Session 1: Introduction Flashcards
Define epidemiology.
The study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such states, and the application of this knowledge to control health problems.
Define public health.
One of the efforts organised by society to protect, promote and restore the health of the population. It is a combination of science, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of the people collective and social action.
The programmes, services and institutions involved emphasise the prevention of disease and the health needs of the population as a whole.
It is a social institution, a discipline and practice as public health activities change with changing technology and social values but the goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death, discomfort and disability in the population.
Define biostatistics.
A branch of applied statistics that concerns application of statistical methods to medical and biological problems.
Discuss the origin of epidemiology with regards to Dr. John Snow.
In 1854, John Snow, noted almost all cases in a cholera outbreak in a certain area of London came from houses supplied with water by one particular water company. His removal of the handle from the pump supplying that water, Broad Street pump, in an effort to stem the epidemic, could be regarded as the single most famous act in epidemiology,
Discuss the origin of epidemiology with regards to the history of the HIV epidemic.
Epidemiology of HIV infection reveals that young adults aged 16-30 years have the highest incident of infection. Women also have a threefold higher risk of HIV infection than men, and that in the absence of prophylaxis, approximately 25% of children born to HIV positive mothers will be infected.
Name the three types of epidemiology.
- Analytical epidemiology
- Descriptive epidemiology
- Experimental epidemiology
Discuss descriptive epidemiology.
It describes the occurrence of disease and other health-related characteristics in human populations, classically with respect to person, place, and time.
Discuss analytical epidemiology.
It investigates the association between various factors and disease or health status to try and establish if those factors are causative or protective.
Discuss experimental epidemiology.
Researchers introduce a treatment or intervention to determine its effectiveness.
Discuss the role of pure scientists as epidemiologists.
They focus their energies on developing new techniques and finding out how the world works.
Discuss the role of public health officials as epidemiologists.
Lay down strict national health measures to control and monitor the spread of infectious diseases.
Discuss the concept of ethical conduct.
It is intended to provide guidance to investigators, health policy-makers, members of the ethical review committees, and others who have to deal with ethical issues that arise in epidemiology.
The guidelines are also intended to assist in the establishment of standards for ethical review of epidemiological studies. They offer specific guidance on a wide range of issues including informed consent, compensation for participation, benefits, harms and risks of study participation, research involving vulnerable persons, and equitable distribution of burdens and benefits in the selection of groups of subject in research.
Discuss the concept of community participation.
The active participation of people or their representatives in the conceptualisation, decision-making, implementation and dissemination of research project.
It may be unclear to some health researchers why community participation in matters requiring specialised knowledge and training is important, however, even through professionals may have expertise, they cannot know the daily demands of life are for the people in the communities.
Define an endemic.
A disease that is predominantly present in a specific region/ country/ population, e.g. malaria in some parts of Africa. The spread is more constant.
Define an epidemic.
The widespread occurrence of a disease within a region/country/population at a specific time. Many people are affected and the rate of infection is continuously increasing (the disease is actively spreading)
