public health/ethics/epidemiology

Question 1

List some of the possible causes of skin disease (9)

Answer 1

irritants 
allergens 
drugs 
internal disease 
genetic factors 
temp/humidity 
sunshine 
infections 
psychological factors

Question 2

List some of the different causes/varieties of rashes (10)

Answer 2

environmental 
inflammatory 
infection 
occupational 
iatrogenic 
infestation 
immunological 
systemic  related disease 
inherited 
many are multifactoral

Question 3

Define prevalence

Answer 3

The total number of cases (of a disease) within the population at any one time. eg. 25/10000 = 0.25%

Question 4

Define incidence

Answer 4

The number of new cases of a disease defined as the % of the population who develop the disease over a fixed period of time. eg 5% over 1 year

Question 5

Define illness behavior

Answer 5

“The ways in which given symptoms may be
differentially perceived, evaluated, acted
upon (or not acted upon) by different kinds
of person.”

Question 6

Define the meaning of disease, which model it fits with and what can be done with it

Answer 6

Disease is a pathological condition of the body
 objective & demonstrable
 fits with the “body as machine” model
 can be measured and quantified

Question 7

Define the meaning of illness, what it depends on and what is difficult about it

Answer 7

Illness is the experience of discomfort and
suffering
 subjective
 depends on the individual concerned, their
psychological & social situation, culture & belief
 hard to measure and quantify

Question 8

Be aware that with skin disease often comes with stigma attached to the disease e.g. the girl with the gross sores and that patients can often be labelled due to this disease i.e. recognised and known by the disease they have.

Answer 8

Appreciate this.

Question 9

How can stigma affect a patients quality of life ?

Answer 9

It can lead to 'social handicap', leading to Prejudice and discrimination E.g. racism, sexism, ageism
 Stigmatisation
 Ostracism
 Bullying
 Social exclusion
 Real adverse impact on a person’ life chances
and quality of life
 Impact on health inequalities

Hence can cause a reduced quality of life.

Question 10

Why is it important to having an understanding of stigma etc in general and specifically in relation to skin diseases?

Answer 10

Because the first impression you form of a patient as they walk through the door can be very powerful so to have an appreciation and understanding is therefore important.