1. Introduction to epidemiology
Study Guide For
Introduction to epidemiology
(NSC 305) By
Ogunfowokan Adesola A.
Department of Nursing Science
Obafemi Awolowo University

2. 1. General Information:
Learners offering this course should read this study guide carefully at the beginning of the contact period. It contains important information about the course which will serve as a guide to successful learning
Learners are expected to register for this course within the time frame specified by the coordinator of the programme. The time frame will be available on the students’ information board.
. Course Code & Course Name: Introduction to Epidemiology (NSC 305)
Credit points: 3 units
Year: 300 level
Semester: Harmattan/Fist Contact

3. General information cont’d
About the Course:
The course introduces students to disease causation, distribution and prevention in the community. It covers not only the study of diseases, causes and effects but, also the health and related health events in human populations.
Lecturer Information:
Course Lecturer: Mrs Ogunfowokan Adesola A. and Mrs Olowookere Adekemi
Consultation: This will be through and blogging.

4. 2. Introduction to the course
You are welcome to NSC 305 course. This is an on-line course that runs in the distance learning mode. It is a compulsory course open to Nursing Science students in 300 level. It is a 3 credit unit course that will require 45 hours of interaction between the instructor and learners for the period of the semester.
Learners offering this course must have undertaken NSC 241 (Introduction to Biostatistics) in their 200 level, and must currently be taking NSC 331 (Medico-Surgical Nursing) and NSC320 (Man and His Family in the Community)

5. .
3. Aim
The aim of this course is to expose learners to the concept of disease causation, prevention, control and treatment in human populations.

6. 4. Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, learners shall be able to
Describe and define epidemiological terms;
Explain the concept of disease causality and theories of disease causation;
Identify epidemiologic triad in relation to disease causation;
Explain the concept of immunity and disease prevention;
Explain epidemiological research process and measurements; and
discuss the control of communicable and non-communicable diseases

7. 5. Taking the Course There will be 15 lectures arranged into 8 modules
Support CDs and printed materials will be made available on registration
Pre-test will be administered preceding each lecture unit to assess basic knowledge in the subject matter. The performance of learners in pre-test will not count in the final examination grades
Practice test will be administered at the end of each lecture unit for learners self assessment and revision
Five tutor-marked assignment (multiple choice) will be provided at the end of each module

8. Taking the Course (cont’d)
At a particular period in each week learners will be expected to participate in a chart or discussion forum. The schedule for the chart and discussion will be communicated to learners.
List of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers will be made available to learners.
List of suggested readings and reference texts will be made available to learners
Additional instructions to facilitate learning may be provided by teachers as deemed necessary

9. 6. Term Paper
At a specified period in the course of instruction, learners will be expected to write and submit term papers on any emerging issues in epidemiology. Topics to write on will be communicated to learners via learners’ information board.
Any other information on the term paper will be communicated as necessary.

10. 7. Preparation for final examination
Learners are encouraged to take this course seriously to ensure good performance in this course
Learners should make use of the provided supplemental CDs and printed materials as this will expand their knowledge.
The sample questions and practice test provided at the end of each lecture will help each learner in self assessment and promote revision before taking the final examination.
Suggested readings will enhance learners’ performance in the final examination
Learners are encouraged to abide by all instructions relating to this course.

11. 8. Prerequisites to examination
For any learner to be eligible to sit for the final examination in this course, he/she must fulfill the following requirements:
Must have participated in 75% of all on-line interaction,
Must have taken at least 2 out of the 3 continuous assessment designed for this course.
Must have submitted all assignments required of this course
Important notice: If any information in this guide is unclear, please consult one of the teaching staff for the course.

12. Assessment for this course shall include:
Full participation in group discussions: (20%).
5 tutor-marked assignment: (20%).
3 in-course examination: 30%
Final examination: 30%
Note: Beware of plagiarism in the submission of your assignments because this will be severely penalized.

13. 1. The total environment of human being includes:
10. Preparatory Questions
1. The total environment of human being includes:
(a). Physical, biological and social
(b). Social, psychological and physical
(c). Physical, psychological and biological
(d). Psychological, biological and social
2. Internationally notifiable diseases are also known as
(a). Quarantinable diseases
(b). Convention diseases
(d) All of the above
(e) None of the above
3. Factors in the institutions that can influence the pattern of diseases include the following
(a). Factors in health care institutions that can influence the pattern of diseases include the following except:
(a) Types of services offered by the institutions
(b). Accessibility of the institutions
(c). The special interest and reputation of the personnel

14. Preparatory Questions (cont’d)
4. Rates which are calculated with the total population in an area as the denominator are called
(a)Defined rate
(b) purified rates
©. Crude rates
(d). None of the above
5. Scabies is a borne disease.
can be used as a drug to combat itching in scabies infection
7. The reservoir for Candida albicans is
8. Prolong use of should be avoided in the control of candidiasis
9. The infectious agent for mumps is
10. Mumps infection typically presents with

15. 11. Glossary
Outbreak: Presence of a disease condition that is restricted to one locale
Epidemic: Presence of a disease condition in a population which is more wide spread than a locale
Pandemic: Global outbreak of a disease i.e a disease that is found in many parts of the world
Endemic: When diseases occur constantly in a relatively low rate in a population