Epidemiology

Question 1

Prevalence

Answer 1

The proportion of individuals in a population who have a disease at a specific point in time

Question 2

Incidence

Answer 2

The number of new cases of disease developing in a ‘population at risk’ during a specified time period

Question 3

Risk Factor

Answer 3

A factor associated with increased probability of disease

Question 4

Cause

Answer 4

A factor directly associated with and leading to a disease

Question 5

Relative Risk

Answer 5

Measure of strength of association of factor and disease.
Ratio of the risk of disease in the exposed + risk in the non-exposed

Question 6

Interpretation of RR

Answer 6

RR > 1 - positive, hazardous
RR = 1 - no association
RR < 1 - negative, protective

Question 7

Absolute Risk

Answer 7

Difference in risk between those exposed and those not exposed to the factor

Question 8

Primary Prevention

Answer 8

Action to prevent disease or injury before it occurs

Question 9

Secondary Prevention

Answer 9

Action to reduce the impact of disease or injury that has already occurred, by detecting and treating as soon as possible (to halt or slow progress, or prevent recurrence)

Question 10

Tertiary Prevention

Answer 10

Action to reduce the impact of an ongoing illness or injury with lasting effects (e.g. by optimising function or quality of life through rehabilitation)