Measures of disease frequency
Definition and types of epidemiology, ratio, proportion, rate, prevalence, incidence, case fatality ratio
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Question 1
What is the primary focus of epidemiology?
Explanation
Epidemiology's primary focus is on the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a type of epidemiology?
Explanation
While descriptive, analytical, and environmental epidemiology are recognized types, experimental epidemiology is less commonly categorized in this manner.
Question 3
In the context of epidemiology, what is a 'rate'?
Explanation
A rate refers to the frequency of an event occurring in a defined population during a specific time period.
Question 4
What does the term 'incidence' refer to in epidemiological studies?
Explanation
Incidence is defined as the occurrence of new cases of a disease in a specified population over a defined period.
Question 5
How is 'prevalence' different from 'incidence'?
Explanation
Prevalence indicates the total number of existing cases at a particular time, whereas incidence specifically measures the rate of new cases over a period.
Question 6
The 'case fatality ratio' (CFR) is defined as:
Explanation
CFR represents the proportion of deaths from a specific disease compared to the total number of diagnosed cases, usually expressed as a percentage.
Question 7
What type of epidemiology focuses on identifying and studying health problems in specific populations?
Explanation
Descriptive epidemiology aims to identify health issues in specific populations, focusing on who, what, where, and when.
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of an analytical epidemiological study?
Explanation
Analytical epidemiological studies investigate the relationships between exposures and health outcomes, such as the link between air pollution and diseases.
Question 9
A 'proportion' in epidemiology is best described as:
Explanation
In epidemiology, a proportion compares the number of individuals affected by a disease to the total number in the population.
Question 10
Which of the following statements about rates is correct?
Explanation
Rates are measures that consider the number of events (e.g., cases) relative to a population size and are often expressed over a defined time period.
Question 11
Which of the following is a limitation of using prevalence data?
Explanation
Prevalence may obscure how many new cases occur over time and can mask trends in disease dynamics.
Question 12
An example of a situation where incidence is more useful than prevalence is when studying:
Explanation
During an outbreak, understanding the rate of new cases (incidence) helps in managing and controlling the spread of the disease.
Question 13
What kind of epidemiology assesses risk factors for health problems?
Explanation
Analytical epidemiology is focused on identifying the risk factors or causes of health issues through comparison and analysis of populations.
Question 14
Which measure indicates the probability that an individual who has a specific disease will die from it?
Explanation
The case fatality ratio measures the likelihood of death in individuals diagnosed with a specific disease.
Question 15
Which of these is a key feature of descriptive epidemiology?
Explanation
Descriptive epidemiology focuses on identifying patterns, trends, and outbreaks of diseases in populations.
Question 16
The relationship between exposure to a risk factor and the occurrence of disease is primarily studied in:
Explanation
Analytical epidemiology explores associations between risk factors and disease occurrence, often using observational or experimental studies.
Question 17
Case fatality ratios can be influenced by which of the following factors?
Explanation
Case fatality ratios can be influenced by the timing of diagnosis relative to disease progression, affecting outcomes.
Question 18
Which of the following measurements helps to understand the burden of a disease in a population at a certain time?
Explanation
Prevalence measures the total number of existing cases of a disease, reflecting its burden on a population at a specific point in time.
Question 19
Which of the following best describes the case fatality ratio in epidemiology?
Explanation
The case fatality ratio is a measure that reflects the severity of a disease by calculating the proportion of deaths from that disease relative to the total number of diagnosed cases.
Question 20
In epidemiological studies, which term refers to the number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific point in time?
Explanation
Prevalence is the correct term that indicates the total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific point in time, differentiating it from incidence, which refers to new cases.