Chapter 9: Epidemiological Applications Flashcards
Epidemiology
The study of the DISTRIBUTION and factors that determine health-related states or events in a population, and the use of this’s information to control health problems.
Descriptive Epidemiology
A form of epidemiology that describes a disease according to its person, place or time.
Determinants of health events
Those factors, exposures, characteristics and behaviors and contexts that determine (or influence) the patterns
Analytic Epidemiology
Looks at the etiology (origins or causes) of the disease and deals with determinants of health and disease.
Epidemiology is the study of populations to
- Determine the causes of health and disease in a population
- Monitor the health of the population
- Identify the determinants of health and disease in communities
- Investigate and evaluate interventions to prevent disease and maintain health
How do nurses use Epidemiology?
- Nurses look at health and at disease causation, and how both prevent and treat illness.
- Nurses are involved in the surveillance and monitoring of disease trends, e.g., homes, schools, work places, clinics.
What are the basic concepts of epidemiology?
Rates, Proportions, Risk, Ratio Measures of Morbidity and Mortality Measures of Incidence Measures of Prevalence Epidemic
Epidemiologic Triangle
Agent, host and environment
Changes in one of the elements of the triangle can influence the occurrence of disease by increasing or decreasing a persons risk for disease.
Web of Casualty
Recognizes the complex interrelationships of many factors interacting, sometimes in subtle ways, to increase (or decrease) the risk of disease.
Associations are sometimes mutual, with lines of causality going in both directions.
Levels of Preventive Interventions
Primary i.e., Immunizations Secondary i.e., Screenings Tertiary i.e., Physical and occupational therapy
Primary intervention
intervention that seeks to promote health and prevent the occurrence of disease, injury, or disability
Secondary Intervention
intervention that seeks to detect disease early in its progression, before clinical signs and symptoms become apparent, in order to make an early diagnosis and begin treatment
Tertiary Intervention
intervention aimed at disability limitation and rehabilitation from disease, injury, or disability
Screening
A key component of many secondary prevention interventions
Involves the testing of groups of individuals who are at risk for a specific condition but do not have symptoms.
Goal of Screenings
The goal is to determine the likelihood that these individuals will develop the disease.
