Podcast
Questions and Answers
Epidemiology solely focuses on the study of disease states like cholera and pneumonia.
Epidemiology solely focuses on the study of disease states like cholera and pneumonia.
False
Primary prevention aims to identify diseases through health screening and detection activities.
Primary prevention aims to identify diseases through health screening and detection activities.
False
Secondary prevention is designed to block disease progression and prevent further disability after it has been detected though screening.
Secondary prevention is designed to block disease progression and prevent further disability after it has been detected though screening.
True
Tertiary prevention aims at preventing the initial onset of a disease using methods like immunizations.
Tertiary prevention aims at preventing the initial onset of a disease using methods like immunizations.
Signup and view all the answers
An epidemic is characterized by the constant presence of a disease at a steady rate within a population.
An epidemic is characterized by the constant presence of a disease at a steady rate within a population.
Signup and view all the answers
An epidemic that spreads across multiple continents is termed a sporadic.
An epidemic that spreads across multiple continents is termed a sporadic.
Signup and view all the answers
A cluster refers to an accumulation of cases that are less than the number expected in an area within a specific time frame.
A cluster refers to an accumulation of cases that are less than the number expected in an area within a specific time frame.
Signup and view all the answers
Epidemiology is used to monitor the health of a population.
Epidemiology is used to monitor the health of a population.
Signup and view all the answers
The prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases by the total population count.
The prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases by the total population count.
Signup and view all the answers
Incidence rate is a measure that tracks the number of existing cases.
Incidence rate is a measure that tracks the number of existing cases.
Signup and view all the answers
Morbidity refers to the state of being mortal.
Morbidity refers to the state of being mortal.
Signup and view all the answers
A disease outbreak is a larger scale event that spans multiple continents.
A disease outbreak is a larger scale event that spans multiple continents.
Signup and view all the answers
A morbidity rate examines the prevalence of a disease across a population or geographical area during a calendar year.
A morbidity rate examines the prevalence of a disease across a population or geographical area during a calendar year.
Signup and view all the answers
Mortality rate refers to the rate of a disease in a population.
Mortality rate refers to the rate of a disease in a population.
Signup and view all the answers
Epidemiology studies mainly fit into four categories: descriptive, analytical, experimental and interventional.
Epidemiology studies mainly fit into four categories: descriptive, analytical, experimental and interventional.
Signup and view all the answers
Descriptive studies are often used to identify potential risks of disease to study in analytical or interventional designs.
Descriptive studies are often used to identify potential risks of disease to study in analytical or interventional designs.
Signup and view all the answers
If individuals who were exposed to smoke were 3 times more likely to get lung cancer versus non-exposed individuals in a 10-year period, this is an example of a test-retest reliability calculation.
If individuals who were exposed to smoke were 3 times more likely to get lung cancer versus non-exposed individuals in a 10-year period, this is an example of a test-retest reliability calculation.
Signup and view all the answers
Test-retest reliability is tested by having the same participants complete a survey at three different time points.
Test-retest reliability is tested by having the same participants complete a survey at three different time points.
Signup and view all the answers
The most frequent form of reliability test in surveys is the test-retest method.
The most frequent form of reliability test in surveys is the test-retest method.
Signup and view all the answers
Intra-observer reliability measures the comparison between two measurements with separate observers.
Intra-observer reliability measures the comparison between two measurements with separate observers.
Signup and view all the answers
When conducting test-retest, it's imperative to ensure that the items or scales are measuring variables that are likely to change over a short period of time to ensure accurate reliability interpretation.
When conducting test-retest, it's imperative to ensure that the items or scales are measuring variables that are likely to change over a short period of time to ensure accurate reliability interpretation.
Signup and view all the answers
A questionnaire option stating 'Every 3 to 5 hours' indicates a higher frequency than 'Every 12 to 24 hours'.
A questionnaire option stating 'Every 3 to 5 hours' indicates a higher frequency than 'Every 12 to 24 hours'.
Signup and view all the answers
In alternate-form reliability testing, changing the question's wording is never allowed.
In alternate-form reliability testing, changing the question's wording is never allowed.
Signup and view all the answers
Two survey items measuring the same attribute should have the same level of difficulty.
Two survey items measuring the same attribute should have the same level of difficulty.
Signup and view all the answers
In an assessment examining loneliness, 'All of the time' and 'Never' are equivalent options to 'Every day' and 'Never' when comparing two versions of a questionnaire.
In an assessment examining loneliness, 'All of the time' and 'Never' are equivalent options to 'Every day' and 'Never' when comparing two versions of a questionnaire.
Signup and view all the answers
In alternate-form reliability, it is acceptable to have different levels of difficulty between two different questionnaire questions that are measuring the same attribute.
In alternate-form reliability, it is acceptable to have different levels of difficulty between two different questionnaire questions that are measuring the same attribute.
Signup and view all the answers
When a boss blames an employee for something they did not do, a response of 'Some of the time' is completely equivalent to a response of 'Sometimes', in a different questionnaire version.
When a boss blames an employee for something they did not do, a response of 'Some of the time' is completely equivalent to a response of 'Sometimes', in a different questionnaire version.
Signup and view all the answers
In the split-halves method, one item should be administered to each half of the sample.
In the split-halves method, one item should be administered to each half of the sample.
Signup and view all the answers
The split-halves method can only be used if there is an even number of participants.
The split-halves method can only be used if there is an even number of participants.
Signup and view all the answers
In alternate-form reliability testing, the comparison between different versions should only occur immediately after both forms have been administered.
In alternate-form reliability testing, the comparison between different versions should only occur immediately after both forms have been administered.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Epidemiology Statistics Overview
- Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations.
- This involves the application of this towards the prevention and control of health problems (diseases).
- Key figures like AIDS, caused by HIV, illustrate real-world examples.
- Globally, an average of 39.9 million people were affected by AIDS in 2023, with 1.4 million being children under 15.
- Estimated AIDS-related deaths in 2023 stood at 630,000.
Epidemiology and Public Health
- Epidemiology is integral to public health practice and individual decision-making.
- It plays a role in monitoring population health, responding to emerging public health problems through disease investigation, promoting research and evidence-based interventions, evaluating public health programs, setting research priorities, and determining priorities for public health action.
- Epidemiological methods include monitoring the health of a population, responding to emerging public health problems, promoting research, evaluating existing programs, setting funding priorities, establishing research priorities, targeting interventions, studying the natural history of diseases, and surveillance of disease occurrence.
- Disease distribution is not random in populations.
Types of Epidemics
- Endemic: Diseases consistently present within a population at predictable rates. Examples include malaria in Africa and chickenpox in the US.
- Epidemic: A sudden increase in disease cases exceeding the expected normal rate. For instance, the SARS event.
- Pandemic: Widespread epidemic spreading across multiple countries or continents in human populations. Examples include HIV/AIDS in the early 20th century and COVID-19 in 2020.
- Outbreak: A sudden increase in case numbers but within a localized geographic area, like an Ebola outbreak in a region.
- Sporadic: infrequently occurring diseases within a community.
- Cluster : an aggregation of cases that exceed the expected number in a particular place and time.
Levels of Prevention
- Primary prevention aims to prevent diseases before they occur by promoting health, providing health education, and implementing health protection measures (lifestyle, good behavioral practices, proper nutrition, and sanitation).
- Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening to halt disease progression and prevent further impairment or disability.
- Tertiary prevention aims to mitigate further impairment or disability for those already affected by the disease, providing rehabilitation and support services.
Epidemiological Investigations
- Epidemiologic investigations involve descriptive and analytical methods for identifying determinants of diseases within a population (using frequencies, rates, proportions, percentages, geographical locations, ethnicity, and time).
- Example: In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported cases of pneumonia in young men, and later classified this illness as AIDS linked to HIV.
Data Types
- Risk factor: A condition associated with an increased probability of a health-related state (e.g., smoking increases risk of chronic diseases).
Measuring Disease Frequency
- Morbidity: The unhealthy state of an individual or population
- Mortality: The state of being dead in an individual or population
- Data points like rates of death and cases are measures of disease frequency.
Study Designs
- Descriptive Studies: They can include case reports or series (individual-based data), cross-sectional studies (population-based), and correlational studies.
- Analytical Studies: Analytical designs include cohort and case-control studies.
- Interventional Study Designs: These employ the same approach as experimental designs, with subjects being randomly assigned to different intervention groups.
Study Timeframes
- Prospective Studies: look forward in time to study future events, following a specific condition or disease to the future.
- Retrospective Studies: look back in time to study past events that have already taken place.
Validity and Reliability
- Reliability: (or robustness) describes the degree of stability when a measurement is repeated under identical conditions. Measurements are considered reliable if they correlate well under those conditions. Factors like divergence between observers or instruments, and instability in the measured attribute, can undermine reliability. Reliability assesses instruments for test-retest, alternate-form, and internal consistency.
- Validity: a measure of the accuracy of data obtained using a particular method. Face, content, criterion, and construct validity are commonly assessed components to confirm accuracy.
Calculating Prevalence and Incidence Rates
- Prevalence Rate: (P): The total number of cases during a specified time period divided by the total number of people in the population.
- Incidence Rate: (IR): The number of new cases during a specified time period divided by the total person-time at risk.
Calculating Odds Ratios / Relative Risk
- Relative Risk: (RR): This compares the risk of an event in one group to that of another.
- Odds Ratio: (OR): It compares the odds of an event occurring in one group with the odds of it happening in another group.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in epidemiology, including disease prevention levels and rates of morbidity and incidence. This quiz covers definitions, classifications, and characteristics of diseases and epidemics. Perfect for students and health professionals alike!
