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Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
Environmental Health Science · 200 Level
This is the complete lecture note for EHS 202 Fundamentals of Epidemiology, prepared for Environmental Health Science students at 200 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS COURSE CODE: EHS 202 COURSE TITLE: Fundamentals of Epidemiology COURSE UNIT LOAD: (2 Units C: LH 30) SERIES LIST • Series 1: Foundations and Historical Development of Epidemiology • Series 2: Models of Disease Causation and Occurrence • Series 3: Time, Transmission, and Patterns in Epidemiology • Series 4: Study Designs and Measurement in Epidemiology • Series 5: Applications of Epidemiology in Disease, Injury, and Health Problems Suggested Outline – Series 1: Foundations and Historical Development of Epidemiology 1.1 Historical Development of Epidemiology • 1.1.1 Early origins of epidemiology • 1.1.2 Milestones in the growth of epidemiology • 1.1.3 Contributions of key figures in epidemiology 1.2 Definition, Scope, and Application of Epidemiology • 1.2.1 Definition of epidemiology • 1.2.2 Scope of epidemiology in health sciences • 1.2.3 Applications of epidemiology in disease control and prevention 1.3 Basic Principles and Methods of Epidemiology • 1.3.1 Principles of disease investigation • 1.3.2 Methods of epidemiological analysis • 1.3.3 Role of epidemiology in public health practice 1.4 Epidemiologic Models of Disease Occurrence • 1.4.1 Unifactorial model • 1.4.2 Multifactorial model • 1.4.3 Web of causation
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Introduction – Series 1: Foundations and Historical Development of Epidemiology Epidemiology is the cornerstone of public health practice. It provides the scientific basis for understanding how diseases occur, spread, and can be controlled. The foundations of epidemiology lie in its historical development, where early observations of disease patterns gradually evolved into systematic methods of investigation. By studying these origins, learners gain insight into how epidemiology became a discipline that informs health policy and guides interventions. The aim of this Series is to introduce learners to the historical roots, definitions, scope, and applications of epidemiology. It will also highlight the basic principles and models of disease occurrence that underpin the discipline. The Series follows a sequential path: • We begin with the historical development of epidemiology, tracing its milestones and contributions of key figures. • Next, we examine the definition, scope, and application of epidemiology, clarifying its role in health sciences. • We then explore the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, focusing on how disease investigation is conducted. • Finally, we study the epidemiologic models of disease occurrence, including unifactorial, multifactorial, and web of causation approaches. By the end of this Series, learners will appreciate how epidemiology has evolved, understand its scope and applications, and be able to explain the models that guide disease investigation and control. Series Learning Outcomes – Series 1: Foundations and Historical Development of Epidemiology By the end of this Series, learners should be able to: • SLO 1.1: Describe the historical development of epidemiology and identify key milestones in its evolution. • SLO 1.2: Define epidemiology and explain its scope and applications in health sciences. • SLO 1.3: Analyse the basic principles and methods of epidemiology used in disease investigation and control. • SLO 1.4: Evaluate epidemiologic models of disease occurrence, including unifactorial, multifactorial, and web of causation approaches.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS These outcomes align directly with the four Parts outlined for Series 1, ensuring learners progress from historical foundations through definitions and methods, and finally to models of disease occurrence. 1.1 Historical Development of Epidemiology 1.1.1 Early origins of epidemiology The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi (upon), demos (people), and logos (study). It originally meant the study of what befalls populations. Early origins can be traced to ancient civilisations where observations were made about disease outbreaks. For example, Hippocrates in 400 BC suggested that environmental factors such as air, water, and food influenced health. Fill in the blank: The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi, demos, and ______.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1 Placeholder: Diagram showing the Greek roots of the word epidemiology. Caption: Origins of the term epidemiology. 1.1.2 Milestones in the growth of epidemiology Several milestones mark the growth of epidemiology as a discipline. In the 17th century, John Graunt analysed mortality data in London and produced the first life tables. In the 19th century, John Snow investigated cholera outbreaks in London, linking them to contaminated water sources. These milestones established epidemiology as a scientific method for studying disease occurrence. Fill in the blank: John Snow investigated outbreaks of ______ in London, linking them to contaminated water sources.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure Period Key Concept Shift in Thinking Hippocrates Ancient Greece Environmental factors Superstition $\rightarrow$ Observation John Graunt 17th Century Quantifying health Anecdote $\rightarrow$ Data/Statistics John Snow 19th Century Disease transmission Theory $\rightarrow$ Field Investigation Box 1.1 Placeholder: Text box summarising milestones in epidemiology. Caption: Key milestones in the growth of epidemiology. 1.1.3 Contributions of key figures in epidemiology Key figures shaped the discipline: • Hippocrates: Emphasised environmental influences on health. • John Graunt: Introduced statistical analysis of mortality data. • John Snow: Applied mapping and data analysis to identify cholera transmission. • William Farr: Advanced vital statistics and classification of diseases. Fill in the blank: William Farr advanced the use of ______ statistics and classification of diseases.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Table 1.1 Placeholder: Table listing key figures and their contributions. Caption: Contributions of key figures in epidemiology. Pilot questions 1.1 1. The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi, demos, and ______. 2. Who suggested that environmental factors such as air, water, and food influenced health? 3. John Snow investigated outbreaks of ______ in London. 4. Who introduced statistical analysis of mortality data in the 17th century?
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 5. William Farr advanced the use of ______ statistics and classification of diseases. 1.2 Definition, Scope, and Application of Epidemiology 1.2.1 Definition of epidemiology Epidemiology is defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems. In simple terms, it investigates how diseases occur, who they affect, and why they spread. Fill in the blank: Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and ______ of health-related states or events in populations.
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