Lesson 2 Flashcards
Epidemiology
the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations and is the principal science of public health.
Descriptive Epidemiology
Investigations of disease pattern in the community. Person (who) place (where) time (when)
Analytic epidemiology
investigation of the cause of disease, or etiogoly.
Prevalence
Number of existing cases that are found in a population at any given point in time. Total cases new and existing
Incidence
New cases within the at-risk population.
Epidemiological triangle
agent, host, environment
Host
age, sex, race, genetic profile, previous diseases, immune status, religion, customs, occupation, marital status, family background
Enviornment
temperature, humidity, altitude, crowding, housing, neighborhood, water, milk, food, radiation, pollution, noise
Agent
biological (bacteria or viruses), chemical (poison, alcohol, smoke), physical (trauma, radiation, fire), nutritional (lack, excess)
Descriptive epidemiology
focuses on the amount and distribution of health and health problems within a population (person, place, and thing0
Retrospective cohort study
Comparison of those who have a particular disease or not. Data collection extends back in time.
Analytic epidemiology
Investigates the causes of disease by determining why a disease rate is lower in one population group than in another.
Cross sectional study
Measures the cause (exposure) and the effect (disease) at the same point in time. Pros can establish the disease prevalence bit not incidence.
Prospective cohort study
Monitors a group of disease-free individuals to determine whether and when a disease occurs.
Randomized clinical trial
A scientific experiment that compares the effects of different treatments or interventions by randomly assigning participants to groups.
Correlations
Statistical measures that describe the relationship between two varables.
Casuality
Direct cause and effect relationship between two variables
Six criteria that establish the existence of cause-and-effect relationship
Strength of association, dose response relationship, temporally correct relationship, biological plausibility, consistency with other studies, specificity.
Applications of epidemiology in community-oriented nursing
Nurse epidemiologist, school nurses, communicable disease nurse, outpatient nurses, hospital infections control nurse, all nursing documentation on patient charts and records is an important source of data for epidemiological reviews.
Surveillance
Mechanism for the ongoing collection of community health information. Essential to effective and responsive public health programs.
Census Data
changes in an area over time. Done every 10 years. Provide data on demographic variables and workforce.
Vital statistics
Official registration records of births, death, marriages, divorces, and adoptions from the basis of data in vital statistics. Reported by local and state agencies such as the WA state department of health. Complied annually.
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Local, regional, and state government reports. Locally generated data collection. Analysis of demographic information provides descriptive information about the population.
Needs Assessment
Used to understand the community’s perspective. Interview key community informants. Use community forums, focus groups, or surveys. 12 steps in a needs assessment.
Needs assessment steps
- Identify aggregate for assessment
- Engage the community in planning the assessment
- Identify required information
- Select method of data gathering
- Develop questionnaires or interview questions
- Develop procedures for data collection
- Train data collectors
- Arrange for a sample representative of the aggregate
- Conduct needs assessment
- Tabulate and analyze data
- Identify needs suggested by data
- Develop an action plan.
Developing a community diagnosis, includes four components
Identification of health problem or risk. affected aggregate or community. Etiological or casual statement. the evidence to support the diagnosis.
Format for community diagnosis
Increased risk of disability, disease among community or population related to etiological statement as demonstrated in health indicators.
Equality
The assumption is that everyone benefits from the same supports. This is equal treatment.
Equity
Everyone gets the supports they need. (this is the concept of affirmative action), thus producing equity.
Disparity
the result of inequity. Health differences that are linked to social, economic and environmental disadvantages.
Justice
Everyone gets supports or accommodations. the causes of the inequity are addressed.
Inequity
Health disparity that is unfair and unjust.
Rural
towns with a population of less than 2500 people or in open county
Health disparities of rural regions
People leave, services are lost, local drug stores close, tax base becomes insufficient, fewer services are provided, long distance to get health care, jobs become scarce and more people leave, the cycle continues.
Perception of health
Rural men and youths are more likely to die or become disabled from unintentional injuries, more likely to commit suicide
African Americans and elderly attend less cancer screenings, more late-stage diagnosis
Hispanic populations are most likely to report barriers.
Migrant
those who migrate to find work. Farmworkers in the US
Seasonal
Reside permanently in one place and work locally when farm labor is needed. Work various jobs
Immigrant
Person who migrates from another county and permanently relocates
Refugee
Person who has been welcomed legally
Asylee
Have not been granted legal rights yet
Undocumented
Person who is not legal in the US
Migrant worker
Person who moves around for job purposes
