Unit 09: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Epidemiology Flashcards
(True/False): Qualitative research methods are now used in epidemiology to better understand social, cultural, and behavioral factors affecting health.
True
____ is a tool used in epidemiology to predict and analyze the spread of diseases using mathematical equations and simulations
Mathematical modeling
What is the key difference between infectious and non-infectious diseases?
A) Infectious diseases spread via transmission and require herd immunity for control.
B) Infectious diseases only affect animals, while non-infectious diseases affect humans.
C) Infectious diseases are always more severe than non-infectious diseases.
A
What does the basic reproductive number (R0) represent?
The average number of secondary infections caused by a single infectious case introduced into a completely susceptible population.
An R0 > 1 indicates a(n) ________, while an R0 = 1 indicates the disease is ________.
epidemic, endemic
(True/False): The R0 value is a fixed number that does not vary between populations.
False (R0 is an average and can vary depending on factors like population density and contact rates).
The time interval between when a primary case becomes infectious and when a secondary case becomes infectious is called the ________
serial interval
Why do diseases with the same R0 (e.g., TB and chickenpox) spread at different rates?
Because their serial intervals differ, with chickenpox having a much shorter interval than TB, resulting in faster spread.
How does population density affect R0?
Higher population density increases the contact rate (C), potentially increasing R0.
The ____ model categorizes individuals into three groups: ____ (never exposed), ____ (currently infectious), and ____ (recovered and assumed immune).
SIR, susceptible, infectious, recovered
What is the key limitation of using average values in mathematical models?
Average values fail to capture heterogeneity in populations, such as super-spreaders or variations in biological and behavioral risk, leading to unrealistic models and inaccurate projections.
True/False): The SIR model assumes that all individuals in the recovered group remain immune for life.
True (although real-world situations may differ).
What are the four main considerations when building infectious disease models?
A) Defining host populations, including age distribution, focusing on non-infectious diseases, and assuming constant exposure risk.
B) Defining the host population, categorizing people in the model, determining transitions between states, and defining infection incidence based on exposure.
C) Estimating herd immunity, ignoring demographic factors, assuming uniform disease spread, and determining vaccination rates.
B
What are stochastic models, and how do they differ from deterministic models?
Stochastic models use parameters generated from distributions to account for variability in risk or transmission, while deterministic models rely on fixed averages or variance-weighted averages.
Which modeling approach uses variance-weighted averages to achieve more realistic simulations?
A) Structured models
B) Stochastic models
C) Deterministic approaches
C
(True/False): Serial intervals measure the time from when a primary case becomes infectious to when a secondary case becomes infectious, helping to estimate how quickly an epidemic grows.
True
Why is it important to account for heterogeneity (e.g., super-spreaders) in infectious disease models?
Ignoring heterogeneity can lead to unrealistic predictions and ineffective control strategies by failing to capture true dynamics of disease transmission.
Which of the following diseases is best modeled using an SIR model?
A) Non-infectious diseases like diabetes
B) Infectious diseases like measles or smallpox
C) Genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis
B
While ____ research involves quantifying factors and their relationships, ____ research focuses on detailed descriptions and understanding context
quantitative, qualitative
Quantitative research is generally ____ and ____-driven, aiming to confirm relationships between variables.
confirmatory, hypothesis
Qualitative research is often ____ or ____, focusing on generating theories and understanding the depth of issues.
exploratory, explanatory
(True/False): Qualitative research methods must always be paired with quantitative methods.
False (Qualitative methods can be standalone or integrated before/after quantitative studies).
Quantitative research tends to rely on ____-based sampling approaches, while qualitative research often uses ____ sampling.
probability, purposive
What is the purpose of thematic analysis in qualitative research?
A) To calculate numerical patterns in data.
B) To identify, analyze, and report patterns within data.
C) To transform qualitative data into quantitative formats.
B
In thematic analysis, ____ are labels assigned to pieces of text, which are then grouped into higher-level ____
codes, themes
