2. Epidemiology
• Is the basic science of preventive & social med
• It began with Adam & eve both tried to investigate
the qualities of “forbidden fruit”
• Derived from word epidemic
epi = among
demos= people
logos= study
3. Epidemiology has been defined as
“ means of learning or asking questions..
and getting answers ,that lead to further
questions”
• Epidemiological information is used
to plan strategies to prevent illness
4. following question can be asked in
Epidemiology
What is the event/ problem ?
What is the magnitude of problem?
When did it happen ?
Where did it happen?
Who are affected ?
Why did it happen?
5. John M. Last in 1988 defined-
• Epidemiology “The Study of the distribution
and determinants of health related state or
events in specified populations,
And
application of this study to control & prevent
the health problems”
Modern epidemiology deals with “facts of life”
6. What is health related events?
• Are all the conditions of spectrum of health
such as---------
• disease,
• injury,
• disability and
• death among the population.
7. What is distribution?
• It is pattern of occurrence of disease with
reference to-
Time .
Place.
Person
8. Study distribution helps-
• This helps to study trend of diseases.
• Helps to know the magnitude of problem.
• Gives clues of etiology, mode of transmission.
• Helps to formulate etiological hypothesis.
(Descriptive epidemiology)
9. What is determinants ?
• This is etiological risk factors.
like…..age, sex, obesity, occupation…
• Study helps to test etiological hypothesis.
(this is analytical epidemiology)
10.
11.
12. What is frequency?
• Means measuring the magnitude /extent of
health problems in terms of morbidity and
mortality rates,.. that helps for comparison.
• Morbidity rates- Incidence & prevalence.
• Mortality rates- Rates, Ratio, and proportion.
13. Application of epidemiology-
• To search causes of diseases.
• To determine probability/risk of disease.
• To describe health status of population.
• To control the diseases.
• To plan health programs.
• To evaluate health programs.
14. Objectives of epidemiology-
• To reduce incidence & prevalence of diseases.
• It help to eradicate/ eliminate the diseases.
• To promote health and well being of society.
15. Epidemiological approach-
• What is the event?
• When & where did the disease occur?
• Who are affected?
• What is the extent of problem?
• What is to be done to reduce the problem?
• Why did it occur?
• How can it be prevented in future?
