EPIDEMIOLOGY

Epidemiology



Introduction

Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Epidemiology aims to study the distribution and determinants of disease in the population. Infectious diseases are considered as a global phenomenon that affects large masses of the population. Epidemiology of Infectious diseases is a system of knowledge about the patterns of the epidemic process and methods of its study. It involves the aggregate anti-epidemic measures and undertakes the conduct to prevent infectious diseases of individual groups, aiming to reduce or if possible eliminate the incidence of infections of total population. Epidemiology emerged from the study of epidemics of infectious diseases, hence that how it got its name. Already in the twentieth century extended epidemiological studies of diseases and health problems analyze various methods, including those of demography and statistics that are considered especially important. (Moyses Szklo, 2007, page 400)DiscussionIdentifying Potential Spread by Epidemiology

Epidemiology can be used to identify the potential spread of these infectious diseases through various ways. This is done firstly through descriptive epidemiology, which is the, branch of epidemiology that describes the time, place and person, quantifying the frequency and distribution of the phenomenon through measures of incidence, prevalence and mortality, with the subsequent formulation of hypotheses. An infectious disease results from the interaction between an infectious agent, the host and environmental factors. The tasks of epidemiologist are many. Control and prevention of infectious diseases based on screening and treatment of detected cases, the individual or collective chemoprophylaxis, vector control approach control, improvement of living conditions and level of education of public health. Epidemiological surveillance system requires a continuous collection of information, systematic, fast and reliable. It must be able to raise the alarm if an epidemic occurs, and specify the elements and evolution.

The outbreak investigation is complementary to the previous task. It is based on surveys intended to investigate the circumstances on the ground and analyze the determinants of health problem. The purpose of these investigations is to propose recommendations for control and prevention of health problems involved. The epidemiologist is involved in technology assessment and prevention programs (both primary and secondary), and therapeutic strategies. The science of epidemics" is only part of modern epidemiology. Epidemiology can be used to identify the potential spread of these infectious diseases through analytic epidemiology that involves seeking, through observation or experimentation, to establish possible causal relationships between "factors" that individuals are exposed to, and populations and the diseases they have.

Other ways how epidemiology can be used to identify the potential spread of infectious disease involves searching, by controlling the conditions of the group to study, drawing conclusions more complex than the mere observation. Deals with the studies concerning human population and the environment they are exposed to. Spread of infectious diseases through epidemiology can be identified also through ecological tools, comprehensive studies of the surrounding of the people and how this can influence the evolution of diseases that occur as a result of this interaction. (Paciotti, Downes, Browning, Leibrand, 2008, page 5) This occurs as a result of the process of long-term dynamic change in the frequency, magnitude and distribution of morbidity and mortality of the ...