epidemiology (422 E2)

Question 1

research

Answer 1

A scientific method by which data is systematically collected to describe, explain, and/or predict events

Question 2

Evidence-based practice

Answer 2

The conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence to guide health care decisions. (Sackett et al., 1996)

Question 3

epidemiology

Answer 3

the study of the distribution, frequency, and determinants of health and disease in human populations to understand causation

Refers to the research method that is most commonly used in public health. It is the foundation of evidence-based practice in public health and public health nursing

Question 4

agent

Answer 4

factor that causes disease

-infectious: bacteria, fungi, parasites & viruses
-chemical: heavy metals, toxic chemicals and pesticides
-physical: heat exposure, cold machinery, radiation

Question 5

host

Answer 5

A living species (human or animal) capable of being infected or affected by an agent. The host may or may not develop the disease

Question 6

environment

Answer 6

All that is external to a given host or agent that is influenced and influences the host and/or agent

allows the agent to survive and multiple & where the interaction between the host and the agent takes place

Question 7

what makes up the epidemiological triangle

Answer 7

agent
host
environment

Question 8

objectives of epidemiology

Answer 8

who is being affected by the disorder (population)

what determines who is affected or what makes people susceptible (determinants of health)

where does the condition occur (distribution)

when does the disease occur (frequency)

why does the condition occur (disease causation)

how can we control and prevent health problems (application)

Question 9

focus of epidemiology

Answer 9

identify factors and characteristics that cause, predict or are associated with the development of a health condition

Question 10

methods of epidemiology: surveillance

Answer 10

the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health related data essential

Question 11

methods of epidemiology: descriptive epidemiology

Answer 11

purpose is to describe who, what, where and when

Question 12

methods of epidemiology: analytic epidemiology

Answer 12

purpose is to examine relationships between who, what, where and when to determine the why

Question 13

malaria example of the epidemiological triangle

Answer 13

host: human
environment: +68F, lots of water/trash, evenings
agent: plasmodium
vector: female mosquito

Question 14

intrinsic factors to the host

Answer 14

-susceptibility or response to an agent
-factors: genetics, age, sex, physiological state, prior immunological experience, concurrent or preexisting disease, human behavior

Question 15

environment extrinsic factors

Answer 15

influence existence of the agent, exposure or susceptibility to agent
-physical
-biological: human population, flora, fauna
-socioeconomic: occupation, urbanization, economic development, disruption and violence

Question 16

the two assumptions on which the epidemiological triangle is based on

Answer 16

1) disease occurs when an agent is present in a susceptible host under environmental conditions favorable to the development of disease

2) changes in one component of the triangle can influence whether or not a disease occurs

works for communicable or infectious disease but not chronic disease and mental illness bc the focus is too narrow

Question 17

what model is used for chronic disease

Answer 17

the web of causation