Basic Epidemiology Flashcards
Epidemiology
The study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in a specified populations and the application of this study to the control of health problems
Public health
- Process of promoting health, preventing disease, prolonging life and improving quality of health through the organized efforts of society.
- The organized efforts of society aimed at promoting Health, preventing disease, prolonging life and improving the quality of health.
Descriptive study
Distribution of an exposure and/or outcome are examined without any attempt by the investigator to influence them
Interventional study
A study designed to test a hypothesis by modifying an exposure within the study population
Cross-sectional study
- A study in which the prevalence of an exposure and/or an outcome are measured in a given population at a specified point in time.
- Measures the prevalence of exposures and/or outcomes of health outcomes of a population at a particular point in time.
Cohort study
- A study in which one or groups of individuals are followed up over a period of time to determine the frequency of a particular outcome in the group.
- A study in which individuals are grouped on the basis of their exposure and then followed to document the occurrence of the health outcome.
Semelweiss
Pioneer of antiseptic procedures. Discovered that the incidence of pueperal fever could be cut by hand disinfection
John Snow
Adopting anasthesia and medical hygiene. Had to with cholera
William Farr
Medical statistics
James Lind
First clinical trial. Scurvy. Preventive medicine
Hippocrates
Believed diseases were caused naturally.
Disease control
E.g. of disease
The reduction of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity or mortality to a locally acceptable level as a result of deliberate efforts; continued intervention measures are required to maintain the reduction. E.g .diarrheal diseases
Elimination
E.g of disease
Reduction to zero of the incidence of a specified disease in a defined geogaphicalarea as a result of deliberate efforts: continued intervention measures are required to. E.g. neonatal tetanus , measles, poliomyelitis
Eradication
Permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence of an infection caused by a specific agent as a result of deliberate efforts; intervention measures are no longer needed.
Example: small pox
Extinction
The specific infectious agent no longer exists in nature or in the laboratory. e.g. none
Sporadic
Occuring irregularly, haphardly from time to time and generally infrequently.
Endemic
The constant presence of disease or infectious agent within a given geographical area or population group.
Epidemic
The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behavior clearly in excess of normal expectancy.
Pandemic
An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people.
Subclinical infection
Does not cause noticeable disease
Prevention
Actions aimed at eradicating, eliminating or minimizing the impact of disease and disability, or if none of these are feasible, retarding the progress of the disease and disability.
Primordial prevention
Actions and measures that inhibit the emergence of risk factors in the form of environmental, economic, social, and behavioral conditions and cultural patterns of living.
Primary prevention
Action taken prior to the onset of disease, which removes the possibility the disease will ever occur.
Secondary prevention
Action which halts the progress of the disease at is incipient (asymptomatic) stage and prevents complications.
Tertiary prevention
Defined as all the measures available to reduce or limit impairments and disabilities, and to promote the patients’ adjustment to irremediable conditions
Case-control study
A study in which individuals with and without the health outcome of interest are enrolled and then questioned or tested to determine their prior exposure
Risk factor
An attribute, characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury
Distribution
Refers to the frequency and pattern of health events in a population
Frequency
The number of occurrences of health events in a population
Pattern
The occurrence of health events by time, place and person
Determinants
The causes and risk factors that influence the occurrence of health-related events
Health-related state or event
Anything that affects the wellbeing of a population
Also known as health outcome
Egs. illness, disability, recovery or improved health
Health outcomes are not always diseases
(T/F)
True
Health outcomes can also be growth, intelligence, multiple pregnancy and fertility
Observational studies
Studies in which the investigator is not acting upon the study participants, but is instead observing natural relationships between exposures and outcomes
Types of observational studies
- Descriptive studies
- Analytical studies
