402321 Public Health Medicine - Epidemiology of diseases in megacity slums in Dhaka (V) (WiSe 2012/2013)

In the winter semester 2012/2013 our course concentrates on the epidemiology of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the slums of the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data that will be used in the course was collected during basleine surveys conducted in 2008 and 2009. The sample size is more than 2000 adults.

In the first few clasees, general information about epidemiology of diseases, potential public health challenges in megacities including environmental problems will be discussed. Then we will provide basic information about the data set, used study design, literature search, and research methodology. The dataset will be provided to the students to work in several small groups (max. 4 students) and to perform own data analysis on the selected topics. In the third (last) part of the course, lectures will be given on the theoretical and practical aspects of necessary statistical methods (including advanced methods) so that students can select the most suitable analytical techniques for their topic. Students will have enough time to analyse their data using SPSS to address their research questions. Finally, students will present and discuss their findings in oral presentations.

Learning objectives: Through this course our students will be enable to understand which communicable and non-communicable diseases play the most important role for the burden of diseases in Dhaka, what major risk factors are prevalent in slum populations. Students will increase their analytical knowledge and skills regarding several statistical methods. At the end of the course the students will be encouraged to publish their findings in international peer-reviewed journals together with the working group AG2.