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<Articles JournalTitle="Journal of Biostatistics and Epidemiology">
  <Article>
    <Journal>
      <PublisherName>Tehran University of Medical Sciences</PublisherName>
      <JournalTitle>Journal of Biostatistics and Epidemiology</JournalTitle>
      <Issn>2383-4196</Issn>
      <Volume>11</Volume>
      <Issue>4</Issue>
      <PubDate PubStatus="epublish">
        <Year>2026</Year>
        <Month>10</Month>
        <Day>07</Day>
      </PubDate>
    </Journal>
    <title locale="en_US">Robust inference to parameter estimates in the zero-inflated generalized Poisson: The risk factors affecting the fertility rate</title>
    <FirstPage>394</FirstPage>
    <LastPage>414</LastPage>
    <AuthorList>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Eghbal</FirstName>
        <LastName>Zandkarimi</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran</affiliation>
      </Author>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Abbas</FirstName>
        <LastName>Moghimbeigi</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran</affiliation>
      </Author>
    </AuthorList>
    <History>
      <PubDate PubStatus="received">
        <Year>2025</Year>
        <Month>06</Month>
        <Day>24</Day>
      </PubDate>
      <PubDate PubStatus="accepted">
        <Year>2025</Year>
        <Month>10</Month>
        <Day>20</Day>
      </PubDate>
    </History>
    <abstract locale="en_US">This study introduces the multilevel zero-inflated generalized Poisson (MZIGP) model for modeling zero-inflated count data with over- and under-dispersion. While maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is typically used, it is sensitive to outliers and data contamination. Therefore, we propose robust estimation methods using Mallow&#x2019;s class. In the logistic component, the design matrix is weighted to reduce leverage effects; in the generalized Poisson (GP) component, a general class of M-estimators is applied where the effects of both covariates and responses are bounded. Simulation results demonstrate that the robust expectation-solution (RES) method outperforms the EM algorithm in the presence of outliers and varying levels of zero-inflation. A real-data application using the 2015 IrMIDH fertility data set is also provided.</abstract>
    <web_url>https://jbe.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jbe/article/view/1695</web_url>
  </Article>
</Articles>
