Smoothened cubic b-spline approximation to the baseline hazard function and its application in the determination of survivor time

Abstract

This project deals with the estimation and prediction of factors that enhance or lower the survival time of patients living with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] and their survival time till death. With data taken from a ministry of health (MOH) clinic in one of the urban slums in Kenya. The emphasis in this project is made on the new method of predicting the survival function using the smoothened cubic B spline function as an approximation of the baseline hazard function in a proportional hazard model.