KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
UNIT NAME: APPLIED EPIDEMIOLOGY
UNIT TITLE: HEH 400
LECTURER: DR. EMMAH MWANGI
REGISTRATION NO: Q32S/CTY/PT/11713/2022
NAME: VICTOR KIPTOO RUTTO
Ethical and Professional Issues in Epidemiology
Epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in
specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems, is a
field rife with ethical and professional considerations. Here are some of the key issues:
Ethical Issues
1. Informed Consent:
o Informed Consent in Practice: Before involving individuals in a study,
epidemiologists must obtain their informed consent. This involves clearly
explaining the study's purpose, potential risks, benefits, and procedures in a
language the participant can understand.
o Vulnerable Populations: Special care must be taken when involving vulnerable
populations, such as children, the elderly, or those with cognitive impairments.
Informed consent processes must be adapted to ensure comprehension and protect
their rights.
2. Privacy and Confidentiality:
o Data Protection: Epidemiologists must implement robust measures to protect the
privacy of participants. This includes anonymizing data, using secure data storage
systems, and limiting access to sensitive information.
o Balancing Individual Rights and Public Health: While protecting individual
privacy is essential, there may be instances where public health concerns
necessitate sharing anonymized data with relevant authorities.
3. Justice and Fairness:
o Equitable Distribution of Benefits and Burdens: Epidemiological research
should ensure that the benefits and burdens of participation are distributed fairly
across different populations.
o Avoiding Exploitation: Researchers must avoid exploiting vulnerable
populations, such as low-income communities or marginalized groups.
4. Minimizing Harm:
o Physical Harm: Epidemiologists should take all necessary precautions to
minimize physical harm to participants, especially in studies involving invasive
procedures or exposure to potential risks.
o Psychological Harm: Researchers must be mindful of the potential psychological
impact of participation, such as stress, anxiety, or stigma.
5. Beneficence:
o Maximizing Benefits: Epidemiological research should aim to produce valuable
knowledge that can improve public health.
o Minimizing Risks: The potential benefits of a study must outweigh the risks to
participants.
Professional Issues
1. Scientific Integrity:
o Honest Reporting: Epidemiologists must accurately report their findings,
avoiding bias and conflicts of interest.
o Data Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data collected and
analyzed.
2. Professional Competence:
o Staying Updated: Epidemiologists must continuously update their knowledge
and skills to keep pace with advances in the field.
o Adhering to Standards: Following established guidelines and protocols for
research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
3. Social Responsibility:
o Public Health Advocacy: Using their expertise to advocate for policies and
programs that promote public health.
o Community Engagement: Collaborating with communities to address their
health needs and involve them in research.
4. Collaboration and Communication:
o Effective Collaboration: Working effectively with other researchers,
policymakers, and public health professionals.
o Clear Communication: Communicating complex scientific information to
diverse audiences in a clear and understandable way.
5. Confidentiality and Data Security:
o Protecting Sensitive Information: Safeguarding confidential data and ensuring
compliance with data protection regulations.
o Data Sharing: Balancing the need to share data for scientific advancement with
the obligation to protect privacy.
References
1. American College of Epidemiology. (2012). Code of ethics for epidemiologists.
American College of Epidemiology.
2. Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford
University Press.
3. Gostin, L. O. (2008). Public health law: Power, duty, restraint. University of California
Press.
4. World Health Organization. (2008). Strengthening ethical review of health research.
World Health Organization.
5. World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for
medical research involving human subjects.
