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Public Health and Epidemiology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:2.00
Study Course Accepted:08.08.2023 15:56:14
Study Course Information
Course Code:SVUEK_136LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Clinical Medicine; Public HealthTarget Audience:Sports Trainer
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Aija Bukova-Žideļūna
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 9 Kronvalda boulevard, svekatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67338307
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)0Lecture Length (academic hours)0Total Contact Hours of Lectures0
Classes (count)8Class Length (academic hours)4Total Contact Hours of Classes32
Total Contact Hours32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)0Lecture Length (academic hours)0Total Contact Hours of Lectures0
Classes (count)8Class Length (academic hours)4Total Contact Hours of Classes32
Total Contact Hours32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Learning public health and epidemiology requires basic knowledge in normal and pathological physiology and/or propaedetics. In order to understand and be able to practically apply the methods and measurements of epidemiological studies, knowledge in mathematical statistics is necessary. English language skills are required to read academic literature and epidemiological studies in public health and epidemiology.
Objective:
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge in the fundamentals of public health and basic principles and concepts in epidemiology and to introduce to methods of research and solutions of health problems.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Health. Evidence-based public health.Classes1.00auditorium
2Disease prevention, health promotionClasses1.00auditorium
3Sources of health information. Crude, specific and standardised ratesClasses1.00auditorium
4Epidemiology, causation. Key indicators in epidemiology - incidence and prevalence.Classes1.00auditorium
5Selection and measurement bias. Descriptive studies.Classes1.00auditorium
6Analytical studies. Association measures. Experimental studies.Classes1.00auditorium
7Healthcare organisationClasses1.00auditorium
8Social determinantsClasses1.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Health. Evidence-based public health.Classes1.00auditorium
2Disease prevention, health promotionClasses1.00auditorium
3Sources of health information. Crude, specific and standardised ratesClasses1.00auditorium
4Epidemiology, causation. Key indicators in epidemiology - incidence and prevalence.Classes1.00auditorium
5Selection and measurement bias. Descriptive studies.Classes1.00auditorium
6Analytical studies. Association measures. Experimental studies.Classes1.00auditorium
7Healthcare organisationClasses1.00auditorium
8Social determinantsClasses1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Individual work during the course of the study, discussing the problem of the subject of the lesson, calculating epidemiology tasks, working with scientific literature at home, analysing public health issues/challenge. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Formatting evaluation (selective issues on topics of previous lessons). A summatative valuation consisting of a cumulative assessment of: - attendance (20%); - two independent works (2x15%); - written exam (50%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Define the concept of health and name the main categories of health-related factors. Name social health determinants. Define public health as science and practice tasks. Define the levels of disease prevention and the basic functions of health promotion. Name health-care organisations and funding key principles. Describe the basic concepts of modern epidemiology and their use in health sciences. Explain the concept of evidence-based health care. Set out the principles for calculating overriding and incidences. Describe the types and sources of health information. Identify the research themes used in epidemiology, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Define and explain the indicators of associations used in epidemiology.
Skills:Name examples of health-influencing factors in the older sport-coaching profession. Describe examples of preventing diseases and promoting health in the context of their profession. Base indicators for health events and the frequency of situations will be calculated. Distinguish between common, specific and standardised indicators. Differentiate and compare different sources of health information. Differentiate the types of epidemiological studies according to their design. Calculate the association measurements used in epidemiology.
Competencies:Discuss public health problems and their possible solutions in relation to the profession. Assess the appropriateness of data sources and indicators to address the public health problem. Assess the relevance of the design of the epidemiological study to the research issue. Interpret the concept of health and health-influencing factors in the older coaching profession. Justify the importance of health promotion and prevention. Address the incidence rates and demographics of health events in health research. Assess the health information, depending on the sources of data collection. Compare the results of studies according to the design of epidemiological studies and the measured indicators of associations.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Baltiņš, M. (2003) Lietišķā epidemioloģija. Zinātne, Rīga
2Bouter, L.M., Zielhuis, G.A., Zeegers, M.P. (2017) Textbook of Epidemiology. Bohn Stafleu van Loghum
Additional Reading
1Gordis, L. (2018) Epidemiology (6th edition). Elsevier Saunders
2Gerstman, B.B. (2013) Epidemiology Kept Simple (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons
3Marmot M., Wilkinson R.G. (ed.). (2006) Social Determinants of Health (2nd edition) New York: Oxford University Press
Other Information Sources
1PVO un Eiropas reģiona datu bāzes “Health for All”
2Global Health Observatory dati un publikācijas
3Eiropas slimību profilakses un kontroles centra dati un publikācijas
4Centrālā Statistikas pārvaldes dati un publikācijas
5Slimību profilakses un kontroles centra dati un publikācijas