As per John M. Last (1988) Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
2. Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the basic science of community Medicine.
âEpiâ â among âdemosâ â people âlogosâ â study
Epidemiology means the study among people.
3. Definition of Epidemiology
â˘As per Perkins (1873) It is that branch of science
which treats of epidemics.
â˘As per Frost (1927) it is the science of mass
phenomenon of infectious disease.
â˘As per Greenwood (1934) The study of any
disease as a mass phenomena.
â˘As per MacMohan (960) The study of the
distribution and determinants of disease frequency
in man.
4. Definition of Epidemiology
As per John M. Last (1988) Epidemiology is the
study of the distribution and determinants of
health related states or events in specified
populations, and the application of this study to
the control of health problems.
5. Epidemiology often more concerned with the well-
being of society as a whole, than with the well-
being of individuals.
In these definition three components are common.
â˘Study of the disease frequency (frequency of
disease, disability or death and summarizing in the
form of rates and ratios).
â˘Study of the distribution (pattern of disease i.e.
time, place, person).
â˘Study of the determinants (underlying cause or risk
factors).
11. Difference of Epidemiology & Clinical Medicine
CLINICAL MEDICINE EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. The unit of study is case or cases 1. Unit of study is the population
2. Concerned with disease in
person
2. Concerned with disease pattern
in population bothsick &
healthy
3. Clinician gives diagnosis and
treatment & prognosis of the
case. The diagnostic techniques
are refined and modified
3. Epidemiologist is interested in
the source of infection,mode of
spread & trend of disease.
Evaluates the outcome of
preventive & therapeutic
measure & give clue to
administratorfor effective
management
4. The patient goes to the clinician. 4. Epidemiologist goes to the
community.
16. Uses of Epidemiology
1. In health care management
⢠Making Community diagnosis
⢠Planning and evaluation of health services.
⢠Developing health policies.
2. Understanding disease process
⢠Studying natural history of disease.
⢠Searching for causes and risk factors.
⢠Historic studies of rise & fall of disease.
⢠Identification of syndromes.
17. Uses of Epidemiology
3. Uses in public health practice
⢠Investigation of epidemics
⢠Surveillance of disease
⢠Making projection for future
⢠Formulating medical teaching curricular
4. Assisting in Clinical Practice
⢠Assessing effectiveness of treatment modalities
⢠Assessing effectiveness of preventive modalities
⢠Studying prognostic factor
⢠Studying effectiveness of diagnostic modalities
⢠Assisting in clinical decision making
⢠Indispensable for basic planning, conducting and analysing clinical research
21. Exotic â Infection is imported from outside.
Zoonoses â Infectious disease of animals transmitted to man.
Eg. Rabies, plague
Carrier â A person or animal who harbouring specific
infectious agent without showing signs and symptoms of
the disease.
Communicable disease â Illness transferred directly or
indirectly from the sick to the healthy person.
Surveillance â The continuous scrutiny of the factors that
determine the occurrence and distribution of disease and
other conditions of ill health.
Eradication â Termination of all transmission of infection by
extermination of infectitious agent through surveillance and
containment.