GIS and Remote Sensing for Epidemiology and Public Health Course

INTRODUCTION

Epidemiology seeks to determine associations between exposure risk and disease that are spatially dependent. Public health focuses on the health of populations rather than of individuals and focuses more on prevention of health problems. These efforts fall naturally within the domain of problems requiring use of spatial analysis as part of the solution, and GIS and other spatial analysis tools are therefore recognized as providing potentially transformational capabilities for Epidemiology and public health efforts.

Statistics are a mainstay in the toolkit of public health professionals. Human memory being what it is, however, even Public health professionals with reasonable statistical training, over the years, often forget the basics. If professionals are going to make sensible use of consultants, communicate effectively with funders, and understand others’ reports, then they often need at least a conceptual understanding of relatively complex, recently developed statistical techniques. This course are: to link common public health questions with appropriate statistical procedures; to offer a strong conceptual grounding in several important statistical procedures; and to describe how to interpret the results from the statistics in ways that are principled and will be persuasive to intended audiences using simple software tools.

Participants will acquire hands-on skills in use of Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool to capture, store, analyze, manage, and visualize disease cases data that is geographically linked. The participants will also acquire statistical data analysis skills.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The course is targeted at individuals working with health data that have no experience using GIS but would like to learn how it can be applied in their work.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To develop Understanding on the different components of a GIS and the role GIS plays in solving epidemiological and public health problems.
• To present to participants all data-related aspects of a GIS, such as the data models in GIS, data input, data editing, data visualization, metadata and managing a spatial database.
• To Carry out advanced analyses of geographical data with specific reference to epidemiological related issues
• To improve data management and analysis skills of the participants
• To perform spatial and temporal epidemiological and public health analysis using GIS.
• Establish understanding on how to work with spatial data and GIS techniques to solve epidemiology and public health problems.
• To expose participants to data capture, input, manipulation and display by GIS
• To demonstrate to participants use of GIS in mapping health facilities and projects.
• To explain to the participants role of GIS as a decision support system in public health

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

The training workshop will discuss the application of GIS in Public Health under the following themes:

Module 1: Epidemiology and public health concepts and frameworks

• Introduction to Epidemiology and public health concepts
• Introduction to GIS in Epidemiology and public health context
• Planning for a GIS system installation
• GIS Data sources for Epidemiology and public health
• Working with a GIS software

Module 2: GIS data management in epidemiology and public health.

• Public health and epidemiology GIS Database creation
• Data Types and Data Sources in Epidemiology and public health
• Working with GIS Data
• Working with data from different sources (databases, shapefiles and spreadsheets)
• Facilitated Practical exercises in working with GIS Data
• Styling and symbolization

Module 3: Spatial mapping and Visualization in Epidemiology and Public health

• Mapping Project activities
• GIS mapping of priority public health problems (HIV and AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis)
• GIS mapping of most at risk populations (MARPS)
• GIS Mapping of health facilities and health resources

Module 4: GIS for monitoring in Epidemiology and public health

• GIS in Disease transmission and progression mapping
• GIS as a Decision Support System for Public Health Management (What, where, when, how and why analysis – case studies)
• Use of GIS in Epidemiology and Health Related Disaster Management (case studies or practical)
• GIS in Environmental management and Public health (case studies or practical)

Module 5:

• Participatory GIS in public health
• Use of mobile GIS in health surveillance and assessments
• Integrating GIS into Electronic Medical Records (case studies or practical?)

Module 6: Basic statistical data analysis for Epidemiology and Public health

• Introduction to excel
• Preparing data for analysis
  • Creating a list
  • Manipulating data using formulas
  • Outlining and Sorting data
  • Entering Data: Data Forms
  • Finding Records Using Criteria
  • Filtering Data
  • Data Auditing
  • Data validation

Graphs and ChartsLine Graphs

• Bar Charts
• Statistical Data Analysis with ExcelPresentation using Pivot charts
  • Descriptive Statistics
  • Pivot tables
  • Probability Distribution
  • Hypothesis tests
  • Analyses of Variance
  • Measures of Precision
  • Single Factor Experiments
  • Factorial Experiments
  • Regression Analysis
• Data Quality reporting

METHODOLOGY

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with an Indepth Research Services (IRES) certificate.

TRAINING VENUE

The training is residential and will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Mob: +254 715 077 817

Tel: 020 211 3814

TAILOR- MADE

This training can also be customized for your institution upon request to a minimum of 4 participants. You can have it delivered in our training centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 715 077 817, +254 (020) 211 3814 or mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PAYMENT

Payment should be transferred to IRES account through bank on or before C.O.B. 15th  July 2018.

Send proof of payment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Payment for the all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

1.    Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

2.    No refunds will be made 14 days or less to the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training at a later date, or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Please Note: The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.