Questions & Answers
Browse all 18 questions from the
Epidemiology Basics study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What is the primary goal of epidemiology?
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A
To develop new pharmaceutical drugs.
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B
To understand the causes and distribution of diseases in populations.
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C
To perform complex surgical procedures.
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D
To provide individual patient care.
2
Which of the following is a key component in the definition of an epidemic?
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A
A rare disease occurring in a single individual.
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B
An unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific geographic area.
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C
A disease that affects only animals.
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D
A chronic condition with a predictable incidence.
3
What does 'incidence' measure in epidemiology?
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A
The total number of existing cases of a disease.
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B
The rate at which new cases of a disease occur in a population.
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C
The severity of a disease.
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D
The mortality rate from a specific cause.
4
The study of the frequency, pattern, and causes of health-related states and events in specified populations is known as:
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A
Virology
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B
Immunology
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C
Epidemiology
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D
Genetics
5
What is 'prevalence' in epidemiology?
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A
The rate of new infections.
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B
The proportion of a population that has a specific disease or condition at a given time.
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C
The speed at which a disease spreads.
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D
The likelihood of recovering from an illness.
6
A disease that occurs at a consistent, expected level in a population is called:
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A
An epidemic
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B
A pandemic
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C
An endemic
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D
An outbreak
7
Which type of study observes and measures factors in a group of people without manipulating any variables?
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A
Experimental study
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B
Clinical trial
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C
Observational study
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D
Intervention study
8
What does the 'distribution' of a disease refer to in epidemiology?
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A
The genetic predisposition to a disease.
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B
The way a disease spreads through a population and where it occurs.
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C
The severity of symptoms experienced by patients.
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D
The treatment options available for a disease.
9
A study that follows a group of individuals over time to see who develops a particular disease is known as a:
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A
Cross-sectional study
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B
Case-control study
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C
Cohort study
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D
Ecological study
10
Which term describes a disease that spreads across multiple continents or worldwide?
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A
Endemic
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B
Epidemic
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C
Outbreak
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D
Pandemic
11
What is a 'risk factor' in epidemiology?
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A
A medical cure for a disease.
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B
A characteristic or exposure that is associated with an increased chance of developing a disease.
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C
A method for preventing disease transmission.
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D
A diagnostic test for a specific illness.
12
Which of the following is a common source of data for epidemiological studies?
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A
Personal diaries
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B
Social media posts
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C
Health records and surveys
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D
Fortune telling
13
The study of how diseases are transmitted from person to person or from the environment to people is called:
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A
Descriptive epidemiology
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B
Analytical epidemiology
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C
Environmental epidemiology
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D
Infectious disease epidemiology
14
What does a 'case definition' in epidemiology refer to?
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A
A summary of disease symptoms.
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B
Criteria used to determine who counts as a case of a particular disease.
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C
A list of potential treatments.
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D
The genetic makeup of a pathogen.
15
When a disease occurs in greater numbers than expected in a particular region or during a particular season, it is called:
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A
A pandemic
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B
An endemic
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C
An epidemic
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D
A sporadic disease
16
Which field investigates patterns and determinants of health and disease in populations and uses this knowledge to control health problems?
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A
Pharmacology
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B
Pathology
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C
Epidemiology
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D
Biochemistry
17
A study that compares individuals with a particular disease (cases) to individuals without the disease (controls) to identify potential causes is a:
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A
Cohort study
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B
Cross-sectional study
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C
Case-control study
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D
Randomized controlled trial
18
What is the 'determinant' of a disease in epidemiology?
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A
The cure for the disease.
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B
A factor that influences the occurrence of a disease.
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C
A measure of disease severity.
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D
The geographic location of the disease.
