Board of Studies document for Field Epidemiology Training Programme Master of Applied Epidemiology May 2002

Item

Title
Board of Studies document
for
Field Epidemiology Training Programme
Master of Applied Epidemiology
May 2002
extracted text
National Institute of Epidemiology
(Indian Council of Medical Research)
Chennai - 31

Board of Studies Document

for

Field Epidemiology Training Programme Master of Applied Epidemiology

Board of Studies document

for
Field Epidemiology Training Programme
Master of Applied Epidemiology

May 2002

National Institute of Epidemiology,
(Indian Council of Medical Research)
Po Box 2577, Mayor V.R. Ramanathan Road,
Chetput, Chennai-600 031.

Phone : 91-44-28261642 / 28265308
Grams: EPISTAT

Fax : 91-44-28264963
e-mail : nieicmr@vsnl.com, nie-icmr@eth.net

Contents

Page No

1.

Field epidemiology training programme-An Introduction

1

2.

Fied epidemiology training programme in India

2

3.

University affiliation and recognition

3

4.

Memorandum of understanding

4

5.

Curriculum development workshop

4

6.

Course inauguration and commencement

4

7.

Goal of FETP - MAE programme in India

5

8.

FETP - MAE programme objectives

5

9.

Number of scholars to be admitted per year

6

10.

Course eligibility

7

11.

Selection of scholars

7

12.

Course organization

8

13.

Attendance requirements

10

14.

Course description

10

15.

Training methodology

11

16.

Supervision/Guidance of scholars

11

17.

Faculty

12

18.

Assessment procedures

14

19.

Outline of modules for FETP-MAE programme

19

Field Epidemiology Training Programme - An Introduction
Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) helps in developing
a country’s public health capability with the primary goal of fostering

professional development of field trained epidemiologists who are

competent in the practical application of epidemiologic methods to a
wide range of contemporary public health problems. FETP focuses
on developing Competencies that are consistent with national needs

and priorities. The model for the training is learning by doing.
In 1951, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a two-year training

programme in Applied Epidemiology was established at Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA. This was the

beginning of the FETP. One more training activity at the international
level is devoted to public health and named as Public Health Schools

Without Walls (PHSWOW). PHSWOWs were initially conceptualized
by the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) for developing countries to meet

needs for public health human resources in an apprenticeship model.
Early on, the RF collaborated with CDC in the implementation of

PHSWOWs and used EIS and FETP graduates to start PHSWOW
programmes. Training programs in Epidemiology and Public Health

Interventions NETwork (TEPHINET) was established in 1997 underthe
auspices of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Division of
Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response, CDC, USA and

the Merieux Foundation. FETPs now operate in 40 different countries.
FETPs network through various formal and informal activities of

TEPHINET. FETP scientific annual conferences have served as forum
for the individual and corporate voices in the network.

1

Field Epidemiology Training Programme in India
National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi, has been

conducting 3-month courses on FETP as a regular feature. This is an

international course with some limited number of slots available for Indian
participants. In this course, during this 3-month period, participants gain the

basic knowledge on epidemiology, surveillance and related areas.
NICD and National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai also conduct a

10-day course on ‘Epidemic Preparedness and Response’.

During this

course, participants learn surveillance activities, identification of epidemics,

preparations for undertaking quick investigations and control strategies.
These courses are being organized at WHO South East Asia Regional levels
in India.
Both these courses provide exposure and basic inputs in applied
epidemiology. FETPs generally are 2-year courses aimed at producing

professional applied epidemiologists.
Fora country of the size of India, the actual number of applied

epidemiologists required even at district level and upwards would be around a
minimum of 1000. It is impossible at this stage to provide 2-year training for
these types of candidates in a short time. One can think of a pyramidal

structure:

a) Short courses for medical and paramedical staff in epidemiology with
focus on surveillance, epidemic preparedness & response

b) A 3-month course for district level officers to be taken up according to

regions.
c) A 2-year FETP for producing epidemiologists at higher level, with
necessary theoretical background and practical experience.
Government of India (Go I) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

have seriously considered these issues. In view of this, the 2-year FETP
2

course has been taken up by NIE with full support from ICMR and Go I and
funding from WHO and support from CDC, USA.

In September 1999, it was decided that WHO would provide expert services to
help NIE - ICMR in initiating the proposal on 2-year FETP course.

Dr. Mahomed Patel an expert epidemiologist and the then Chair, TEPHINET
visited India in October 1999. Dr. Patel had extensive discussions at ICMR

Head Quarters, Ministry of Health, and South East Asia Regional

Office

(SEARO), WHO, New Delhi. He visited NIE, Chennai; inspected the facilities

available at NIE and around; discussed extensively with the staff

members at NIE and was convinced about NIE's ability to start 2-year FETP
course with one year of preparation. He provided extensive materials on
the ongoingMaster of Applied Epidemiology (MAE) course at the

Australian National University (ANU) to NIE. Subsequently, Prof. M.D. Gupte,
Director, NIE visited CDC, USA and had discussions with Dr. Mark White,

Dr. Stephen Blount and various other important personnel. Dr. Mark White
provided very useful material to initiate 2-year FETP course and promised

technical support.
University affiliation and recognition
The FETP course is recognized for the award of the Master of Applied

Epidemiology (MAE)degree by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical

Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram. A two-member
team consisting of Dr. K.R. Thankappan, Associate Professor, Achutha Menon

Centre for Health Science Studies (AMCHSS) and Dr. A.V. George, Registrar,
SCTIMST visited NIE, Chennai on 20th and 21st July 2000. The purpose of
their visit was to finalise the details of curriculum, method of evaluation and the

financial implications of the FETP-MAE course.

The team had detailed discussions with several officers of the Institute
regarding various research and training activities carried out at the

Institute. They also visited the field practice area.
3

The two officers had a detailed discussion on the working arrangements,

faculty positions, visiting faculty, curriculum content as well as on the financial

aspects of the course with the then Epidemiology and Communicable
Diseases (ECD) Division Chief, Dr. Lalit Kant from ICMR and

Prof. M.D. Gupte.

The team expressed happiness and satisfaction on the available facilities at

the Institute and expressed confidence that the course could commence from
1st January 2001. A detailed flow-chart of activities, viz., broad

curriculum, assessment procedures and the draft of information brochure for

the academic session 2001 were developed. It was recommended that the
first batch of FETP-MAE course would commence on 1st January 2001.
Memorandum of understanding

A memorandum of understanding between SCTIMST and NIE-ICMR was

signed to formalize the affiliation of FETP course at NIE for award of the
MAE degree.
Curriculum development workshop

A curriculum development workshop was organized on 11th and 12th
December 2000. The main objectives were to develop and fine tune the course

syllabus for the 2-year FETP-MAE programme as well as identify potential
external faculty. Details of course content, teaching methodology and
evaluation were also discussed and finalised.

Course inauguration and commencement
The FETP-MAE course was formally inaugurated on 21st January 2001.
Eminent dignitaries graced the occasion. They included: Prof. K. Mohandas,

Director, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, Prof. N.K. Ganguly, Director General, ICMR, New Delhi, Prof. D.K. Sampath, Member, Ethical Committee,
4

NIE, Prof. L.M. Nath, Consultant, WHO-lndia, New Delhi, and
Dr. R. Ayyathurai, the then Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine,
Govt, of Tamil Nadu. Felicitations for the FETP in India were received from
CDC, USA, ANU, Australia, various ICMR institutes, and WHO - SEARO, New

Delhi. The FETP-MAE course commenced at NIE on 22nd January 2001.

Goal of FETP-MAE Programme in India
The primary goal of the FETP-MAE programme is to facilitate the development
of a cadre of public health professionals who are practitioners of
epidemiology at the field level and competent in addressing public health needs

and priorities efficiently and effectively.

FETP-MAE programme objectives

To achieve the above goal, the FETP-MAE programme aims to develop a
wide range of competencies in the core areas detailed below:
(i)

Epidemiologic Process

Carryout a situation analysis of the public health problems, needs

and priorities
Recognize the onset and investigate acute outbreaks
Design and conduct scientific investigations to test hypothesis

Estimate burden of disease - both communicable and

non-communicable diseases
Develop, establish and evaluate comprehensive, reliable and

sensitive disease surveillance systems
Evaluation of disease control programmes

Integration and application of epidemiologic, statistical and
computer resources appropriately and optimally

Carry out literature search and critical review of journal articles of
public health importance.

5

(ii)

Management

Identify and address public health priorities and needs
Efficient allocation and optimal utilization of available resources

Manage efficiently the administrative aspects of field activities
Efficient and effective management of public health programmes
(iii)

Communications

Prepare investigative study proposals in clear and concise manner

Maintain accurate, adequate and upto date records of activities
and events

Information dissemination to all concerned regarding critical
events in a diplomatic and judicious manner

Deliver verbal and written reports of critical public health events

and activities

Assist and strengthen training programmes in public health at
local and district levels
(iv)

Professionalism

Execute public health responsibilities focusing on quality of care

and high degree of professionalism in all phases of activities

Respond promptly to public health needs and priorities while
simultaneously maintaining professsional integrity and

safeguarding moral and ethical issues
Display professional judgment in decision making and action

initiation while addressing public health needs and priorities
Exude and enlist public confidence by maintaining a calm and

composed disposition during stressful conditions
Number of Scholars to be admetted per year
Up to 10 scholars will be selected per year.

6

Course eligibility

Applicants fulfilling the following criteria are eligible to apply for the course:
(a) MBBS degree recognized by the Medical Council of India
(b) Working in Public Health, preferably in State or Central service or in

Medical Institutions, sponsored on deputation for two years on a

full-time basis to NIE
(c) Three years experience in public health/surveillance activities after

MBBS
(d) Age below 45 years as on the date of commencement of the course
(i.e. 1st of January). May be relaxed by 5 years for applicants with
desirable experience
Selection of Scholars
(a)

Selection Committee:

FETP scholars will be selected by a Committee constituted and
approved by the Director of SCTIMST. The Committee will consist of:

(1) The Director of SCTIMST (Chairman)
(2) Director, NIE (who would act as Chairman in the absence of
Director, SCTIMST)
(3) The Registrar of SCTIMST

(4) Two faculty members from NIE
(b)

Course Announcement/ Advertisement:

State and central governments and medical institutions would be
contacted to depute eligible candidates for the course. At present, the
course announcement appears in leading news papers in the month of
September.
(c)

Selection Process:

Since this is a new development in the country, in the first few years it is
possible that we may not get adequate number of candidates, thereby
7

necessitating acceptance of all eligible applicants sponsored by

different agencies in the country. However, as the course becomes

known, we may have more applicants than we can accommodate. In
such a situation, we may have to go through a formal selection
procedure as detailed below:

- Short-listing of applicants,
- Review of applicants by Selection Committee and
- Personal interview of applicants
Couse organization

The course, in keeping with the FETP requirements and the University’s
mandates, spans across 24 months. The course commences on 1st January

each year. No vacation is availed by the FETP Scholars during the course.

The calendar of activities of the course is shown in the next page.

8

Field Epidemiology Training Programme (India) - Master of Applied Epidemiology.
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Activities sequence

Second year

First year

Jan :eb MarpApr Way Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

First contact session
First field posting:
(A) Description of field placement site facilities, institutional linkages and
laboratory facilities available for outbreak investigation in field placement area
(B) Description of existing surveillance / health information system
(C) Analysis of secondary data from surveillance system
(D) Journal critiquing

Second contact session
Second field posting:
(A) Evaluation of surveillance system for one or more diseases
(or)
Design a surveillance system and assess feasibility for implementation
(B) Evaluation of a National Programme (Health / Disease Control Programmes)

Third contact session

s
/



Third field posting
(A) Dissertation Project:
A Research Project of Scholar's choice relevant to application of
Epidemiology in Public Health
A scientific paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is expected from this work
(B) Review of literature on a topic related to the Dissertation Project

Investigation of an outbreak
Fourth and final contact session

L LLB

Attendence requirements
A minimum of 80% (relaxable up to 70% under certain conditions)
attendance is mandatory both during contact sessions and field placements

for course completion.

Course description
(a) The FETP-MAE course is a 2-year "learning by doing” programme.
It includes:
(i) Theoretical inputs through contact sessions at NIE for upto 6

months
(ii) Practical field training for 18 months in the State / agency from

where the Scholars originate

(iii) Participation in out break investigations
(iv) Attendance and participation at conferences

(v) Preparation, submission and defense of “Bound volume (BV)”
(b) During contact sessions, Scholars are exposed to salient aspects of

Basic and advanced epidemiology, Basic and advanced biostafistics, >
Public health management, Medical anthropology, Medical ethics,
Diseases surveillance systems and acute outbreak management,

Critical review of journal articles, Research methodology and Health
economics. The first contact session lasts for 3 months and subsequently

for one month at three different sessions.

(c) During field placements, training is imparted through "hands-onexperience”. During each field posting, Scholars are required to carry

out 2 or 3 small projects assigned to them and submit reports for the
same. In addition, Scholars are required to engage in one major project

of public health importance of their choice during the course of 2 years.
(d) An anthology of reports of the various field projects constitutes the BV
or dissertation.
10

(e) Major dissertation project will be a separate volume.
(b) To assure development of effective communication skills, Scholarswill
be guided for making paper presentations, preparing and

submitting out break and research reports as well as critically reviewing
journal articles of public health interest.

(c) Scholars will be assisted and encouraged to publish their project
findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Training methodology
During contact sessions, training is imparted through didactic class room

lectures, field visits, attendance at seminars / conferences / workshops, class

and home assignments, class room discussions, practical and case study

exercises and critical review of medical I public health literature / journals.
During field placements, Scholars are expected to plan and implement field

projects assigned to them. Project execution will include preparation of a
project proposal (including costing and financial resources support required),

plan of action, data collection and analysis tools and techniques, interpretation
of findings and report writing.
An important component of the training methodology includes facilitating

interaction of Scholars with peers, NIE faculty and local preceptors. To achieve
this, Scholars are encouraged to develop, critically review and resolve
problems encountered during field placements and also share lessons learnt
from the field through such exercises with all concerned.

Supervision / guidance of Scholars

Throughout the training programme NIE faculty mentors, monitor the
performance and progress of individual FETP Scholars. NIE Faculty - FETP
11

Scholars ratio is 1:2. Special needs of FETP Scholars are also addressed by
the NIE faculty so as to render the training programme a pleasant and

enriching experience.
During field placements, in addition to supervision by NIE faculty, FETP

Scholars are offered immediate guidance at local level by experienced local
preceptors identified by NIE.
NIE faculty maintain close links with sponsoring organizations and local

preceptors and thus jointly coordinate and facilitate the training programme of

FETP Scholars during contact sessions as well as field postings.
Faculty

The FETP-MAE is both multi and inter-disciplinary. Hence, it draws itsfaculty

from different disciplines, sectors and organizations. The teaching faculty
consists of qualified and experienced officers from NIE and other ICMR

institutions as well as visiting I guest faculty from State governments, private

organizations, academic institutions and expert consultants in FETP from CDC,
Atlanta, WHO, ANU, Australia. List of faculty participating in the FETP-MAE

programme include:
National Institute of Epidemiology
Core Faculty



Prof. M.D. Gupte, M.D., D.P.H., Director, NIE
& Course Director - FETP-lndia



Dr. Vidya Ramachandran, MSc (UK), MPH (USA), Ph.D.,

Assistant Director & Course Coordinator - FETP-lndia


Dr.R.Ramakrishnan, M.Sc., Ph.D., Assistant Director



Mr. B. Kishore Kumar, M.Sc., Research Officer



Dr. P. Manickam, B.S.M & S., M.Sc (Epid)., Research Officer

Epidemiologists from ICMR affiliated institutions are also inducted as faculty

members for the programme.
12

Consultant / Advisers
• Prof. K. Ramachandran (Retd. Professor of Biostatistics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi), Adviser to Director General, ICMR on FETP
• Prof. V.l. Mathan (Retd. Professor of Gastroenterology & formerly
Director, Christian Medical College, Vellore), Adviser to Director -

General, ICMR
Associate Faculty







Dr. B. Nagaraju, M.B.B.S., D.P.H., Deputy. Director
Mr. P. Jayabal, M.Sc., Deputy Director
Dr. B. Narasimha Murthy, M.Sc., Ph.D. Deputy Director
Dr. T. Venkatarao, M.B.B.S., M.Sc., Assistant Director
Mr. A. Elangovan, M.Sc., Senior Research Officer

ICMR Epidemiologists



Dr. M.S. Jawahar, Deputy Director (SG), Tuberculosis Research



Centre (TRC), Chennai
Dr. R. Ravi, Deputy Director (SG), Vector Control Research Centre



(VCRC), Pondicherry
Dr. S.P. Pani, Deputy Director (SG), VCRC, Pondicherry



Dr. S. M. Mehendale, Deputy Director (SG), National AIDS
Research Institute, Pune



Dr. S.K. Kar, Director, Regional Medical Research Centre,

Bhubaneshwar
External Faculty
CDC/WHO



Dr. Douglas Hamilton, Director, EIS, CDC, USA



Dr. Elliot Churchill, CDC, USA



Dr. George Conway, CDC, USA



Dr. Jason Weisfeld, CDC Consultant for FETP

.

Dr. William Keen, CDC, USA



Dr. Mahomed Said Patel, ANU, Australia



Dr. M.V.H. Gunaratne, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi



Dr. N. Devadasan, WR Office, New Delhi
13

Academic / Research Institutions









Prof. R.K.°Mutatkar, Hon. Professor, School of Health Sciences,
Pune
Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, Addl. Professor, Dept, of Cardiology, AllMS,
New Delhi
Dr. Gajalakshmi Vendhan, formerly Head, Epidemiologist and
Cancer Registry, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai
Dr. V. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Director, (SG) TRC, Chennai
Dr. D. Varatharajan, Associate Professor (Health economics &
Policy), AMCHSS, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr. P. Krishnamurthy, Director, Damien Foundation, Chennai
Dr.M.Suresh Kumar, (formerly with Institute of Mental Health),
Chennai.

Assessment procedures
Rationale

The FETP - MAE is a competency based training programme. The curriculum
is designed around specific sets of competencies that Scholars acquire

during contact training sessions and apply practically during fieldwork.

Competency based curricula are performance oriented. Through such curricula,
Scholars not only gain the knowledge related to a skill but also acquire the

basic understanding of when, where, why and how to perform that skill. The

FETP-MAE course seeks to establish the core competencies needed to
strengthen effective Public Health Practice.
Course Credits

The FETP - MAE curriculum combines in-class training through contact

sessions at NIE and practical - hands - on - experience through fieldwork.

About 25% of the time is allotted for contact sessions. The balance 75% is
devoted for fieldwork. The fieldwork provides practical learning opportunities
for Scholars to implement concepts learnt during the contact sessions and

acquire the competencies expected of them.

14

The FETP-MAE course carries a total of 80 credits distributed in three
categories as follows:
Category

Credits

I Contact sessions
II Practical assignments
III Field work

20
8
52

Total

80

Details of credit allotment for each category are described below
Category I

The Scholars are provided inputs in various disciplines through structured
modules during contact sessions. Each module is assigned credits as

detailed below:
Credits

Modules

1. Principles & Methods of Epidemiology
2. Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
3. Chronic Diseases Epidemiology

5
3
2

4. Biostatistics I

3

5. Biostatistics II
6.Organization & Management in Public Health
& Epidemiology in Health Policy
7. Health Economics
8. Anthropology in Health

2
2

9. Ethics in Epidemiology

1

1
1

20

Total
Category II

Credits in this category are assigned for participation of Scholars in

various training and project related activities such as:
Credits

Activity

Seminars
Practical assignments
Discussions and Presentations
Total
15

2
4
2
8

Category III

During field postings, Scholars are assigned several projects, which involve
the use of descriptive, analytic and evaluative skills and competencies and
submission of technical reports for the same.

The projects assigned during each field posting and the credits for the

same are as under:
Field Projects

Credits

First field posting

(A) Description of field placement site facilities, institutional linkages
and laboratory facilities available for outbreak investigation in

field placement area

2

(B) Description of existing surveillance / Health information system

3

(C) Analysis of secondary data from surveillance system

3

(D) Journal Critiquing

1

Second field posting

(A) Evaluation of surveillance system for one or more diseases
(or)

8

Design a surveillance system & assess feasibility for implementation

(B) Evaluation of a National Programme
( Health / Disease Control Programmes)

6

Third field posting

(A) Dissertation Project

A Research Project of Scholar’s choice relevant to application of

Epidemiology in Public Health

15

A scientific paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is expected from this work

(B) Review of literature on a topic related to the Dissertation Project

2

Investigation of an outbreak
(as and when it occurs, any time during the 2 year period)

12
Total 52

16

Grading System

Scholars are assessed separately during contact sessions as well as during

fieldwork.
For Categories I and II

Assessment of Scholars is continuous. For each module, Scholars are
assessed through a variety of methods e.g. practical assignments, participation

in discussions, seminar presentations, report writing and term examinations.
A five letter grading system described below is used to assess Scholar’s per­

formance:
Points

Grade
A

B

5
4

C
D

3
2

E

0

For Category III

During field postings, the Scholars are assessed on their execution of the field
projects assigned to them and the reports submitted for the same. Each project
will be assessed using the same five letter grading system. A review panel

(NIE faculty and local preceptors) will periodically monitor the Scholar’s progress

and performance during field postings.
The defense of Bound Volume (BV) and Dissertation

Bound Volume

Sbholars have to submit a BV, which includes (1) all the field projects com­
pleted during first two field postings (2) abstracts I papers presented at confer­

ences and (3) articles accepted for publication in scientific journals.
17

Dissertation Project:

The Scholar will submit the Dissertation Project completed during the third field

posting.
NIE faculty will critically review the BV and Dissertation Project and recommend
the same to the panel of examiners for review.
Viva voce examination

A panel of examiners (internal and external) duly appointed by NIE and SCTIMST
will conduct an oral examination. The viva voce examination will be focused on

the work contained in the Scholar’s BV and Dissertation Project. The aim of
the viva voce examination is to clarify issues related to the projects in the BV
and Dissertation Project. The decision of the panel of examiners will be final.
Criteria for award of MAE Degree

To qualify for award of the FETP-MAE degree, the Scholar must:
(i)

Obtain a pass in all individual course modules and assigned field

projects with a minimum grade of ‘D’
(ii)

Secure an overall average minimum grade of ‘C’

(iii)

A pass in the viva voce examination

(iv)

Participate in at least one ongoing outbreak investigation

(v)

Participate I Present a paper or poster in a National I International

Conference
Continuation in the Programme

(a) If a candidate fails (Grade ‘E’ ) in one or more of the requirements

listed under categories I, II and III at the first attempt, ONE additional
opportunity will be provided to pass the same within a period of 6
months.
(b) If a candidate does not obtain a pass in the viva voce examination,

an additional opportunity will be given to reappear for the same within
a period as recommended by the panel of examiners.
18

Outline of modules for FETP-MAE programme
1.

PRINCIPLES & METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY

Definition, Historical background, Aims & uses of epidemiology; Concepts
of cause, Causal association and web of causation; Grouping of ill persons &
Classification of all diseases; describing disease distribution in epidemiological

terms e.g. Time, Place and Person characteristics.

Measurements in epidemiology; Cross-sectional surveys, Cohort studies,
Case-control studies, Retrospective cohort studies, Nested case-control
Studies and Case-cohort studies, Randomized controlled trials, Screening for
disease.
2.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY

(a) Concepts of infection & disease; Epidemiological triad; Natural
history of disease; Immunity to infectious diseases; Herd immunity;

Determinants of health & disease, Epidemiology of selected common
infectious diseases of public health importance - e.g. vaccine
preventable diseases, Plague, STDs, HIV/AIDS, Diarrhoeal diseases
including Cholera, Acute respiratory infections, Emerging & re-emerging
diseases, Antibiotic resistant infections, National disease control

programmes.
(b) Disease surveillance, Epidemic preparedness & response, Principles
& management of outbreaks in a community, Principles of disease

surveillance, Design and evaluation of a surveillance system,

National programme for surveillance of communicable diseases.
3.

CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY

Concepts of epidemiologic transition and the emergence of chronic disease
burden - particularly non-lnfectious diseases e.g. CVD, Hypertension, Diabetes

Mellitus, Respiratory Diseases-Allergic conditions, Bronchial asthma, Cancer
and reemerging/new infectious diseases e.g. Tuberculdsis, Filariasis, issues
19

in study designs of chronic diseases and development of a surveillance
system for chronic diseases, Molecular and laboratory techniques in
diagnosis of infectious diseases and outbreak management.
4.

BIOSTATISTICS - I

Basic concepts in biostatistics, Nature of statistical data, Tabular and

diagramatic presentation of data, Measures of central tendency and Measures
of dispersion; Introduction to probability and probability distrioutions, Sampling

distribution and concept of Confidence Intervals and Testing of Hypothesis,
Sources of Indian data, Population census, SRS and causes of death

statistics.
5.

BIOSTATISTICS - II

Testing of hypothesis for single mean & single proportion, Two means and
two proportions, Chi-square test for several proportions, Introduction to ANOVA,
Introduction to non-parametric tests, Correlation and regression including

introduction to multiple linear regression, Introduction to survival analysis and
life tables; Direct and indirect standardization, Use of computers in analysis of
epidemiological data.
6.

ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Evolution of health care System in India, Health programme development,

Role of epidemiology in programme development, Management in public

health : Organization & organizational behaviour, MIS/HIS/IEC and Monitoring

and evaluation
7.

EPIDEMIOLOGY IN HEALTH POLICY

Health policy formulation in India, Definition of public policy and health policy,
Influence of science, economics, sociology and politics on health policy

including advocacy, Gender issues in public health and health policy

20

8.

HEALTH ECONOMICS

Introduction, Techniques of economic evaluation, Cost concepts, Measures
of effectiveness and decision Rule
9.

ANTHROPOLOGY IN HEALTH



Underlying principles of Anthropology and their application to public



Case studies to demonstrate application of Anthropology to Public Health

health and overview of anthropological methods


Infectious diseases and Non-infectious diseases

Qualitative research methods

-

Participant observation

-

Ethnographic studies

-

In-depth interview

-

Key informant interview

-

Focus group discussions

Case studies of any of these


10.

Analysis and interpretation of qualitative studies
ETHICS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY

Ethical issues as applicable to epidemiology, Historical foundations and
Professional standards of conduct for epidemiologists, securing consent for

epidemiologic research, Confidentiality and privacy protection, Ethically
optimized study designs, Ethical issues in the interaction with study subjects
and disclosure of results, Role of the institutional review board and ethical
review committees - equity and quality assurance issues, Prevention

of scientific misconduct in epidemiologic research.

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Media
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