EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRIAD

1. AGENT .
2. HOST.
3. ENVIRONMENT
 AGENT
• AGENT: agent is a factor whose presence or
absence of diseases.

• DEFINITION: substances, living or non living

,force, tangible, intangible, the excessive
presence, or relative lack of which is the
immediate cause of particular disease.
 TYPES OF AGENT
1. PHYSICAL AGENT.
2. BIOLOGICAL AGENT.
3. CHEMICAL AGENT.
4. GENETIC FACTOR.
5. MECHANICAL AGENT.
6. NUTRIENT AGENT.
7. ABSENCE /EXCESS FACTOR.
 PHYSICAL AGENTS:

• Mechanical forces
• Friction
• Atmospheric abnormalities
• Extreme cold
• Humidity
• Pressure
• Radiation
• Sound
• Electricity.
PHYSICAL AGENTS
 Biological agents
• bacteria
• Viruses
• Rickettesia
• Chlamydia
• spirochetes
• Mycoplasma
• Protozoa
• Fungi
• Helminths.
 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
BACTERIA VIRUS
 CHEMICAL AGENTS

• Endogenous : urea, serum, bilirubin, ketones,

uric acid, calcium carbonate.
• Exogenous: allergies, metals, gases,
insecticides, ingestion, inoculation.
 CHEMICAL AGENTS
ENDOGENOUS EXOGENOUS
mechanical factors: chronic friction, mechanical force leads to injury, fractures,
sprain, and death.
Nutrient agent: proteins, fats, CHO, minerals,
vitamins excess or deficiency of intake.
GENETIC FACTORS: from parents through genes.
 OTHERS
• absence/excess: -chemical hormones.
ex: insulin, estrogen.
- nutrient.
- lack of structure
- chromosomes.
• immunoglobulinHormones
• Lack of part or structure
• Chromosomal factors
• Immunological factors
SOCIAL FACTORS
 SOCIAL FACTORS
• Poverty
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Social Isolation
 HOST FACTORS
• AGE: certain diseases are common in certain ages, ex:
measles, pertuses-children
DM,HTN,CVD-advanced age
atherosclerosis-old age.
- SEX: anatomical and hormonal difference between male
and female.
- Ex: breast cancer, cervical cancer –in females
lung cancer, prostate cancer – in males.
- RACE: some race is suffer from particular diseases
Ex: negroes- sickle cell anaemia.
HOST

Human being is referred

to as “ soil” and the
disease agent as “ seed”
DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
 BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
• Genetic factors
– Certain diseases are determined by genetic factors.
– Ex. Behavioural disorders, blood disorders.
• Immunity
- Previous immunization
- Acquired immunity
- Natural immunity
SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS
 SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS
• Education status
• Economic status
– Ex. Pneumoconiasis, Accidents, Brucellosis, dermatitis, ill
ness.
• Social status
– Ex 1: Low social status-TB, bronchitis
– Ex2: Upper social classes- lower mortality and morbidity
LIFE STYLE FACTORS
 LIFE STYLE FACTORS
• Habits :- Dietary pattern, use of tobacco,
alcohol, narcotic drugs.
Ex: Malnutrition, cancer, drug dependence, sexual
abuse.
• Customs :- Superstitions
– Ex : - Leprosy, epilepsy.
• Nutrition :- Malnutrition
. Human Mobility :- Frequent changes, convalescent person
transferred infection.
Ex: Malaria, Fileria, cholera, Aids, Syphilis.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
1. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
• Water
• Soil
• Air
• Heat
• Light
• Noise
• Housing
• Climate
Ex:- Water pollution, soil and air pollution
Ex:- Heavy flooding in the village.
BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
• bacteria
• Viruses
• Rickettesia
• Chlamydia
• spirochetes
• Mycoplasma
• Protozoa
• Fungi
• Helminths.
PSYCHO SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
 PSYCHO SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
• Cultural values
• Customs
• Beliefs
• Attitudes
• Morals
• Religion
– Ex:- conflicts, tensions,
behavioural disorders
 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
• Poverty
• Stress
• Lower classes
• Poor sanitation
• Improper disposal of waste
• Transmission of infection