Measurements of Disease Principles of Epidemiology

Please answer these questions:

Based on the information that you obtained during your site visit, did the outbreak occur in the school cafeteria or at the school party? Explain.

What is the incidence rate of this foodborne illness?

In general, what is the difference between an incidence rate and a prevalence rate?

Assignment Expectations, in order to earn full credit:

Please write your paper in your own words. That is the only way I can evaluate your level of understanding. Quotes are rarely needed; if necessary, they should comprise less than 10% of a paper and must be properly cited.

Even though the papers must be written in your own words, you are required to cite sources for any statement of fact or idea that is not common knowledge. You must cite the sources within the body of the paper and include a reference list at the end of the paper.

Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable source of information. Use credible, professional, and scholarly sources such as journal articles from ProQuest or EBSCO, and government, university, or nonprofit organizations’ Web sites.

You must clearly show that you have read the module homepage and the required background materials. You are welcome to do research in addition to — but not instead of — the required readings.

Your papers will be evaluated on the following factors:

References – citations are used within the body of the paper any time you state a fact or idea that is not common knowledge. A reference list is included at the end of the paper.
Precision – you follow all instructions and you answer each part of the assignment.
Breadth – you show broad knowledge of the module’s topic.
Depth – you go into detail to show more critical thought about the specific tasks or questions in the assignment.
Clarity – the extent to which you elaborate and include discussion or examples as asked.
Application – the extent to which you apply the information to a real-life situation related to the assignment, if asked.
Before you begin, please review this information about When to Cite Sources http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/integrity/pages/cite/

Other resources are available at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Required Readings

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2004). Steps of an Outbreak Investigation. Retrieved February 21, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/EXCITE/classroom/outbreak/steps.htm.

Attia, J, Page, J, Heller, R, Dobson, A. (2002). Impact numbers in health policy decisions. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 56(8), 600-5. Retrieved February 21, 2013 from ProQuest Medical Library database. (Document ID: 147460491).

Gerstman B (2005). Epidemiology Kept Simple. Chapter 6: Incidence and Prevalence Greatly Abridged. San Jose State University. Retrieved February 21, 2013 from http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/gerstman/eks/06-formulas.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Preven
tion (2004) How to Investigate an Outbreak. (2001). Retrieved February 21, 2013 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site http://www.cdc.gov/EXCITE/classroom/outbreak/objectives.htm

University of Illinois at Chicago (n.d.) Supercourse: Rates, Ratios, and Proportions. Retrieved February 21, 2013 from http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec0441/001.htm

Optional Readings

Evans J (1997). Epidemiology in Practice: Disease Incidence. J Comm Eye Health, 10(24):60-62. Retrieved February 21, 2013 from http://www.cehjournal.org/0953-6833/10/jceh_10_24_060.html

Statistics Every Writer Should Know. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2013 from http://www.robertniles.com/stats/

Gabriel S., Michaud K. (2009). Review: Epidemiological studies in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and comorbidity of the rheumatic diseases Arthritis Research & Therapy, 11:229 (doi:10.1186/ar2669) Retrieved February 21, 2013 from: http://arthritis-research.com/content/pdf/ar2669.pdf Calculate incidence rates and differentiate between incidence and prevalence rate.