Confidence interval for a rate

Command:

Tests Rates Confidence interval for a rate

Description

A rate is a ratio between a count and another measurement, for example the ratio of a number of events observed and the total number of person-years of observation.

This test is not performed on data in the spreadsheet, but on data you enter in a dialog box.

Required input

• Numerator: the observed number of events.
• Denominator: for example the total person-years.
• Option Express result as 1:X: when this option is selected the rate R will be displayed as 1:(1/R), e.g. the rate 10/200 equals 0.05 and can be represented as 1:20.

When all data have been entered click Test.

Results

The program displays:

• The Poisson 95% Confidence Interval for the number counted (the Numerator).
• The incidence rate.
• The 95% Confidence Interval for the incidence rate.

In an optional Comment input field you can enter a comment or conclusion that will be included on the printed report.

Literature

• Daly LE (1998) Confidence limits made easy: interval estimation using a substitution method. American Journal of Epidemiology 147:783-790.

See also

• Comparison of two rates