[Openspace] Spatial Empirical Bayes with a lot of zeros

[cbautista at hivresearch.org]

I have a study where the number of areas is 300, and for each area I have
calculated the prevalence or proportion of a disease.

Almost 70% of the total of areas in this study the prevalence (rate) is
equal to 0.


Using GeoDa (excellent software!!) with the option of Spatial Empirical
Bayes I would like to create a Bayesian smoothed prevalences map. After
using this option and having created the respective weight file, I have
saved "the rates" for each area. However, I have observed that now there
are less areas with zero prevalences.

a) Am I not sure about the spatial empirical bayes method is a good option
for my study?

b) Is there any recomendation about what to do when there are many zeros?

c) Is there another way of creating a Bayesian smoothed prevalence map?

Any comments please feel free....

Thanks in advance,

/Christian