In a community survey of 400 adults, 80 are found to have hypertension. What is the standard error of the proportion of hypertensives?
- A 1.0%
- B 2.0% ✓
- C 3.5%
- D 4.5%
Correct answer: B. 2.0%
Explanation
Standard error of proportion = sqrt(pq/n). Here p = 80/400 = 0.20, q = 0.80, n = 400. SE = sqrt(0.20 × 0.80 / 400) = sqrt(0.0004) = 0.02 = 2%. Option A would result from using p instead of pq in the numerator. Option C confuses SE with the 95% CI width (approximately ±4%).
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
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