Basic Epidemiology

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Public health

Answer 2

1. Process of promoting health, preventing disease, prolonging life and improving quality of health through the organized efforts of society.
2. The organized efforts of society aimed at promoting Health, preventing disease, prolonging life and improving the quality of health.

Question 3

Descriptive study

Answer 3

Distribution of an exposure and/or outcome are examined without any attempt by the investigator to influence them

Question 4

Interventional study

Answer 4

A study designed to test a hypothesis by modifying an exposure within the study population

Question 5

Cross-sectional study

Answer 5

1. 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.
2. Measures the prevalence of exposures and/or outcomes of health outcomes of a population at a particular point in time.

Question 6

Cohort study

Answer 6

1. 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.
2. A study in which individuals are grouped on the basis of their exposure and then followed to document the occurrence of the health outcome.

Question 7

Semelweiss

Answer 7

Pioneer of antiseptic procedures. Discovered that the incidence of pueperal fever could be cut by hand disinfection

Question 8

John Snow

Answer 8

Adopting anasthesia and medical hygiene. Had to with cholera

Question 9

William Farr

Answer 9

Medical statistics

Question 10

James Lind

Answer 10

First clinical trial. Scurvy. Preventive medicine

Question 11

Hippocrates

Answer 11

Believed diseases were caused naturally.

Question 12

Disease control
E.g. of disease

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Elimination

E.g of disease

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Eradication

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Extinction

Answer 15

The specific infectious agent no longer exists in nature or in the laboratory. e.g. none

Question 16

Sporadic

Answer 16

Occuring irregularly, haphardly from time to time and generally infrequently.

Question 17

Endemic

Answer 17

The constant presence of disease or infectious agent within a given geographical area or population group.

Question 18

Epidemic

Answer 18

The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behavior clearly in excess of normal expectancy.

Question 19

Pandemic

Answer 19

An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people.

Question 20

Subclinical infection

Answer 20

Does not cause noticeable disease

Question 21

Prevention

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Primordial prevention

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Primary prevention

Answer 23

Action taken prior to the onset of disease, which removes the possibility the disease will ever occur.

Question 24

Secondary prevention

Answer 24

Action which halts the progress of the disease at is incipient (asymptomatic) stage and prevents complications.

Question 25

Tertiary prevention

Answer 25

Defined as all the measures available to reduce or limit impairments and disabilities, and to promote the patients’ adjustment to irremediable conditions

Question 26

Case-control study

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Risk factor

Answer 27

An attribute, characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury

Question 28

Distribution

Answer 28

Refers to the frequency and pattern of health events in a population

Question 29

Frequency

Answer 29

The number of occurrences of health events in a population

Question 30

Pattern

Answer 30

The occurrence of health events by time, place and person

Question 31

Determinants

Answer 31

The causes and risk factors that influence the occurrence of health-related events

Question 32

Health-related state or event

Answer 32

Anything that affects the wellbeing of a population

Also known as health outcome

Egs. illness, disability, recovery or improved health

Question 33

Health outcomes are not always diseases
(T/F)

Answer 33

True

Health outcomes can also be growth, intelligence, multiple pregnancy and fertility

Question 34

Observational studies

Answer 34

Studies in which the investigator is not acting upon the study participants, but is instead observing natural relationships between exposures and outcomes

Question 35

Types of observational studies

Answer 35

1. Descriptive studies
2. Analytical studies