INTERNATIONAL TRAINING IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS

Epidemiology and Bio-statistics using Stata

Introduction

Participants will learn the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics and gain skills in using epidemiological and biostatistical tools to describe, monitor and investigate the determinants of population health. The statistical background required to conduct research, describe, summarize, develop hypothesis, assess associations, analyze data, interpret and communicate results will be studied comprehensively. The course targets health care professionals who wish to consolidate their knowledge and skills and increase their understanding of the importance of epidemiology and statistics in public health today.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

•                   Use epidemiological and biostatistical tools to describe, monitor and investigate the determinants of population health.

•                   Gain key statistical background necessary for conducting valid research

•                   Describe and summarize data

•                   Develop hypothesis and analyze data.

•                   Interpret and communicate results

Module 1:

1. Data management & graphics in Stata

Introduction to Stata

•                   Starting Stata

•                   Setting layout

•                   Directory management commands

•                   Data types in Stata

•                   Using Stata as a calculator

•                   Stata command and options

•                   Stata do-files

•                   Creating data sets directly in Stata

•                   Rename of variables

•                   Managing variables and/or variable properties

•                   Importing data from other software

•                   Exporting data to other software

•                   Loading data into the memory

•                   The in and if qualifiers

•                   The by prefix

•                   Create subsets (keep and drop)

•                   Create random variables (from distributions)

•                   Random sampling

•                   Sort variables

•                   Change order of variables

•                   Count number of observations

•                   Generate sequential numbers

•                   Working with dates

•                   Viewing data sets

•                   Interrupting computations

•                   Help

Module 2:

Creating and changing variables

Transforming variables and data sets

Introduction to Stata graphics

Module 3:

2. Biostatistics

Introduction to statistical concepts

Hypothesis testing

Tests of differences in population means 

Module 4:

Analysis of contingency tables

Non-parametric methods

Linear regression and correlation

Module 5:

3. Epidemiology

Measures of disease frequency

Module 6:

Measures of effect for categorical data

Measures of effect for stratified categorical data

Vital statistics

Clinical research designs

Module 7:

Case report and series

Cross-sectional studies

Cohort studies

Case-control studies

Misclassification 

Module 8:

Confounding

Remedies for confounding

Effect modification

Module 9:

Introduction to survival analysis

Module 10:

Research ethics and statistics