cross sectional studies Flashcards
define epidemiology
the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations
define a cross sectional study
measures exposures and/or outcomes at one specific point in time
what sort of point in time can be in cross sectional studies
a given date, a specific event, a specific time period
define prevalence
the proportion of a defined outcome who have a disease at a specific point in time
how do we calculate prevalence
(total number of people in the population at that same time)
prevalence is affected by what
duration of disease and incidence of the disease
cross sectional studies can be used to do what
describe, to compare (across ages and times), to generate hypotheses, to plan distribution of things,
why is it hard to determine the temporal sequence of cross sectional studies
as exposure and outcome were measured at the same time
exposure and outcome were measured at the same time, what disadvantage does this have
the temporal sequence cant be determined
how does one talk about the findings of the cross sectional studies in prevalence ratio
exposed group were x times as likely to have outcome as comparison group
whats some limitations of the cross-sectional studies
Temporal sequencing, Measures prevalence not incidence, Not good for studying rare outcomes or exposures, Not good for assessing variable and transient exposures or outcomes
advantages of cross sectional studies
Can assess multiple exposures and outcomes
* can do many things based on your research question
* Can be less expensive than some other study designs
* Relatively quick
what sort of study groups are used for cross sectional studies
The participants in these studies are not selected because of them having a selected outcome or exposure. The people making the study want to make a cross section, so they select a representative random group of population to get a cross section.
what does transient variable mean?
exposures that are quick in time frame
