1: Introduction to Epidemiology

Question 1

Define the term epidemiology

Answer 1

Epidemiology is the study of:

• the distribution and
• the determinants of health related states or events in specified populations, and
• the application of this study to control health problems

Question 2

Name the main goals and course of action in epidemiology

Answer 2

Descriptive epidemiology
- assess burden of disease in population

Analytic epidemiology
- analyze natural course and prognosis of diseases
- detect the causes and risk factors for diseases (etiology)

Take action
- assess preventive or therapeutic interventions and changes in medical health care system
- generate basis for health care politics and health care of individual patients

Question 3

Difference between endemic, epidemic, pandemic

Answer 3

Endemic
habitual presence or occurrencde of disease within given geographic area
- e.g. Meningitis (belt)

Epidemic
occurence in community or region of a group of ilnesses of similar nature (excess of normal expectancy)
- e.g. Ebola epidemics

Pandemic
worldwide epidemics
- e.g. Flu pandemics, SARS-CoV-2

Question 4

Briefly explain the importance of the Cholera outbreak in 1853 for epidemiology

Answer 4

first epidemiological study including hypothesis. data collection, analysis (cases, water supply) and taking action

• describe frequency of incident and lethal cases and their location
• identify important factors like drinking water from specific pump
• change system by removing handle from this specific pump