Table 4 Summary of a factor analysis to assess the dependency of variables that revealed statistical significance in the bivariable generalized linear mixed modelling including “Age” (years) as effect modifier and “Zoo” as random effects variable in modeling Toxoplasma gondii-seropositivity in wild felids in human care (Table 3, detailed information in Additional file 7: Tables S6–S8)
Factor analysis models (phase of analysis) | Factor | Not excluded from further analysis | Excluded from further analysis (reason for exclusion) |
|---|---|---|---|
Model 1 (initial) | 1 | Feeding: mice | Feeding: rodents, Feeding: fowl (lower statistical significance in bivariable risk factor analysis than Feeding: mice) |
2 | Feeding: cattle | Feeding: ruminants (lower statistical significance in bivariable risk factor analysis than Feeding: cattle) | |
3 | Breeding: litters within 1 year | Breeding: litters within 5 years (lower statistical significance in bivariable risk factor analysis than Breeding: litters within 1 year) | |
4 | Housing: mesh size | General health: rabies vaccination (lower biological relevance than Housing: mesh size) | |
Model 2 (subsequent) | 1 | Feeding: cattle | Breeding: litters within 1 year (lower biological relevance than Feeding: cattle) |
Model 3 (subsequent) | 3 | Feeding: mice | Deworming interval: month (lower biological relevance than Feeding: mice) |