS students is same as the general population.

33. In a dental examination of school children for caries, out of 150 examined 20 were found
to have caries. Does it confirm with the statement that 20% of school children have
dental caries?
Given: sample size n: 150 sample proportion of caries - p: 13.3%

q: 1-p = 86.7%

13.3X86.7
pq =
S.E of proportion = 150 = 7.69 = 2.77
n

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I = p  2 S .E
 13.3  2 x 2.77  13.3  5.54  7.8  18.8
 Since the population prevalence 20% does not lie within the 95% C.I. of the sample
proportion , the sample is not same as the general population.

34. The mean Body Mass Index of 1500 Primary Health Center physicians was 24kg/m 2 ( SD
1.2) while the BMI of 300 Medical College Specialty doctors was 25 kg/m 2 (SD 4.5). Find
whether the BMI of the two groups are different.

Given: n1=1500; mean BMI of PHC doctors m1: 24kg/m2; SD1 : 1.2

n2 = 300; mean BMI of specialty doctors m2: 25kg/m2; SD2 : 4.5

= = = 0.26

Difference between two means: 24 – 25 = 1

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I of difference between means = d  2 S .E

95% CI of difference: 1 ± 2(0.26) = 1 ± 0.52 = 0.48 to 1.52

Since the 95% Confidence interval of difference does not includes 0 , there is

statistically significant difference between the BMI of the two groups – PHC doctors

and specialty doctors from medical colleges.

 35. In a group of 196 adults in the age group 45 to 53 years belonging to the social class I ,
the mean cholesterol was 180mg% with a standard deviation of 42 mg%. In a comparable
group of 144 adults belonging to the social class V, the mean cholesterol was 150mg% with
a standard deviation of 48mg%.Find whether the mean cholesterol of the two social classes
different or not

Given: n1=196; mean cholesterol of class I m1: 180mg%; SD1 : 42mg%

n2=144; mean cholesterol of class V m2: 150mg%; SD2 : 48mg%

= = =5

Difference between two means:180 – 150 = 30

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I of difference between means = d  2 S .E

95% CI of difference: 30 ± 2(5) = 30 ± 10 = 20 - 40

Since the 95% Confidence interval of difference does not includes 0 , there is

statistically significant difference between the mean cholesterol of the two classes –I

& V.

36. The proportion of adolescent students of Chennai Corporation (4000 in number) with
obesity was found to be 17%. The proportion of adolescent students of Central board schools
 with obesity was 20% in a sample of 300 students. Is prevalence of obesity higher among
adolescents of central board schools?

Given:

Sample size of Corporation School students n1: 4000 Proportion obese p1: 17% q1: 1-p = 83%

Sample size of Central board School students n2: 300 Proportion obese p2: 20% q2: 1-p = 80%

= 2.38

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I =
d  2 S .E  3  2 x 2.38  3  4.76 = -1.76 to 7.76

Since the 95% Confidence interval of difference includes 0 , there is no statistically

significant difference between the prevalence of obesity in the two groups – Chennai

Corporation students and Central Board School students.

37. Out of 1000 children examined for scabies in rural area, 100 were detected. In urban
area, 40 were detected from a children population of 800. Is the difference in the prevalence
of scabies in the two areas significant?

Given:

Sample size in rural area n1: 1000 Proportion scabies p1: 10% q1: 1-p = 90%
Sample size in urban area n2: 800 Proportion scabies p2: 5% q2: 1-p = 95%

= 1.2

(Critical value for 95% confidence is 1.96 2)

95% C.I =
d  2 S .E  5  2 x1.2  5  2.4 = 2.6 to 7.4

Since the 95% Confidence interval of difference does not include 0 , there is

statistically significant difference between the prevalence of scabies in the two areas –

rural and urban.