University of Western Sydney School of Science

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The University of Western Sydney
School of Science and Health
Introduction to Epidemiology (401076)
ASSIGNMENT 1
Spring, 2019
Due date: 25/08/2019 11:55PM
This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in in weeks 1 to 3
(not including measures of association). There are a total of 60 marks and this
assignment will contribute 20% towards the total assessment for this subject.
Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions.
Assignments should be submitted via vUWS (see specific instructions relating to
Assignment 1 on vUWS).
Be as brief as possible in your answers, and use the number of marks for a question as
a guide to how much to write.
No answers need to be longer than a few short sentences or short paragraphs. No need
for referencing
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval. Any request needs
supporting documents.
Remember to save your assignment to make sure it is the final version and
submit only this. as:
Family name_First name_StudentID_Ass1_final
After due date I will not be able to remove the assignment. It is controlled by
Turnitin!! So the only version that will be corrected is the last one you submitted
before due date

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Question 1(14)
(1a) “In June 2009, a study was conducted to determine the prevalence of flu in health
professionals who had patient contact and worked in three Melbourne hospitals, Of
the 165 participants, three were serologically confirmed flu cases. “
a) What was the prevalence of flu among health professionals in Melbourne? [2 Marks]
“ (1b) In December 2009, another study was conducted to determine the prevalence
of flue among health professionals with patient contact, working in three Melbourne
hospitals. Health professionals were asked whether they had experienced flu-like
symptoms during the previous winter (June-August). Of the 165 participants, 25
responded in ‘yes’ to this question.”
(b) What was the prevalence of flu according to this question? [2 marks]
“(1c) The average duration of flu is estimated as two weeks (14 days). Can you
estimate the incidence rate of flu in the winter season for June 2009? A hint: when
computing, you need to use the decimal version of the prevalence” (4 marks)
“(1d) In the same study of flu among health professionals in Melbourne started in
June 2009 (see a) the participants were followed up to the end of the winter season.
Within this time frame, there were 22 people serologically confirmed flu cases. What
was the incidence of flu in the 2009 winter season (June August)?” (4 marks)

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(1e) What is the difference between the incidence rates you have computed in 1c, and
1d [2 marks]
Question 2
This figure present the occurrence of disease in 7 individuals who were followed for 7
years.
a) Calculate the incidence of the disease [4 Marks]
(b) Calculate the cumulative incidence of the disease [2 Marks]
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