Introduction

Epidemiology and Biostatistics are fundamental to understanding and improving public health. These fields provide the essential tools and methodologies for analyzing health data, identifying disease patterns, and evaluating health interventions. By studying Epidemiology and Biostatistics, professionals can gain insights into the distribution and determinants of health and diseases in populations, enabling them to develop effective strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.

The Epidemiology and Biostatistics Course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in public health research and practice. Through this course, participants will learn to design and conduct epidemiological studies, apply biostatistical methods to analyze health data, and interpret the results to inform public health decisions. The course integrates theoretical concepts with practical applications, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to address real-world public health challenges.

With a focus on high-impact areas such as disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and health program evaluation, the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Course prepares participants to make data-driven decisions that enhance public health outcomes. Whether you are a public health professional, researcher, or policy-maker, this course will provide you with the essential skills to contribute effectively to the field of epidemiology and biostatistics.

Objectives

1. Understand the basic principles and concepts of epidemiology.
2. Learn key biostatistical methods and their application in public health.
3. Develop skills to design, conduct, and analyze epidemiological studies.
4. Interpret and critically evaluate epidemiological research findings.
5. Apply biostatistical techniques to analyze health data.
6. Gain proficiency in using statistical software for data analysis.
7. Understand the role of epidemiology and biostatistics in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.
8. Develop the ability to communicate epidemiological findings effectively.
9. Explore ethical issues in epidemiological research.
10. Understand the application of epidemiology and biostatistics in policy-making and public health interventions.

Organization Benefits

1. Enhanced ability to conduct robust health research.
2. Improved data-driven decision-making capabilities.
3. Better understanding of disease trends and health outcomes.
4. Strengthened capacity for disease surveillance and outbreak response.
5. Increased proficiency in using statistical software for data analysis.
6. Ability to design and evaluate public health programs and interventions.
7. Enhanced skills in critical appraisal of health research.
8. Improved reporting and communication of health data.
9. Strengthened policy-making through evidence-based insights.
10. Increased organizational reputation as a leader in public health research and practice.

Target Participants

• Public health professionals
• Epidemiologists
• Biostatisticians
• Health researchers
• Medical professionals
• Data analysts in health sectors
• Health program managers
• Policy makers in health
• Graduate students in public health and related fields
• Professionals involved in disease surveillance and control

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Epidemiology

1. Definition and scope of epidemiology
2. Historical evolution of epidemiology
3. Measures of disease frequency
4. Disease causation models
5. Epidemiological study designs
6. Data sources in epidemiology
7. Epidemiological transition
8. Surveillance systems
9. Introduction to outbreak investigation
10. Case study: Historical perspective on cholera outbreaks

Module 2: Measures of Disease Frequency and Association

1. Incidence and prevalence
2. Risk and rate measures
3. Odds ratios and relative risk
4. Attributable risk and population attributable risk
5. Measures of public health impact
6. Confounding and effect modification
7. Stratified analysis
8. Case-control studies
9. Cohort studies
10. Case study: Analysis of smoking and lung cancer association

Module 3: Epidemiological Study Designs

1. Descriptive studies
2. Analytical studies: Case-control and cohort
3. Cross-sectional studies
4. Experimental studies: Randomized controlled trials
5. Quasi-experimental designs
6. Ecological studies
7. Bias in epidemiological studies
8. Selection bias, information bias
9. Strategies to minimize bias
10. Case study: Randomized controlled trials in vaccine efficacy

Module 4: Introduction to Biostatistics

1. Role of biostatistics in public health
2. Types of data and scales of measurement
3. Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency
4. Descriptive statistics: Measures of variability
5. Probability theory and distributions
6. Hypothesis testing and p-values
7. Confidence intervals
8. Sample size and power calculations
9. Types of statistical tests
10. Case study: Descriptive statistics in a population health survey

Module 5: Statistical Inference

1. Introduction to inferential statistics
2. Parameter estimation
3. Point estimates and interval estimates
4. Hypothesis testing framework
5. T-tests and chi-square tests
6. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
7. Regression analysis: Linear and logistic
8. Survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves
9. Multivariable analysis
10. Case study: Regression analysis in epidemiological research

Module 6: Data Management and Statistical Software

1. Principles of data management
2. Data cleaning and preparation
3. Introduction to statistical software (SPSS, R, Stata)
4. Data entry and coding
5. Exploratory data analysis
6. Creating and interpreting graphs
7. Performing statistical tests using software
8. Automating analyses with scripts
9. Data visualization techniques
10. Case study: Data management in a public health research project

Module 7: Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

1. Basic concepts in infectious disease epidemiology
2. Transmission dynamics
3. Reproductive number (R0) and herd immunity
4. Surveillance and reporting
5. Outbreak investigation steps
6. Vaccination programs
7. Control measures and strategies
8. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
9. Epidemiological modeling
10. Case study: Investigation of a foodborne outbreak

Module 8: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases

1. Overview of chronic disease epidemiology
2. Risk factors and determinants
3. Screening and early detection
4. Disease prevention strategies
5. Epidemiological transition and chronic diseases
6. Burden of chronic diseases
7. Health disparities in chronic disease outcomes
8. Role of lifestyle and environmental factors
9. Case-control and cohort studies in chronic disease epidemiology
10. Case study: Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases

Module 9: Public Health Surveillance

1. Definition and purpose of public health surveillance
2. Types of surveillance systems
3. Data sources for surveillance
4. Indicators and metrics in surveillance
5. Data collection methods ODK
6. Data analysis and interpretation
7. Reporting and dissemination of surveillance data
8. Evaluation of surveillance systems
9. Role of surveillance in outbreak detection and response
10. Case study: Surveillance of influenza

Module 10: Application of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Policy and Practice

1. Translating research into policy
2. Evidence-based public health practice
3. Health impact assessment
4. Program evaluation
5. Economic evaluation of health interventions
6. Health technology assessment
7. Ethical considerations in epidemiological research
8. Communicating research findings to stakeholders
9. Advocacy for public health policies
10. Case study: Policy implications of epidemiological research on tobacco control

General Notes

• All our courses can be Tailor-made to participants' needs
• The participant must be conversant in English
• Presentations are well-guided, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are experts with more than 10 years of experience.
• Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with a Foscore development center certificate (FDC-K)
• Training will be done at the Foscore development center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer inhouse and online training on the client schedule
• Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.
• The course fee for onsite training includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of successful completion of Training. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application dinners, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses.
• Accommodation, pickup, freight booking, and Visa processing arrangement, are done on request, at discounted prices.
•  Tablet and Laptops are provided to participants on request as an add-on cost to the training fee.
• One-year free Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.
•  Register as a group of more than two and enjoy a discount of (10% to 50%)
• Payment should be done before commence of the training or as agreed by the parties, to the FOSCORE DEVELOPMENT CENTER account, so as to enable us to prepare better for you.
•  For any inquiries reach us at training@fdc-k.org or +254712260031
• Website:www.fdc-k.org