biostatistics

1. Biostatistics
Course contents:
 Overview of biostatistics
 Variables and scales of measurements
 Techniques of Data presentation
 Descriptive statistics
 Central tendency
 Measures of dispersion
 Probability definition and laws.
 Probability distributions:Standard normal distribution
and its characteristics.
 Sampling distribution.
 Sampling methods (Simple, systematic, stratified ad
clusters).

2. Lecture 1- Introduction to Biostatistics
Objectives:
At the end of the session students should be able to:
Define statistics, biostatistics;
State some areas of health where statistics are
applied;
State at least three uses of statistics each in the field of Public
Health, Medicine and other relevant fields.
Discuss the role of statistics in health care delivery.
- explain the main uses of statistical methods.
in the broad field of health care.
- Illustrate how statistical principles and concepts are relevant
public health and medicine

3. Introduction to Biostatistics
• Statistics has three meanings:
The subject
Data
Summary measure(s)
(computed from sample)
• Statistics-the subject:
• Deals with collection, analysis and
interpretation of data.

4. • Statistics - Data: The term statistics is often
interchange-ably used as data e.g. health
manpower statistics.
• Statistics – Sample-based summary
measure:
• Any summary measure worked out using
sample data.
• for example: sample mean

5. • What is Biostatistics?
• Biostatistics: is a branch of statistics that is
applied to the biological sciences;
• It deals with collection, organization, analysis
and interpretation of biological data.
• Biostatistics mainly covers such fields as
Public health, Medicine, Nutrition, genetics
etc.

6. Why Biostatistics is important in Health Science?
Communities differ in:
social, cultural, epidemiological characteristics
Decision as to launching some community programs
needs to be arrived at.
Decisions are to be taken in the face of variation
Decision cannot be exact they always carry uncertainly.
This is probabilistic nature of Public Health
To act properly in the face of uncertainly [whatever be
the field – Medicine, PH, any other]
one needs to be conversant with statistics.

7. Role of statistics
Statistics helps in finding:
 the leading causes of death?
 the important causes of sickness?
 the disease trend.
 which age, sex, social class, profession or
place is most affected?
 the levels or standards of health reached.
 age and sex composition of population.
 whether a population is rising, falling, ageing or ailing.
 Priority health programs.

8. Why Health managers need to know statistics?
To be able to:
 Identify health problems
 Define health problems
 Interpret and draw inferences
 Use the resources in the best possible
way
 Monitor and evaluate health programs
 Conduct research

9. Why Health workers need to know
statistics?
 They are the primary generators of data
 For the benefit of their own practices
 For delivery of health care
 To give best advice to their patients about
how to avoid, or limit the effect of diseases
 To interpret, laboratory tests and bed - side
observations and measurements

10. Application and uses of Biostatistics
as a Science:
• Lab Science
• Physiology
• Anatomy
• Pharmacology
• Medicine
• Community medicine
• Public health
• Research