Epidemiological approach and methods

Epidemiology-2

1. Epidemiological Approach & Methods BY: Mr. Jagan Kumar Ojha MSC. Tutor, SNC, SO DTU

2. Epidemiological Approach The epidemiological investigation to health problems involves the two basic approaches: Asking questions Making comparisons

3. Asking Questions Epidemiology has been defined as a means of learning or asking questions.. and getting answers that lead to further questions. The key information can be approached through a series of questions. Related to health events What are the actual and potential health pr o b l e m s, it s m a ni f e stati on s an d characteristics ? Who are affected with reference to age, sex, social class..? Where did it occurs in terms of place ? Which populations are increased at risk?

4. Related to health events …. When does it happen in terms of day, month, season etc..? Why does it happen in terms of contributing or causative factors? Which problems have declined? Which problems are increasing or have the risk to increase?

5. Related to health action What can be done to reduce the problem and its consequences? How can it be prevented in the future? What action should be taken by the community/ by the health services/ other sectors to prevent and manage the problem?

6. Related to health action… Where and for whom these activities carried out? What resources are required in future? How are the activities to be organized? What difficulties may arise, and how it has to be overcome ?

7. This approach is to make comparisons and draw inferences. Comparison may be made : Between different population at a given time eg . Rural with urban population Between sub group of population eg . Male with female population Between various periods of observation eg . Different seasons b. Making Comparisons

8. b. Making Comparisons

9. Methods of Epidemiology

10. Methods of Epidemiology Epidemiological study requires systematic collection of health data, its analysis, description of health needs and health problems, identification of factors associated with the problems and stating the hypothesis.

11. Observational studies Observational studies are those in which people are observed in their natural state. The researchers simply "observe" a group of people without actually "doing" anything to the study group. People may be monitored overtime and significant details recorded, but no intervention is introduced. Methods of Epidemiology

12. Experimental studies Experimental studies, commonly referred to as clinical trials, are studies in which a treatment (or procedure) is intentionally introduced by the researcher/ epidemiologist and a result (or outcome) is observed. The aim of these types of studies is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment/ intervention in comparison with the current standard of care. Methods of Epidemiology