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OKETADE SOA
INTRODUCTION The science of epidemiology has matured significantly from the times of Hippocrates and john snow [physician] that the techniques for analysing data vary depending on the type of dxs being monitored but each study will have similarities. environmental factors can influence the occurrence of the diseases. epidemiology study of what is upon the people Derived from the greek terms epi=upon,among. demos=people, district. Logos study, word.
DEFINITION OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology is the study of distribution and determinant of health related state or event in a specified human population and the application of this study to the control of health problem.
Distribution : Frequency (including rates & risks) & pattern of health events(person, place, time) Determinants : factors or events that are capable of bringing about a change in health Human population : Epidemiology examines health events among population groups rather than individuals.
Health related states: infections, chronic diseases & physiological events &various states of health such as disability, injury, mortality Health related events : immunization, hospital attendance, bed occupancy Application : basis for directing interventions
CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION(CONT.)
CORRELATIONAL
Case Series
Advantages
Useful for hypothesis generation Informative for very rare disease with few established risk factors Usually of short duration.
Disadvantages
Cannot study cause and effect relationships Cannot assess disease frequency
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CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
It is also called epidemiologic study or prevalence study It analyses (describes)data collected on a group of subjects at one point in time rather than over a period of time. i.e they survey exposure and disease at a single point in time. Both exposure and outcome variables are been evaluated at the same point in time(without any inbuilt directionality) Most sophisticated descriptive study It answers the question WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
subjects
time
end
CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
ADV Best for determining the status quo(prevalence) Quick Relatively inexpensive DISADV Only a snapshot at a time leading to a misinformation Response rate may be low ,with result not representative of the population
Cross-sectional studies
Disadvantages
Weakest observational design, (it measures prevalence, not incidence of disease). Prevalent cases are survivors The temporal sequence of exposure and effect may be difficult or impossible to determine Usually dont know when disease occurred Rare events a problem. Quickly emerging diseases a problem
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ANALYTICAL STUDIES
Two basic designs: Case control or retrospective study Cohort or prospective NOTE There must be a comparison group No control No conclusion(NCNC)
COHORT STUDY
A cohort is a grp of people who have something in common and remain part of a group over an extended time A group of people exposed to a suspected etiological agent are compared with a matched control who have not been similarly exposed. Subject selected on the basis of exposure [aetiological factor; cigarette smoking] Follow-up over a period to compare the outcome Also a longitudinal study or prospective study
ADVANTAGES OF COHORT
There is no bias The risk can be calculated bcos the incidence can be calculated It is effective for studying rare exposures It allows the study of the natural history of the disease It assists in determining the temporal relationship between the etiological factor & the disease
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
Studies in which 1 grp is deliberately subjected to an experience compared with a control group with no similar experience The gold standard in medicine bcos it proves causality Can be controlled or uncontrolled
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
ADV Best study type Greatest proove of causality Gold standard for other design Least bias Proves best tx or procedure efficacy DISADV Greatest expense Long duration Unproven facts adopted by community can hinder study acceptance
overview
CONCLUSION
What you cant measure you cant control!epidemiological study methods are used to study your health and my health and its determinants, as we join hands to ensure a healthier us.