Practical Epidemiology: Using Epidemiology to Support Primary Health Care

Practical Epidemiology: Using Epidemiology to Support Primary Health Care is a book that emphasizes the importance of using epidemiological concepts and skills by health workers in Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) to investigate, plan, and deliver primary health care services and strengthen district level public health programs. It outlines the importance of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organization's principles for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and focuses on the role of district health systems in supporting national primary health care.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Practical Epidemiology: Using Epidemiology to Support Primary Health Care is a comprehensive guide that builds upon the successful Manual of Epidemiology for District Health Management, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva in 1989. This title specifically emphasizes the significance of employing epidemiological concepts and skills by healthcare professionals in Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), particularly in the areas of investigating, planning, and delivering primary health care services, as well as strengthening district-level public health programs.

The book begins by outlining the importance of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organization's principles for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It then delves into the role of district health systems in supporting national primary health care and utilizing epidemiological and demographic information for planning local and national health services and programs.

Chapters in the book cover various aspects of epidemiology, including the collection of health information, outbreaks caused by communicable diseases, the use of investigations and health surveys, data analysis and statistics, and the importance of communicating health findings and policies. A systems approach is combined with epidemiological methods to demonstrate how district health planning and primary health care can be strengthened, and progress can be monitored and evaluated, including improvements in access, quality, and coverage of health services and public health programs.

Ethical principles and addressing inequalities are considered throughout the book, with a dedicated chapter dedicated to the A B C of epidemiological definitions and terms. This book is particularly relevant for undergraduate and postgraduate university training courses in the field of health. It provides a comprehensive and practical understanding of epidemiology, enabling healthcare professionals to apply these skills in their work to improve health outcomes and promote equity in LMICs.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192848741