Introduction
Gregg (2002) explains that “Epidemiology is the study of pattern, causes and effects of health diseases and conditions in defined populations” (Gregg, 3). It represents methods of health studying that are applicable to a variety of health problems, from how the infectious diseases are transmitted amongst various individuals to how to design healthcare strategies. The study has been considered in the public health sector as the basic and fundamental way of approaching the health related issues, analyzing data collected and as the most appropriate way of understanding the data collected. Epidemiology has been effective in developing methodology used in clinical research processes, public related health problems and concrete suggestions to curb on the problems that are arising.
Major areas involved in the practice of epidemiology include bio-monitoring, disease surveillance and screening, outbreak investigation and disease etiology. Epidemiologists helped in designing related studies, collecting and analyzing statistical data and interpreting the end results. They also relied on biological methods to investigate and understand the diseases, make appropriate data and draw the right conclusions. Epidemiological designs are useful in achieving specified public sector’s health objectives. These objectives compose of identifying alleged disease, how they are related and the most qualified way of curing them. The interventions need to be fully assessed to establish their effectiveness.
Gregg (2002) explains that “Field epidemiology here involves the hands on practice of epidemiology methods to the unexpected health diseases when an emergency investigation is needed for appropriate involvement” (p. 39). Due to the nature of the disease breakouts that occurred, epidemiologists have been designing new strategies to intervene on emergencies. Methodologies have been changing with time and applied to a wider range of health problems. In addition, more techniques have been adapted from other disciplines, such as statistics and mathematics. In the epidemiology field, studies are conducted by epidemiologists who design variables of related data. Such data variables may include community, environment, and date.
Tamarack (2001) described that “Traditional epidemiology on the other hand involves the belief in addition to other sources of medicine for the cause of the disease” (p. 76). These involve ancient methods used in a group or community, rather than an individual and do not involve adapted concepts of mathematics and statistics. Traditional epidemiology involves basic concepts, basic methods of data analysis and measures of exposing risks and problems. It concentrates on history of diseases, their causes and risks associated with them.
Comparison on field epidemiology and traditional epidemiology
Both methods of study are concerned about concepts, methods of data analysis and try to establishing the risks and problems that arise in among certain population and groups. Field and traditional epidemiological practices are aimed at answering questions from the public health sector and help in controlling health related problems on the long term basis.
Like a report, they contain information on the health related problem such as the case/investigation involved, time it occurred, place, persons affected and infected and health related causes. In an example of diseases like hepatitis B and malaria, we would then set a standard criterion to determine if a person is infected with the infection. All patients should be tested in order to come up with accurate results.
In both fields of epidemiology and traditional epidemiology, we consider diseases like malaria and hepatitis to be studied, and population or group that a study had been conducted on in the past is to be considered. If the study was conducted in the year 2011; a 2012 study would be conducted to determine the differences that have occurred with time. The cases that were observed in the year 2011 are compared with those of 2012 and the differences are to be noted. Epidemiologists would then analyze the changes based on the results, causes of changes and suggest more suitable ways of eliminating the related health problems of malaria and hepatitis. Based on the analysis, we would have different results from the individuals who are diagnosed.
Contrast on field epidemiology and traditional epidemiology
However, major differences are always observed when the two methods are compared. In the first case of the field of epidemiology, we observed that it mainly involves study designs conducted in the field. Here, the epidemiologist selects samples and design variables that would deliver the required information. If a field research to be conducted on malaria and hepatitis, we are to design variables of related samples, such as descriptive sections which involve what, whom, where and when to analyze. Analytical section includes why, and how many people were infected, measures and methods of conducting the study, and actions to be taken according to the results.
Action and controls to be taken have potential strengths and weaknesses, hence long term solutions should be applied to avoid emergency intervention.
On the other hand, (Tamarack, 2001) suggested that “traditional epidemiology involves an integration of micro biology and modern epidemiology. It involves studies conducted in the lab of the collected results, analyzing and coming up with effective results to be implemented” (p. 100).
References
Gregg, B.M (2002). Field Epidemiology 2nd edition. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
Tamarack, C.T (2001). Infectious Diseases. Mississauga, Canada: Jones and Berlet Publishers.