Introduction to Epidemiology

Question 1

Define Epidemiology

Answer 1

This is the study of the distribution of determinants of health related states or events in specified populations and the application of the study to control health problems

Question 2

What are the six components of epidemiology

Answer 2

Study
Distribution 
Determinants 
Health related states/ events
Specified populations 
Application

Question 3

Define what is meant by burden of disease

Answer 3

Counting/ Measuring disease frequency

Expressing burden- numbers, proportions, rates, other measures

Question 4

Define what is meant by the term “case”

Answer 4

A case refers to a person having a particular disease or condition, may also referred to a particular disease, health disorder or condition under investigation

Question 5

Define population

Answer 5

A population is a complete set of persons, objects or events with a defined set of characteristics, about whom/ which we wish to know something

Question 6

What are three stages in prevention of disease

Answer 6

Primordial
Primary prevention,
secondary prevention and
tertiary prevention

Question 7

What are the two phases in the natural history of disease

Answer 7

Pre Clinical Phase and Clinical Phase

Question 8

Describe a descriptive epidemiological study

Answer 8

Who, what, where, when

Generate hypothesis

Question 9

What are four types of risk factors for disease

Answer 9

Demographics (age,gender)
Clinical (co-morbid conditions, pre-existing)
Socioeconomic status
Lifestyle behaviors

Question 10

Define prevention

Answer 10

Prevention speaks to the actions aimed at eradicating, eliminating, or minimizing the impact of disease and disability, and if none of these is feasible, retarding the progress of disease and disability

Question 11

What are the five main applications of Epidemiology

Answer 11

Identify the cause
Determine extent of spread
Study history and prognosis of disease
Evaluate preventative measures
Provides evidence to guide health related public policies

Question 12

What are two advantages of knowing the disease burden

Answer 12

Helps in planning effective interventions for the disease prevention and control

Appropriate resource allocation

Question 13

What or the two branches of Epidemiology

Answer 13

Descriptive and Analytic

Question 13

Describe Descriptive Epidemiology

Answer 13

Distribution & determinants of health related events

Question 13

Describe Experimental/Analytical Epidemiology

Answer 13

Group comparisons
Controlled process
Hypothesis-testing
Causality

Question 13

What are the four main concepts in Epidemiology

Answer 13

Distribution
Determinants
Specified Population
Prevention

Question 13

What are the three questions asked in Distribution of Health-related events

Answer 13

What- what health related event occurred

Who - who were affected (demographic groups, socioeconomic groups)

Where - where did the health - related event occur
(Community, town, city, parish, state, region, country)

Question 13

Define a determinant in Epidemiology

Answer 13

Any factor, whether event, characteristic, or other definable entity, that brings about change in a health condition or other defined characteristic

Question 13

What are the three determinants of health related events

Answer 13

Causes (aetiological agents)
Risk Factors
Mode of transmission