Table 4 Measures of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of speed of breathing.

From: Accuracy of breathing and radial pulse assessment by non-medical persons: an observational cross-sectional study

 

Sensitivity (%)

Specificity (%)

Accuracy (%)

Overall

(95% CI)

81.3

(76.6–85.5)

90.7

(88.1–92.8)

87.6

(85.3–89.6)

Slow

(95% CI)

87.2

(79.7–92.6)

92.5

(87.9–95.7)

90.5

(86.7–93.5)

Normal

(95% CI)

72.6

(63.1–80.9)

89.0

(84.0–92.9)

83.5

(79.0–87.5)

Fast

(95% CI)

83.9

(74.8–90.7)

90.6

(86.0–94.1)

88.6

(84.6–91.9)

  1. RR respiratory rate, BPM breaths per minute.
  2. We defined four scenarios of breathing: ‘no breathing’, RR = 0 BPM; ‘slow’, RR = 9 BPM; ‘normal’, RR = 18 BPM; and ‘fast’, RR = 30 BPM.
  3. RR 0 BPM data were excluded (n = 100).
  4. Incorrect answers regarging the presence of breathing were excluded (n = 8).
  5. CI confidence interval.
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