Sample size calculation in cross-sectional studies

I often see people being a bit anxious when it comes to sample size calculations: I recently had a client having this problem when setting up a cross-sectional study. I here explain the solutions found to assist the client with this issue. Two different tools that are freely online available were used. continue reading

Teaching epidemiological study designs at UP

8 and 9 August 2011 I have been teaching quantitative research proposal writing to Doctor of Public Health students at the School of Public Health of the University of Limpopo, Medunsa campus. The first day the focus was on on the elements of a research proposal (research problem, objectives, methods). continue reading

Teaching epidemiological study designs

4 and 5 August 2010 I have been teaching epidemiological study designs to MSc and MPH students at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. I gave several lectures on the theory and on examples of studies, and we did two case studies using the Problem-Based Learning approach. continue reading

Zimbabweans in Louis Trichardt at high risk of diarrhoea

Thando Gwetu, one of the Master of Public Health students I supervised while working at the University of Venda, conducted a study on the prevalence and risk factors for diarrhoea among adult Zimbabwean immigrants in Louis Trichardt. The results were published as a scientific letter – of which I am the second author - in the April 2011 issue of the South African Medical Journal. continue reading

How do doctors and dentists experience their community service?

The main objective of a study initiated by Africa Health Placements was to review the experiences of the 2009 cohort of Community Service doctors and dentists, the factors that are related to that experience and the relation with their plans for the future. Furthermore, the study aimed to make recommendations for improvement of CS in order to meet its objectives. continue reading

Teaching epidemiological study designs to MSc and MPH students

Teaching epidemiological study designs to MSc and MPH students: lectures on the theory and on examples of studies, discussion of exercises and of two case studies using the Problem-Based Learning approach. Discussed were the principles, advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, cohort studies (both prospective and retrospective), hybrid designs (nested case-control study, case-cohort study), and randomised controlled trials. continue reading