A Modification to the Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Model to Settings with Fuzzy Variables

Abstract

Despite the fact that fuzzy regression discontinuity designs are growing in popularity, a lot of research takes into account treatment non-compliance difficulties, specifically the fuzziness of the treatment impact. This paper took into account independent and dependent fuzzy factors when creating these designs. Additionally we took into account treatment non-compliance difficulties, specifically the fuzziness of the treatment impact, as other research does. The modified Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity model is preferable for modeling fuzzy data. It enables us to draw improved causal effects accommodating fuzzy variables, not just the fuzziness of the treatment effect as in Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity models. A fuzzy dataset is converted into crisp data by the Centroid method of defuzzification. Once the data is crisp, the traditional least squares methods of approximation are used to estimate the parameters in the model since these parameters are considered crisp whilst the error terms are fuzzy. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score(AUDIT score) can be used as a cutoff to initiate treatment in this case and can be used to predict the progression of HIV disease and/or AIDS. Counseling helps to lower the use of alcohol in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as a result, improving the participants’ CD4 counts.