HHE 450 Exam 4

What is the purpose of formulating the case definition in an outbreak investigation?

To clearly define the criteria for identifying cases based on clinical symptoms, time, place, and person characteristics

Why is conducting case confirmation important?

To verify that identified cases truly have the disease or condition of interest.

What does establishing the background rate of disease help with?

It helps determine if there is an actual increase in cases compared to usual levels.

What is examined in the descriptive epidemiology of outbreak cases?

Characteristics such as time, place, and person to identify patterns.

What is the goal of generating and testing hypotheses about outbreak causes?

To identify the source and mode of transmission of the outbreak.

Why collect and test environmental samples during an outbreak?

To detect the presence of the pathogen or contaminants in the environment.

What are control measures in outbreak investigations?

Actions taken to stop or limit the spread of the disease.

Why interact with the press and public during an outbreak?

To disseminate accurate information and prevent panic.

What types of questions can experimental studies address?

Questions about the efficacy or safety of interventions or treatments.

What distinguishes an experimental study?

The researcher actively assigns interventions to study subjects.

Differentiate between preventive, therapeutic, individual, and community trials.

Preventive trials test interventions to prevent disease; therapeutic trials test treatments; individual trials focus on individuals, community trials focus on groups or populations.

Why is randomization used in experimental studies?

To reduce bias by equally distributing confounding factors between groups.

How do you determine if randomization was successful?

By checking that baseline characteristics are similar between groups.

Define blinding and placebo, and their purpose.

Blinding hides group assignment to reduce bias; placebo is a dummy treatment used as a control.

Why is compliance important in experimental studies?

It ensures the intervention is actually received, affecting study validity.

What is the difference between intent-to-treat and efficacy analysis?

Intent-to-treat includes all participants as originally assigned; efficacy includes only those who completed the treatment as intended.

How are measures of association from experimental studies estimated and interpreted?

By comparing outcome frequencies between intervention and control groups (e.g., relative risk).

What are strengths and limitations of experimental studies?

Strengths: control over variables, causality assessment; Limitations: ethical concerns, cost, generalizability.

What is equipoise and why is it important?

Equipoise means genuine uncertainty about which treatment is better; it's necessary to justify ethical conduct of experiments.

What is informed consent?

The process of providing participants with information to make an informed decision about participation.