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Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:3.00
Study Course Accepted:04.10.2024 11:21:07
Study Course Information
Course Code:SVUEK_140LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Clinical Medicine; Public HealthTarget Audience:Public Health
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Larisa Savrasova
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Institute of Public Health
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)8Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures16
Classes (count)8Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes16
Total Contact Hours32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge in epidemiology and infectious diseases.
Objective:
Acquire specific epidemiology (including field epidemiology) issues related to infectious diseases.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Epidemiological measures in the area of infectious diseases – descriptive statistics; seroepidemiologyLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
2Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiologyLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
3Epidemiological measures and study design in infectious diseases epidemiology, part 2Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
4Surveillance of infectious diseases, elimination programsLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
5Most important and emerging infectionsLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
6Outbreak investigationLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
7Vaccine research – experimental studies, vaccination epidemiology, phenomenon of collective immunityLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
8Mathematical modeling, modeling of epidemicsLectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Homework on specific topics of lectures and classes. Independent work with the specified mandatory literature.
Assessment Criteria:
Class attendance, homework success and final exam. In order to pass the course, 100% attendance is required. If 1-4 lessons are missed, one additional question is added to the final exam for each topic missed. If 5 or more lessons are missed, i.e. more than 50%, the study course is not counted. Successful crediting of the course requires a successful assessment (at least 4 points) in all homework and the final exam. Homework constitutes 50% of the final grade (average grade of all homework), final exam - 50% of the final grade.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:After completing the course, the student: * will name the basic epidemiological indicators of infections, will know their calculation formulas, * will define pandemic, epidemic, outbreak, endemic, * will describe the importance of different study designs and association indicators in infection research and surveillance, * will know the components of infection control, * will know the components of infection control programs, * will describe the role of seroepidemiology in infection surveillance and research, * will describe cases of good practice in infection control, * will describe the progress and nature of vaccine effectiveness studies, * will explain the concept of collective immunity, * will know the goals and steps of outbreak investigation, * will describe the most important emergency infections, * will describe the role of modeling in infection surveillance.
Skills:After completing the course, the student: * will be able to determine the adequacy of specific infection control measures and programs, * will be able to solve the tasks of epidemiological indicators of different types of infections, * will learn to inform, educate and motivate the public about infection prevention measures, * will know how to engage in outbreak investigation steps.
Competencies:After completing the course, the student: * will develop a set of specific infection control measures, * will be able to independently calculate epidemiological indicators in the field of infectious diseases, * will be able to develop an outbreak investigation plan, * will argue about the need for vaccination, coverage and herd immunity.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Giesecke J. Modern infectious disease epidemiology. 3rd edition. CRC Press, 2017.
Additional Reading
1Nelson K.E., Williams C. Infectious Disease Epidemiology: Theory and Practice 3rd edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2013
2Abubakar I., Stagg H.R., Cohen T., Rodrigues L.C. Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Oxford University Press, 2016.