402321 Public Health Medicine - Diseases, risks and epidemiological data analysis (V) (WiSe 2011/2012)

Course content

In the winter semester 2011/2012 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 baseline surveys conducted in 2008 and 2009. The sample size exceeds 2000 adults.

In the first few classes, 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 analyses 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 and will deliver a written term paper.

Learning objectives: Through this course, our students will be enabled to understand which communicable and non-communicable diseases play the most important role for the burden of diseases in urban areas in developing countries using the example of the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh and which major health risks are prevalent among urban slum populations. Students will learn to independently go through the whole scientific process, from identifying relevant health topics, formulating a suitable research question, answering this questions by means of appropriate statistical methods until the presentation of results and a possible publication. They 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 members of AG2.

Prerequisites for obtaining the certificate (Scheinerwerb): Mündliche Präsentation der Ergebnisse (.ppt) und schriftliche Ausarbeitung (ca. 25 Seiten)