Uses of epidemiology

Epidemiology

1. Uses of epidemiology Dr Basavaraj Mannapur S N Medical College , Bagalkot

2. USES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY EPIDEMIOLOGY IS “A MEANS OF LEARNING, OR ASKING QUESTIONS AND GETTING ANSWERS THAT LEAD TO FURTHER QUESTIONS”. J.N.MORRIS HAS IDENTIFIED THE SEVEN DISTINCT USES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

3. 1. To study historically the rise & fall of disease Winston Churchill said: The farther back you look, the farther forward you can see Study the history of the disease Health & disease are not constant Fluctuations both over short & long periods of time

4. Old diseases are conquered, new diseases are identified Provides a means to study disease profile & time trends in human population By study of trends, we can make useful projections into the future Identify emerging health problems

5. 2. Community diagnosis Identification & quantification of health problems in a community in terms of mortality & morbidity rates & ratios Identification of their correlates for the purpose of defining those individuals at risk By quantification: priorities in disease prevention & control For evaluation of health services Source of new knowledge about disease distribution, causation and prevention

6. Understanding of the social, cultural and environmental characteristics of the community

7. 3 Planning & evaluation Essential for allocation of limited resources Eg : too many hospitals have been built and equipped without knowledge of disease problems Epidemiological information about the distribution of health problems provides basis for planning & developing the needed health services Planning facilities for medical care Eg : No. of hospital beds required for specific disease, health manpower planning Planning facilities for preventive services: Eg -Screening programmes , Immunization campaign, Planning for research

8. Measures taken to control or prevent the disease must be followed by an evaluation To find out whether the measures undertaken are effective in reducing the frequency of the disease All health services have to be evaluated The development of RCT has made it possible to evaluate treatment modalities Such trials have raised doubts about utility of multiphasic screening, prolonged hospitalization of MI Not enough to know that the programme provides some benefit we need to know how much benefit & at what risk & cost

9. 4. Evaluation of individual risk & chances To make a statement about degree of risk The epidemiologist calculate Incidence rates, specific rates which are measures of absolute risk also calculates relative risk & attributable risk for a factor related to the cause of disease Eg : Risk of some hereditary disorders are examples of evaluating individual risk and chances Risk assessment for smokers & non smokers, Cancer, CHD

10. 5. Syndrome identification Identified by observing frequently associated findings Epidemiological investigations can be used to define & redefine syndromes By observation of groups, such studies have been able to correct misconceptions concerning syndromes

11. 5. Completing the natural history of the disease The epidemiologist by studying the disease pattern in relation to epi . Triad is in a better position to fill up the gaps in natural history of disease Eg : atherosclerosis Recognition that 1/3 to 2/3 of all deaths due to IHD are sudden, occur in < 1hr Hospital studies could never have come to this conclusion Led to the development of ICCU

12. Epidemiological investigations have yielded large amount of data on risk factors in relation to chronic disease

13. 7. Searching for causes & risk factors Tried to identify the causes of disease Rubella is the cause of congenital defects in newborn Thalidomide is a teratogenic agent Cigarette smoking is the cause of lung cancer Search for the risk factors in non communicable diseases

14. RUBELLA IS THE CAUSE OF CONGENITAL DEFECTS IN NEW BORN EXPOSURE OF PREMATURE BABIES TO O 2 IS THE CAUSE OF RLF.