Week 2 Discussion: Descriptive Epidemiology
University Affiliation
Student’s Name
Introduction
According to Friis and Sellers (2014), descriptive epidemiology tries to look for patterns by keenly studying on the characteristics of person, place and time. Here, the occurrences and outbreak of a disease can be determined.
Characteristics of Person, Place, and Time
Hypotheses about the determinants of disease arise from taking into consideration the characteristics of person, place and time (Nash, et al., 2021). A case of stomach Cancer for instance, has varied incidences depending on the genetic differences or the kind of diet taken by an individual (Friis & Sellers, 2014).
Person
Although age, sex, and race/ethnicity often plays a pivotal role in the health of a person, other characteristics has been seen to be the main drivers of stomach cancer, these includes diet, alcohol consumption, medication and religious practices (Laureate Education (Producer), 2012). An individual who often drink a lot of alcohol have a high tendency of acquiring stomach cancer compared to non-alcoholic individuals, same case applies to smoking, rampant smokers tend to be at risk of lung cancer (Nash, et al., 2021).
Additionally, religious practices play as significant role. Some religions have dietary restrictions on drinking of alcohol and cigarette smoking. Such restriction helps an individual escape the risk of getting stomach cancer (Friis & Sellers, 2021). Individual who often seek medication are less affected by the disease, since early detection calls for early treatment.
Place
Variation by location where an individual life, works and travels can act as a platform for stomach cancer exposure. It is worth noting that, the rates of stomach cancer also vary among countries (Nash, et al., 2021). For instance, Japanese have a higher rate of stomach cancer compared to Caucasians in California (Laureate Education (Producer), 2012).
Time
The incidence of stomach cancers keeps on reducing over time, this is basically due to changes in behavior and improved diagnostic methods and treatment. A decrease in alcohol consumption as well as adoption of modern methods of food preservation has also led to a decrease in stomach cancer (Nash, et al., 2021).
Strengths and Limitations of Data Sources Utilized
Epidemiological studies often use secondary data as their sources of data. In this case population census records and health information systems were used as a source of data in the study (Friis & Sellers, 2021). Censuses acts as a significant source of data on population characteristics in that it possesses a strong statistical power and policy relevance to epidemiological studies. However, censuses in most regions are conducted on a 10-year basis, hence does not provide an up-to-date information (Laureate Education (Producer), 2012).
Moreover, health information systems data helps in informing the health surveillance on the problem as well as providing a timely response, especially during disease epidemics. Although, health management information systems in most regions are weak and fragmented, hence cannot provide consistent, accurate and reliable data (Friis & Sellers, 2014).
Methods that Could Be Used to Collect Raw Data
In particular, according to Laureate Education (Producer). (2012), determining a case calls for critical approach and viable methods of data collection. I therefore settled for observational studies and oral interview methodology in my case study. By keenly deploying the techniques of observational and interviewing, I managed to analyze the characteristics of person, place and time, it was therefore profound that the distribution of stomach cancer varied basing on this characteristics (Nash, et al., 2021).
Conclusion
Descriptive studies are often positioned at the base of the hierarchy of scientific evidence; nevertheless, their importance as the basic roots of the epidemiological approach remains unchanged.
References
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021).
Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Descriptive epidemiology: Person, place, time. In
Epidemiology for public health practice (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J. & Oglesby, W. H. (2021). Health promotion and health behavior. In
Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012).
Epidemiology and population health [Interactive media]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
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