ANSWER FOR BIOSTAT TEST: EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES

1. Epidemiological study can be defined as study of factors affecting health in a

population and the way to diagnose them. (F)

2. Community diagnosis and individual chances of a getting a disease can be

determined using epidemiological study (T).

3. Sporadic occurrence may shows a pattern in which the disease constantly

present throughout the time of study. (F)

4. Stationary populations may show a constant number of births and deaths can
only be applied on open population. (T)

5. A population of 423 people observed for 5 years equals to 2110 person-years

for incidence rate calculation. (F)

6. An observational study has to be done by manipulating exposure and

involves individual follow up. (F)

7. The first stage of epidemiological study is hypothesis generation which

includes population at risk, exposure, disease, time/dose response
relationship and other factors. (T)
1. On January 1, 2010 there were 20 UiTM pharmacy students with Influenza A
and there were a total of 600 students in the class. These 20 students were
immune from contracting Influenza A again during the next nine months. From
January 2, 2010 through April 2, 2010, 30 more students developed Influenza A
and the class size remained at 600.

a. Calculate the proportion of Influenza A on January 1, 2010.

(2 marks)

P = no case/no people (1/2)

= 20/600 (1/2)
= 0.03 (1)

b. What is the risk of other students in the group to be infected with Influenza A?
(2 marks)

R = onset/total at risk (1/2)

= 30/580 (1/2)
= 0.05 or 5% (1)

2. At the beginning of a study, three medical students are disease free from a
urinary tract infection (UTI) and they are all at risk for developing a URI. The
following are the study results:

- Student A is followed for four years and does not develop a UTI
- Student B is followed for five years and does not develop a UTI
- Student C is followed for two years and she does develop a UTI

Calculate the incidence rate of UTI in this group.

(2 marks)

Incidence (1) = no onsets/sum of person-time (1/2)

= 1/(11)(1/2)
= 0.09(1)

3. A research will be conducted to assess whether omega-3 fatty acids may lower
blood cholesterol level. Suggest one observational design approach to prove the
hypothesis in 6 months time

Cohort observation: Identify supplement takers and non-takers. Follow

them for 6 months and compare their blood cholesterol levels
(2 marks)

4. You are required to assess rates of breast cancer and its relation with EPO
intake in the current Puncak Alam population. Determine your method of
observation.

Case-control observation. Identify breast cancer cases and non cases.

Compare rate of EPO intake in the group.
(2 marks)