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Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Classically speaking
Epi = upon (among)
Demos = people
Ology = science
Epidemiology = the science which deals with what
falls upon people…..
A Modern Definition
“The study of the distribution and
determinants of health-related states in specified
populations, and the application of this study to
control health problems."
(Last
J)
consequences
and
to promote health and well-being of society as a whole.
Purposes of Epidemiology
1. To investigate nature / extent of health-related
phenomena in the community / identify priorities
2. To study natural history and prognosis of health-
related problems
3. To identify causes and risk factors
4. To recommend / assist in application of / evaluate
best interventions (preventive and therapeutic
measures)
5. To provide foundation for public policy
Component:
Generate hypothesis
Descriptive epidimiology
Determinants of Disease-
To test hypothesis
Analytic epidemiology
Help in
develop sound scientific
program
Terms to know
Endemic: constant presence of a disease in
a given population
epidemic: outbreak or occurrence of one
specific disease from a single source, in a
group population, community, or
geographical area, in excess of the usual level
of expectancy
pandemic: epidemic that is widespread
across a country, or large population, possible
worldwide
Epidemiology versus clinical medicine
Specific rate
Standardized rates
SPECIFIC DEATH RATES
The specific death rate may be:
a) cause or disease specific
B) related to specific groups like age
specific or sex-specific
PROPORTIONAL MORTALITY
RATE
Proportional Mortality rate from a
specific disease
Under-5 Proportional Mortality Rate
Proportional Mortalityfor a person aged
50 years and above
MEASUREMENT OF
MORBIDITY
INCIDENCE
PREVALENCE
Incidence
Host
Agent
Environment
Host Factors
Behaviors
Genetic
predisposition
Immunologic factors
Biological
Physical
Chemical
External conditions
.
The methods they employs can be classified as:
1. Observational studies
a. Descriptive studies
b. Analytical studies
– Case control studies
– Cohort studies
2. Experimental/interventional studies
– Randomized control studies
– Field trials
– Community trials
Descriptive observations pertain to the
“who, what, where and when of health-
related state occurrence”. However,
analytical observations deal more with the
‘how’ of a health-related event occur.
B Propagated epidemic
a. Person to person
b. Arthropod vector
c. Animal reservoir
C Slow epidemic
Periodic fluctuations;
a) Seasonal –measles (early spring)
b) cyclic- occur in cyclic order over a
short period of time which may be
days, weeks, months or years.
2. Matching
3. Measurement of exposure
CASE CONTROLS
EXPOSED A B
UNEXPOSED C D
assumptions:
● The disease being investigated is relatively rare
● The cases must be representative of those with the disease
● The controls must be representative of those without the
disease.
Odds ratio a.d/b.c
33X27/55X2 = 8.1
People who smoke 5 cigarettes per day