Descriptive Epidemiology: Data Sources and Data Collection
Descriptive epidemiology deals with describing disease patterns using three major categories: person, place, or time (Friis & Sellers, 2021). Consider the following example:
Over the last weekend, six people went to the Alcan City Hospital emergency room with similar symptoms. The laboratory results for the six patients were indicative of an infection due to Escherichia coli (E. coli). Patient interviews revealed they had all eaten a meal at Sam’s Sandwich Food Truck during the Alcan City Fair within 48 hours of going to
the hospital. Further inquiries by the Alcan City public health officials identified that the source of the E. coli contamination was the lettuce that Sam’s had purchased from M&L Produce (a produce supplier located in Tempe, Arizona). Epidemiologists from the Arizona State Health Department determined that the lettuce that M&L supplied Sam’s was from a farm located in Xion, California (the key supplier for M&L Produce).
Aside from the six patients who sought treatment, epidemiologists tracked down and conducted interviews with 400 of the fair attendees to identify any potential cases who did not seek treatment and compare data with those who attended but did not become ill. Interview questions pertained to descriptive aspects of the outbreak (person, place, and time). Analysis of data collected on foods eaten allowed the epidemiologists to narrow it down and identify sandwiches served by Sam’s
Sandwich Food Truck at the fair on Saturday as the source of infection. Alcan City public health officials were quick to visit the food truck to inquire into their food management and handling. The food truck owner was cooperative and helpful in providing licensing, permits, operations, and sales information.
Descriptive epidemiologic studies are often conducted as precursors to analytic studies. Epidemiologic concepts are used to gather data to better understand and evaluate health trends in populations. Data, such as characteristics of the persons affected, place where an incident occurred, and time of occurrence, are collected and analyzed to look for patterns in an effort to identify emerging health problems. It was in just this way that the HIV/AIDS epidemic was first identified.
In this Discussion, you will apply the epidemiologic concepts of time, place, and person to a specific population health problem. You will also consider methods for obtaining data to study an issue.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
· Curley, A. L. C. (Ed.). (2024).
Population-based nursing: Concepts and competencies for advanced practice (4th ed.). Springer.
· Chapter 7, “Using Information Technology to Improve Population Outcomes” (pp. 158-182)
· Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021).
Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
· Chapter 4, “Descriptive Epidemiology: Person, Place, Time”
· Chapter 5, “Sources of Data for Use in Epidemiology”
· National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine. (2019).
Finding and using health statistics.Links to an external site.
SECONDARY DATA SOURCES
Use the following resources to locate secondary data sources for this week’s Assignment:
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.).
Data.CDC.gov: Home.Links to an external site.
· National Center for Health Statistics. (2015).
Resources for researchers.Links to an external site.
· Walden University Office of Research and Doctoral Services. (n.d.).
Explore existing datasets.Links to an external site.
· World Health Organization. (2021).
WHO Data collectionsLinks to an external site.
[Data sets].
· Secondary Data Sources for Population Health
Time Estimate: 2 minutes
· Walden University, LLC. (2021).
Descriptive epidemiology—person, place, and timeLinks to an external site.
[Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard.
· Walden University, LLC. (2021).
Theoretical models—One Health and socioecological modelLinks to an external site.[Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard.
To prepare:
· Examine Table 3.2 in your Curley textbook. Select a topic from the table to use for this Discussion.
· Locate two scholarly articles that provide background information about the problem.
· Identify a specific population affected by your selected health problem.
· Research the patterns of the disease in your selected population using the epidemiologic characteristics of person, place, and time.
· Consider methods for obtaining data to examine the association you selected.
· Ask yourself: How would the methods I select influence the accuracy of case identification, definition, and diagnosis
By Day 3 of Week 2
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
· Describe your selected health problem using the epidemiologic model (person, place, and time), with a focus on the population affected by this problem.
· Discuss sampling methods you could use to collect primary data to describe and study your health problem.
· Identify two secondary data sources that you could use to collect the data needed to address this topic.
· Explain how these methods and sources would influence the completeness of case identification as well as the case definition/diagnostic criteria used.
By Day 6 of Week 2
Respond to
at least two colleagues on
two different days in one or more of the following ways:
· Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
· Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
· Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
· Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
· Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
· Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
Izudowu
Epidemiologic Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults
Type 2 diabetes is a significant public health issue that has been increasing globally. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Using the
epidemiologic model, this disease can be described based on
person, place, and time:
·
Person: Type 2 diabetes mostly affects
adults aged 45 and older, but in recent years, younger individuals, including teenagers, have also been diagnosed due to rising obesity rates. Individuals with risk factors such as
obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, and underlying health conditions like hypertension are more likely to develop this disease. Socioeconomic factors also play a role, as low-income populations may have
less access to healthcare, healthy food, and opportunities for physical activity.
·
Place: Type 2 diabetes is prevalent worldwide, but the highest rates are found in countries with
high obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles. It is common in urban areas where fast food consumption is high and physical activity is low. In contrast, rural populations with limited healthcare access also experience high diabetes rates due to lack of awareness and medical support. Studies show that regions with
limited grocery stores and more processed food options contribute to higher diabetes risks.
·
Time: The incidence of Type 2 diabetes has
steadily increased over the past few decades, mainly due to changing lifestyles, increased processed food consumption, and sedentary behaviors. It is also a
chronic disease, meaning once diagnosed, individuals must manage it for life. Certain times of the
· year, such as the holiday season, may lead to an increase in blood sugar levels due to excessive eating and reduced activity.
·
Sampling Methods for Primary Data Collection
· To effectively study and describe Type 2 diabetes in a specific population, different
sampling methods can be used:
·
Stratified Sampling – This method divides the population into subgroups based on characteristics such as
age, BMI, ethnicity, and lifestyle. Researchers can then collect data from each subgroup to ensure a representative sample. This method helps compare risk factors across different groups.
·
Convenience Sampling – This method collects data from
patients visiting hospitals, clinics, or community health events. It is quick and cost-effective but may not fully represent the general population, as it focuses on individuals who actively seek healthcare.
·
Secondary Data Sources
·
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Reports – The CDC provides national and state-level statistics on diabetes, including
incidence rates, demographic trends, and risk factors. This data helps researchers analyze long-term trends and develop prevention strategies.
·
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) – Medical records from hospitals and clinics provide valuable data on
patient history, blood sugar levels, medication use, and disease progression. This data helps track diabetes patterns and evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Case Identification and Definition
·
Primary data collection helps identify undiagnosed cases and provides
direct insights into risk factors, lifestyle choices, and disease management. It allows researchers to examine new cases and track individual health behaviors.
·
Secondary data offers a broader
understanding of population-wide trends, helping define case criteria and monitor disease progression over time. It is useful for comparing diabetes rates across different regions and demographic groups.
·
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