Task 2a: How to Use Taylor Linearization Procedures to Calculate Variance in NHANES Using SUDAAN

Once data are sorted in SAS, SUDAAN can be used to specify the sampling design parameters. In this example, the SUDAAN procedure, proc descript, is used and the name of the dataset is BP_analysis_Data.  Proc descript is being used as a generic example, but the following statements apply to all SUDAAN procedures.

 

Step 1: Sorting in SAS

To carry out the appropriate SUDAAN design option for NHANES data, the data from BP_analysis_Data must first be sorted by strata and then by PSU (i.e., sdmvstra first, followed by sdmvpsu, unless the data have already been sorted by PSU within strata). The proc sort procedure must be conducted in SAS before SUDAAN is used to run the analyses.

 

warning iconWARNING

Data must always be sorted in SAS before doing analyses in SUDAAN.

 

Step 2: Use proc statement in SUDAAN

The proc statement immediately follows the proc sort statement. In this example, the proc descript statement is used.  In addition, the data option specifies BP_analysis_Data as the SAS dataset being used and the design option specifies with replacement (WR) as the design.

 

 

Step 3: Use nest statement in SUDAAN

The nest statement lists the variables that identify the strata and the PSU.  The nest statement is required for the appropriate design option for NHANES to be used. See the Sample Design module for further explanation of design options in SUDAAN.

As in the sort statement, the nest statement lists the stratum variable (i.e., sdmvstra) first, followed by the PSU variable (i.e., sdmvpsu).

 

Summary: Sample SUDAAN code for calculating variance using Taylor Linearization procedures

The following table shows how to combine the statements described above to properly calculate variance estimates. In this example, the proc descript procedure is used to calculate variance.  However, the design and nest statements shown below can be used in a similar manner for all SUDAAN procedures. Additionally, other procedure options can be added to these statements to customize the analysis and output. Consult the SUDAAN manual for specifications on the options for each SUDAAN procedure.

 

SUDAAN descript Procedure
Statements Explanation

proc sort data =BP_analysis_Data;

by sdmvstra sdmvpsu;

run ;

Use the SAS procedure, proc sort, to sort the data by the design parameters, strata (sdmvstra) and primary sampling units (sdmvpsu), before running the procedure in SUDAAN.

proc descript data= BP_analysis_Data design= WR;

Use the proc statement to specify the SUDAAN procedure being used (proc descript here), the data set (BP_analysis_Data), and the sample design (with replacement — WR).