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Mettu University Faculty of Public Health and Medical Science

This document is a lecture note on biostatistics for MPH students. It defines key terms like statistics, biostatistics, and statistical data and methods. It discusses the importance and limitations of statistics as well as the rationale and uses of biostatistics in public health and medicine.

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334 views15 pages

Mettu University Faculty of Public Health and Medical Science

This document is a lecture note on biostatistics for MPH students. It defines key terms like statistics, biostatistics, and statistical data and methods. It discusses the importance and limitations of statistics as well as the rationale and uses of biostatistics in public health and medicine.

Uploaded by

DAWIT
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Mettu University

Faculty of Public Health and Medical Science

Biostatistics Lecture Note


for
MPH Students

By Ebissa Negera(MPH. Assistant Professor, PhD


Fellow)
08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 1
Chapter One
Introduction to Statistics
Learning objectives
After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:
Define Statistics and Biostatistics
Enumerate the importance and limitations of statistics

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 2


Introduction
Definition
The term statistics is used to mean either statistical data or
statistical methods.
Statistical data: refers to numerical descriptions of things.
 These descriptions may take the form of counts or
measurements.
Eg The statistics of malaria cases in one of malaria detection and
treatment posts of Ethiopia include fever cases, number of
positives obtained, sex and age distribution of positive cases, etc.
NB Even though statistical data always denote figures
(numerical descriptions) it must be remembered that all
'numerical descriptions' are not statistical data.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 3


Characteristics of statistical data
In order that numerical descriptions may be called statistics they
must possess the following characteristics:
1. They must be in aggregates
This means that statistics are 'number of facts.' A single fact, even
though numerically stated, cannot be called statistics.
2. They must be affected to a marked extent by a multiplicity of
causes. This means that statistics are aggregates of such facts only
as grow out of a ' variety of circumstances'.
Thus the explosion of outbreak is attributable to a number of
factors, Viz., Human factors, parasite factors, mosquito and
environmental factors.
All these factors acting jointly determine the severity of the
outbreak and it is very difficult to assess the individual contribution
of any one of these factors.
08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 4
3. They must be enumerated or estimated
according to a reasonable standard of
accuracy.
 This means that if aggregates of numerical
facts are to be called 'statistics' they must be
reasonably accurate.
 This is necessary because statistical data are
to serve as a basis for statistical investigations.
 If the basis happens to be incorrect the results
are bound to be misleading.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 5


4. They must be collected in a systematic manner for
a predetermined purpose.
Facts collected in an unsystematic manner and
without a complete awareness of the object, will be
confusing and cannot be made the basis of valid
conclusions.
5. They must be placed in relation to each other.
That is, they must be comparable.
 Numerical facts may be placed in relation to each
other either in point of time, space or condition.
The phrase, ‘placed in relation to each other'
suggests that the facts should be comparable.
08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 6
Statistical methods:
• refers to a body of methods that are used for collecting,
organizing, analyzing and interpreting numerical data for
understanding a phenomenon or making wise decisions.
• In this sense it is a branch of scientific method and helps
us to know in a better way the object under study.

The branch of modern statistics that is most relevant to


public health and clinical medicine is statistical
inference.
 Inferential statistics builds upon descriptive statistics.
 The inferences are drawn from particular properties of
sample to particular properties of population.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 7


Rationale of studying statistics
 Statistics pervades a way of organizing information on
a wider and more formal basis than relying on the
exchange of outlines and personal experience

 More and more things are now measured


quantitatively in medicine and public health.

 There is a great deal of intrinsic (inherent) variation in


most biological processes.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 8


 Public health and medicine are becoming
increasingly quantitative
 The planning, conduct, and interpretation of
much of medical research are becoming
increasingly reliant on statistical technology.
 Statistics provides the medical literature.
 "It is the interpretation of data in the presence of
such variability that lays at the heart of
statistics."

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 9


Limitations of statistics
 It deals with only those subjects of inquiry that are
capable of being quantitatively measured and
numerically expressed.
 It deals on aggregates of facts and no importance is
attached to individual items–suited only if their
group characteristics are desired to be studied.
 Statistical data are only approximately and not
mathematically correct.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 10


Biostatistics:
 The application of statistical methods to the fields of
biological and medical sciences.
 Concerned with interpretation of biological data & the
communication of information derived from these
data
 Has central role in medical investigations

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 11


• The numbers must be presented in such a way that
valid interpretations are possible

• Statistics are everywhere – just look at any


newspaper or the current medical and public health
literature.

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 12


Uses of biostatistics
• Provide methods of organizing information
• Assessment of health status
• Health program evaluation
• Resource allocation
• Magnitude of association
– Strong vs weak association between exposure and
outcome

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 13


Uses of biostatistics…
• Assessing risk factors
– Cause & effect relationship
• Evaluation of a new vaccine or drug
– What can be concluded if the proportion of people
free from the disease is greater among the
vaccinated than the unvaccinated?
– How effective is the vaccine (drug)?
– Is the effect due to chance or some bias?
• Drawing of inferences
– Information from sample to population

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 14


Thank you!!

08/23/20 Biostatistics Lecture(MeU) 15

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