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Introduction To Epidemiology

This document provides an introduction to epidemiology. It defines epidemiology as the study of factors that determine the occurrence and distribution of disease in a population. The document then briefly discusses the history of epidemiology, including contributions from Hippocrates, William Farr, and John Snow. It outlines the core components of epidemiology as disease frequency, distribution, and determinants. Finally, it lists the core functions of epidemiology as public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, linkages, and policy development.

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Jhon Albert Robledo
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58 views

Introduction To Epidemiology

This document provides an introduction to epidemiology. It defines epidemiology as the study of factors that determine the occurrence and distribution of disease in a population. The document then briefly discusses the history of epidemiology, including contributions from Hippocrates, William Farr, and John Snow. It outlines the core components of epidemiology as disease frequency, distribution, and determinants. Finally, it lists the core functions of epidemiology as public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, linkages, and policy development.

Uploaded by

Jhon Albert Robledo
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION TO EPIDEMIOLOGY Hyginus Christian Paul T.

Aguiluz, RMT, MLS (Ascpi)


EPIDEMIOLOGY
Is the basic science of community medicine.
Defined as the study of factors that determine the occurrence and distribution of
disease in a population.
Comes from the Greek word “epi” means “upon” or “among” demos “people” or
“population; and logos “study”
Simply means the study among people 
BRIEF HISTORY
Circa 400 B.C.
Hippocrates
• attempted to explain disease occurrence from a rational rather than a supernatural viewpoint.
• In his essay entitled “On Airs, Waters, and Places,” Hippocrates suggested that environmental and host factors such
as behaviors might influence the development of disease.
1800
William Farr-
• systematically collecting and analyzing Britain’s mortality statistics.
• Farr, considered the father of modern vital statistics and surveillance

1854
John Snow
• “Father of field epidemiology.”
• Demonstrated through epidemiologic studies that water could serve as a vehicle for transmitting cholera and that
epidemiologic information could be used to direct prompt and appropriate public health action.
COMPONENTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. Disease frequency (rate or ratio)
2. Distribution of disease (Time, place & person)
3. Determinants of disease ( Cause or risk factors)
CORE FUNCTIONS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. Public Health Surveillance
• ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data to help guide public health decision
making and action.
• Is equivalent to monitoring the pulse of the community Surveillance Cycle:
• The purpose is called “Information for action”

2. Field Investigation
• Identification of unreported or unrecognized ill person who might otherwise continue the spread of infection.
• Objective is to learn more about the natural history, clinical spectrum, and risk factors of the disease
before determining what disease intervention methods might be appropriate.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
3. Analytic Studies
• Often the methods are used in combination — with surveillance and field investigations providing clues or hypotheses about
causes and modes of transmission, and analytic studies evaluating the credibility of those hypotheses.
• The hallmark of an analytic epidemiologic study is the use of a valid comparison group.
 Design includes determining the appropriate research strategy and study design, writing justifications and protocols,
calculating sample sizes, deciding on criteria for subject selection (e.g., developing case definitions), choosing an appropriate
comparison group, and designing questionnaires.
Conduct involves securing appropriate clearances and approvals, adhering to appropriate ethical principles, abstracting
records, tracking down and interviewing subjects, collecting and handling specimens, and managing the data.
Analysis begins with describing the characteristics of the subjects. It progresses to calculation of rates, creation of
comparative tables (e.g., two-by-two tables), and computation of measures of association (e.g., risk ratios or odds ratios),
tests of significance (e.g., chi-square test), confidence intervals, and the like. Many epidemiologic studies require more
advanced analytic techniques such as stratified analysis, regression, and modeling.
Finally, interpretation involves putting the study findings into perspective, identifying the key take-home messages, and
making sound recommendations. Doing so requires that the epidemiologist be knowledgeable about the subject matter and
the strengths and weaknesses of the study.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
4. Evaluation
• is the process of determining, as systematically and objectively as possible, the relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of activities with respect to established goals.

Effectiveness refers to the ability of a program to produce the intended or expected results in the field; effectiveness
differs from efficacy, which is the ability to produce results under ideal conditions.

Efficiency refers to the ability of the program to produce the intended results with a minimum expenditure of time and
resources.

5. Linkages
6. Policy development
 The definition of epidemiology ends with the following phrase: “…and the application of this study to the control of health
problems.”
AIMS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
According to IEA (International Epidemiological Association),
• To describe the distribution & magnitude of health and disease problems in
human population.
• To identify the etiological factors and risk factors in pathogenesis of disease.
•To provide data essential to planning implementation & evaluation of services
for prevention, control and treatment of diseases and setting of priorities
among the services.
THANK YOU! QUIZ NEXT MEETING 

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