402321 MPH 33: Vertiefung bevölkerungsmedizinischer Konzepte - fortgeschrittene Analyseverfahren (S) (WiSe 2018/2019)

In the winter semester 2018/2019 this course concentrates on infectious diseases (e.g. Tuberculosis, HIV, Malaria) and its determinants prevailing in African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Togo). Developing countries are considered as double burden countries, which experience higher prevalence of communicable diseases as well as increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Recently collected nationally representative secondary data (DHS) will be used to analyse public health challenges critically.
The first lecture block provides an overview about recent dynamics in infectious diseases. The second block deals with the critical appraisal of scientific literature. In this block, epidemiological methods such as factor analysis and multilevel modelling will be presented and scientific literature will be discussed. The third block consists of an excursion to Berlin, where several institutions will be visited to present public health approaches to combat infectious diseases.
In the fourth block, students have the chance to analyse data in small groups (about 3 students per group) using SPSS to address their research questions using various statistical methods. Furthermore, the lectures will start with an introductory presentation dealing with recent topics of modern epidemiology and advanced epidemiological methods. The last two lectures (block 5) are scheduled for the finalization of presentations and final oral presentations. At the end of the course, interested students will be instructed to write their research report based on literature search, data analysis and their oral presentation.

Through this course, students will be enabled to understand the public health relevance of infectious diseases. Furthermore, differences between countries and determinants of infectious diseases will be highlighted within the data analysis. After completing the course, students will be enabled to formulate suitable research questions and respective hypotheses that will be statistically tested. To complete this process, students increase their skills in presenting their findings in oral and written ways. Another major advantage of this course will also be the theoretical input of recent developments in the field of epidemiology.
By passing through this process, the students increase their analytical knowledge and skills regarding public health medicine and statistical/epidemiological methods. After completion of the lectures and presentations, interested students will be encouraged to publish their findings in international peer-reviewed journals with support of the staff of AG2.