Introductory Course on Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Introduction:
The scientific arena today is largely evidence based and relies heavily on numbers or quantities. An inquisitive mind always needs skills to organise quantitative measurements in meaningful ways and place those against the context for better understanding. Connecting and weighing the understanding through a recognized paradigm consequently lead to generation of new knowledge or strengthening the already known ones with evidences.  The course on epidemiology and biostatistics aims at equipping a new researcher with the basic skill of dealing with the quantitative measurements that would lead to those evidences.

Course Description
The main objective of the course is to provide participants with an understanding of basic concepts of epidemiology and skills in quantitative techniques to plan design and undertake basic epidemiological studies on specific health problems. It is also expected that after completion of the course participants would understand scientific articles better.

In addition to theoretical, case studies and practical exercises, the participants are given hands on training on the use of PC to transform data into information through basic analysis using software such as Epi info and SPSS. The participants are also required to develop and present research proposals in groups.

Course content

Epidemiology

• Concepts in epidemiology
• Basic tools of measurements in epidemiology
• Overview of epidemiological study designs
• Literature search including demonstration and referencing using EndNote
• Cross sectional study design
• Case-control study design
• Prospective study design
• Estimation of risk and 95% confidence intervals
• Clinical trial design
• Outbreak investigation
• Screening and evaluation of diagnostic test
• Standardization for rates
• Bias in epidemiological studies
• Questionnaire development and data collection  
• Concept of causality
• Protocol development
• Ethical issues in research
• Critical review and scientific writing

Biostatistics

• Concept, scope and uses of statistics
• Measures of central tendency and dispersion
• Normal probability curve: concept, properties and use
• Sampling, sampling distribution, sampling error, standard error and confidence interval
• Test of hypothesis: t-test and z-test
• Chi-square test of independence
• Correlation and regression
• Non parametric tests
• Sample size calculation
• Use of P.C.: Epi-Info 3.5 and SPSS (Basics)

Duration
Four weeks. Sessions are normally conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all week days (Sunday through Thursday). But at times it may continue beyond this. A substantial amount of reading and preparatory work will be necessary during evenings and on week-ends.

Faculty members
The course is largely taught by the faculty from icddr,b.

Teaching methods
The course includes lectures, discussions, case studies, exercises and computer sessions. In addition, participants develop and present research proposals as a group exercise. There will be a test before and after the course, intended primarily as a tool for participants to assess their own progress.

Training materials
Comprehensive hand-outs are given to the participants as well as a CD that contains Epi-Info 3.5.

Target group
Medical graduates or Master’s in biological/health sciences or social sciences are eligible for the course. No previous formal training in epidemiology or statistics is required.

Number of participants
It is intended to accept a maximum of 18 participants.

Course fee
The course fee for the locals is Tk. 10000 (Taka Ten Thousand) for the individual and Tk.15000 (Taka Fifteen Thousand) for the institutional Participants and for international participants the course fee will be US $ 500 to cover the cost of training materials, faculty time, morning and afternoon tea/coffee, and certificate of participation. However, travel costs, medical insurance, other meals and accommodation are not included in the course fee. The course fee is payable on notification of acceptance preferably by wire transfer or bank draft in favour of icddr,b (bank details will be provided with acceptance letter). Admission will be confirmed only when the fee is received.

Selection of participants
In general, participants will be selected based on their pre-requisite qualifications and first come first serve basis, however, institutional and female participant will get preference.  Only selected participants will be notified by email or over telephone.

How to apply 
Please fill in the downloadable application form and send it to Dr. Md. Manirul Islam  at ted@icddrb.org on or before 10 July 2014. Applications should accompany a CV and employed persons should apply through their employer.

Further Information
Please contact:
Technical Training Unit
Phone: +880-2-8860523-32
Email:aftab@icddrb.org

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