Epidemiology & Disease Prevention

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

Study of distribution, determinants of health, disease or injury in human populations and the application of this study to control health problems and improve health status.

Question 2

Mortality

Answer 2

Number of deaths in a specified population

Question 3

Morbidity

Answer 3

Number of illnesses in a specified population

Question 4

Incidence

Answer 4

Number of new cases within a specified population

Question 5

Prevalence

Answer 5

Total number of people affected at a specified time period

Question 6

Epidemic

Answer 6

Occurrence of more cases than expected

Question 7

Endemic

Answer 7

Rate of occurrence that is usual within populations

Question 8

Pandemic

Answer 8

Rate of occurrence in geographically widespread populations

Question 9

Surveillance

Answer 9

Monitor or track occurrence of disease

Question 10

Risk

Answer 10

Where we need intervention, prevention, strategy, support and education.
Probability one will develop condition or experience certain event.

Question 11

Risk Factor

Answer 11

Looks at statistics, where are the risks.
Any situation, habit, environment condition, physiological condition and any variables that increase vulnerability to injury, accident or illness

Question 12

Population at risk / High risk population

Answer 12

Groups of people that have the greatest potential to develop a condition.
The presence of risk factors does not mean that a particular population will develop the disease. It tells us where resources go and how to help.

Question 13

Risk reduction

Answer 13

Disease prevention strategy used to reduce or alter concerns before they reach higher levels.

Question 14

Harm reduction

Answer 14

Strategies used to decrease adverse health consequences without requiring removing risk behaviour.

Question 15

Resilliancy

Answer 15

Capacity for an individual, family or group to effectively manage when faced with complete/considerable adversity or risk.

Question 16

Categories of risk factors

Answer 16

1. Genetic and physiological
2. Behavioural
3. Psychosocial
4. Risk conditions

Question 17

Assumptions about risk

Answer 17

1. Each person is faced with quantifiable health hazards
2. The client’s risk is comparable to average risk or mortality of a group with similar characteristics.
3. Knowledge of risk is motivator for health behaviour change.
4. Through risk appraisal, clients know what might occur and how to improve.

Question 18

Advantages of Risk Approach

Answer 18

1. May be a motivator for behaviour change
2. Provides reliable information of what is know about the disease
3. May lead to health improvement

Question 19

Disadvantages of Risk Approach

Answer 19

1. Appraisal is unlikely to result in risk reduction
2. Usually focuses on individual and lifestyle
3. Is an estimate and predictions may not be accurate
4. May lead to anxiety and guilt

Question 20

Screening

Answer 20

Identification of unrecognized disease or defect by application of tests, exams, or other procedures. Sorts out apparently well persons from those who aren’t.

Question 21

Characteristics of a good screening test

Answer 21

1. Valid
2. Reliable
3. Cost to benefit
4. Acceptable

Question 22

When to screen

Answer 22

1. It is an important health problem
2. Disease has latent or early systematic stage
3. There is acceptable treatment
4. There are adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment
5. There is an accurate screening test

Question 23

Web of Causation

Answer 23

Drawing of several factors believed to be a health problem and shows how they interplay.