Series on epidemiologyCausation in Epidemiology
Section snippets
Prevailing Models of Causation in Epidemiology
There are a multitude of definitions and models of causation in epidemiology, yet space precludes a thorough presentation of this material herein; fortunately, this topic has been covered in adequate detail elsewhere. Many of the currently debated definitions and models have their roots in the purely deterministic model of disease causation described by Henle and Koch in the late 19th century.1 They describe 4 criteria necessary to establish a casual relationship between a microbe and a
Integrating Causation into Epidemiologic Study Design and Analysis
The component-cause model serves as a framework on which issues of confounding and interaction (or effect modification) can be better incorporated into epidemiologic study design and analysis. Directed acyclic graphs operationalize the causal “pies” into causal diagrams that depict the functional relationships between various hypothesized component causes of a disease (Figure 1). Directed acyclic graphs are more complex than can be appreciated within the confines of this editorial, and the
Approaches to Causal Inference in Epidemiology
It should be noted that there are other definitions and models of causation in epidemiology. These models are not necessarily competing approaches, yet they offer different perspectives on the issue. The more scientific or logical definitions of causation seek to explain the world, whereas a goal of epidemiology is more practical: that is, to inform public health efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality. For example, it was possible to diminish the epidemic of cholera in London by identifying
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Cited by (7)
Experiences and cultural beliefs of patients with diabetes: Lessons for nursing practice, education and policy
2022, International Journal of Africa Nursing SciencesCitation Excerpt :These findings are similar to interpretations on causal theories of diabetes noted by Mercado-Martinez and Ramos-Herrera, (2002). Similarly, a study focused on patients’ personal accounts of having diabetes mellitus, found problems of everyday life (dietary sugar, stressful events) were considered as causative, in contrast to the received wisdom of the health care professionals (McGwin, 2010), whereby explanation for the condition is thought to be related to bacteria and/or viruses (National Institutes of Health (US), 2007). The findings of the current study are consistent with the lay perspectives and belief system of disease attributable causes (Kottak, 2008), emotional and naturalistic factors, and causative framework of diseases, which relate to personal and environmental factors, social factors including interpersonal stress, destiny of persons, witchcraft activities and sorcery (Helman, 2001).
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