The University of Western Sydney School of Science and Health Introduction to Epidemiology XXXXXXXXXX) ASSIGNMENT 1 Spring, 2018 Due date: 26 August, 2018 This assignment is based on the learning...

The University of Western Sydney

School of Science and Health

Introduction to Epidemiology XXXXXXXXXX)

ASSIGNMENT 1

Spring, 2018

Due date: 26 August, 2018

This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in in weeks 1 to 3 (not including measures of association). There are a total of 56 marks and this assignment will contribute 20% towards the total assessment for this subject.

Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions. Assignments should be submitted via vUWS (see specific instructions relating to Assignment 1 on vUWS).

Be as brief as possible in your answers, and use the number of marks for a question as a guide to how much to write.

No answers need to be longer than a few short sentences or short paragraphs.

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.

Remember to save your assignment

as:

Family name_First name_StudentID_Ass1

Question 1:

“A sexual health survey was conducted among Australian Year 10 and Year 12 school students. Out of 125 male Year 10 students, 35 responded ‘yes’ to the question ‘had they ever had sex’, while 147 female Year 10 students, 36 responded ‘yes’ to this question. Among the Year 12 students, 62 out of 129 males and 76 out of 167 females reported yes to this question.”

(a) “What was the prevalence of ‘ever had sex’ for each of these groups and the total year 10 and 12 students?” [4 Marks]

(b) “Are these estimates point or period prevalence? Justify your answer.” [2 marks]

(c) “Summarise in your own words the findings by gender and age (year 10 younger adolescents and year 12 older adolescents). Try not to repeat the prevalence rates mentioned above in this answer” (no more than 60 words!! ) [4 marks]

Question 2:

“A total of 209 College students who had ever had sex were questioned about their sexual activities but also tested for the most common sexually transmitted infections including C. Trachomatis. Five students tested positive for Trachomatis at their first examination. The students at risk were followed up for 2 years. During this time another 10 students became positive for C. Trachomatis. “

“Unfortunately not all students were followed –up for the entire 2-year study period.

Only 104 students were followed up for 2 years, while 20 were followed 18 months, 15 followed for 14 months, 50 for 6 months and 15 for 3 months”.

(a) “What was the incidence rate of C. Trachomatis for this sample? explain your calculation in each stage” [6 marks]

Question 3:

“The following table presents hypothetical data of the incidence of prostate cancer in men in two cities (light grey City A- dark grey City B”

(a) “Calculate the crude and age-specific rates of prostate cancer per 100,000 men in each city. Compare the results.” [4 marks]

(b) “Calculate the direct standardised incidence rates of prostate cancer for men living in city A and in city B according to the world standard population (given in the last column). Compare the two results and interpret your findings.” [4 marks]

(c)” Based on the data you have just calculated would you say that age is an important factor in understanding differences in prostate cancer between the two cities? Justify” [4marks]

.

Question 4

“A city contains 100,000 people (45,000 males and 55,000 females), and 1000 people die per year (600 males and 400 females). There were 50 cases (40 males and 10 females) of lung cancer per year, of whom 44 died” (35 males and 9 females)

(a) “What is the crude mortality rate for this city” [2 marks]

(b) “What is the sex-specific mortality rate” [2 marks]

(c) “What is the lung cancer case fatality rate”[2 marks]

Question 5:

“Describe at least two shortcomings of using death certificates to determine cause –specific mortality. (. Please note: No more than ¼ of the page – if it is more it will not be marked)” [4 marks]

Question 6:

“A random sample of middle-age sedentary males was selected from four census tracts, and each man was examined for high blood pressure. All those that have normal blood pressure were excluded from the study. All other were randomly assigned to Mediterranean diet group, which followed a 12-month program of this diet, or to a control group, which received educational materials about healthy lifestyle. Both groups were observed at 6 and 12 month for any difference in the incidence of normal blood pressure”.

a) “What is the research question or hypothesis that the study attempt to answer “ (no more than 30 words) [2 marks]

b) “What study type/design the paragraph described and why do you think this is the type (justify your answer (no more than 60 words!!)” [4 marks]:

c) “What are the advantage /disadvantage of using this design? “[4 marks]

d) “Describe a different study design than the one described above for the same research question, describe in short what you do” [ no more than 100 words] [ 4 marks]

Question 7:

“Since 1994 the UK Department of Health conducted population –based surveys every 3 years asking about their lifestyles, including physical activity. Participants in the survey were also asked to give their permission to link their details to other sources of data such as vital statistics and hospital discharges. In 2010 researchers which to examine if there is a physical activity type that is particularly protective against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There were 48,390 respondents aged 40 years and older who were free from CVD at their baseline assessment who also gave their permission to data linkage. The researchers found that 1,714 people who were surveyed died from CVD, but the mortality rate was lowest among those who participated in dance.”

a) “What is the study type/design” [2 marks]:

b) “Key feature(s) that led your choice of the study design”[2 marks]