Epidemiology is a science that investigates the health-sickness process in populations and analyzes determinants for the risk, occurrence and aggravation of diseases in groups of people, with the aim of producing information and orientations that might help in decision-making to prevent, control or eradicate these problems.
The importance of the knowledge generated by Epidemiology, for the orientation and definition of health policies as well as their subsequent evaluation, is widely recognized.
Epidemiology has grown markedly over the last decade. Despite this, the application of epidemiological methodology in the decisions made by Brazilian health administrators, principally at a municipal level, is still incipient. As such, the challenge is to use, process, and analyze existing epidemiological information, taking advantage of modern computer based analysis techniques, in order to provide a basis for the planning of actions and the definition of health policy.
In both the fields of teaching and research, the challenges are vast. The most important task being the formation of highly qualified and competent professionals in epidemiology, who, in turn, will guarantee the effective production of knowledge and elucidation of the phenomena related to the health-sickness process.
Objectives
- Develop epidemiological studies concerning human population groups, especially those of the semi-arid region of Bahia, which propose actions that can resolve the problems detected;
- To enable the student to develop all the stages of an epidemiological investigation (planning, execution, analysis and divulgation of a study);
- To enable the student to teach epidemiology;
- To enable, through the creation of scientific knowledge, an analysis of the health needs of the Feira de Santana Municipality and the semi-arid region.
Research Projects
Health of specific population groups
This project studies the health problems of, and actions targeting, children, adolescents, women, and other vulnerable groups, such as the black population. It aims to analyze the health indicators of these specific population groups in order to identify risk factors and evaluate assistance provided.
Coordinator:
Teaching staff: Carlito Lopes Nascimento Sobrinho; Graciete O. Vieira, Maura Maria Guimarães; Eneida de Moraes Marcilio Cerqueira; Edna Maria de Araújo; Rosely Cabral de Carvalho; Carlos Alberto Lima da Silva; Djanilson Barbosa dos Santos e José de Bessa Júnior.
Health, work and the environment
This Project seeks to analyze the conditions of groups of workers, the association between the nature of work and health problems, contamination and environmental degradation and their impact on the health of human populations, as well as the spatial distribution of diseases and health problems and their connection with living conditions.
Coordinator:
Teaching staff: Carlito Lopes Nascimento Sobrinho; Maura Maria Guimarães; Davi Felix Martins Júnior.
Epidemiology of oral diseases
Studies the epidemiological aspects of oral health problems, including dental caries, periodontitis, malocclusion, oral cancer, and orofacial fissures. It also addresses other themes connected to oral health, such as the planning and administration of public policy and programs that seek to promote greater attention to, and monitoring of, actions targeting oral health and the formation of odontology professionals.
Coordinator:
Teaching staff: Márcio Campos Oliveira; Eneida de Moraes Marcilio Cerqueira, Valéria Souza Freitas; Simone Seixas da Cruz; Johelle de Santana Passos Soares; Ynara Lima-Arsati.