RF18 Variable selection and data reduction for the development of a small area deprivation index for health research in brazil

Background People living in areas with higher material deprivation have poorer health and increased mortality. In order to study these inequalities context-specific indicators of material deprivation are necessary. In this study, we present the first step in the development of an index to investigate the effects of spatial concentration of deprivation on health status and mortality in Brazil. Our goal was to obtain a summary indicator of deprivation in the environment surrounding each household by census tract. Methods Neighborhood conditions at the smallest level available (census tracts) were characterized using data from the latest edition of the Brazilian Census (2010). We selected variables that measure the deprivation of the area surrounding a household. These were lack of paving, street lighting, sidewalks, presence of open sewage and accumulated waste. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a Structural Equations Model approach was performed to reduce the number of variables and test the existence of the two underlying dimensions: sanitary conditions and infrastructure. Factors were extracted as index variables through regression scores and classified in population quintiles, as categories of deprivation intensity. QGis and ArcGIS were used to plot these deprivation factors on a map for face validity and analysis of overlap with other similar indexes (i.e. Human Development Index and MPI-Multidimensional Poverty Index). Results The 2 77 576 census tracts in Brazil, cover a population of approximately 97,613,505 in 56,528,865 households CFA identified the two factors proposed, with good indexes of fit and model specification ( x ² 8 =11606.06; CFI=0.98; RMSEA=0.07; p Conclusion The selection of variables was based on an extensive theoretical framework, combining a variety of aggregate variables with coverage for more than 98% of the Brazilian population. This data-reduction demonstrates there are underlying deprivation factors which means there is considerable potential for creating a small area deprivation index using other indicators of material deprivation for the whole of Brazil at the census tract level. Use of the census will enable replication with future versions of the census. Therefore, it will be crucial for monitoring inequalities in health and mortality in Brazil.