The University of Western Sydney
School of Science and Health
Introduction to Epidemiology (401076)
ASSIGNMENT 2
Autumn, 2019
Due date: 11:59 PM, 12 May 2019
This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in Topics 2-5, but
may also require knowledge from Topic 1. There are a total of 60 marks and this
assignment will contribute 30% towards the total assessment for this subject.
Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions.
Assignments should be submitted via vUWS (see specific instructions relating to
Assignment 2 on the 401076 vUWS web-site). Be as brief as possible in your
answers, and use the number of marks for a question as a guide to how much to write.
No answers need to be longer than a few short sentences or short paragraphs. Please
note this is an individual exercise.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.
Remember to save your assignment to make sure it is the final version and
submit only this. as:
Family name_First name_StudentID_Ass2_final
, Question 1: [24]
Read the following paper, and answer the questions below:
“Wilcox AJ, Lie RT, Solvoll K, Taylor J, McConnaughey DR, Abyholm F, et al.
Folic acid supplements and risk of facial clefts: national population based case-control
study. BMJ 2007;334(7591):464.”
(a) “What study design does this study employ?” [2 mark]
This study employs a population based case control study design.
Here two groups were formed and studied which is the case and the control
group.
(b) “What justification do the authors provide for conducting this study?” [2 marks]
Folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy was associated with
reduced risk of neural tube defects. Folic acid deficiency is also known to
produce facial clefts in rodents but the association of the same in humans is
unknown.
Hence, this study was conducted to know the association between folic acid
supplementation and facial clefts.
The fact that peri-natal multivitamins and folic acid supplements were often
taken separately in Norway, which allowed them to distinguish the association
of cleft lip with or without cleft palate with folic acid from the weaker
association with multivitamins alone – a distinction not possible in earlier or
other studies.
(c) “Can the same research question could be explored in Randomised Controlled
trial, explain why yes or why not?” [4 marks]
Yes, it can be explored in randomised controlled trial.
The confounders would reduce and so there will not be any need of
adjustment.
Random allocation of population would provide better results and the outcome
would not be pre-determined.
Results are confirmed based on intervention.
1) The case group and control group would be from the same population without the
pre-determined outcome.
2) They would be randomly allocated based on intervention and controlled group.
(d) “What was the overall crude and adjusted OR of cleft lip with or without cleft
palate in those consuming ≥400μg of folic acid per day compared to no consumption
of folic acid.” [4 mark]
School of Science and Health
Introduction to Epidemiology (401076)
ASSIGNMENT 2
Autumn, 2019
Due date: 11:59 PM, 12 May 2019
This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in Topics 2-5, but
may also require knowledge from Topic 1. There are a total of 60 marks and this
assignment will contribute 30% towards the total assessment for this subject.
Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions.
Assignments should be submitted via vUWS (see specific instructions relating to
Assignment 2 on the 401076 vUWS web-site). Be as brief as possible in your
answers, and use the number of marks for a question as a guide to how much to write.
No answers need to be longer than a few short sentences or short paragraphs. Please
note this is an individual exercise.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.
Remember to save your assignment to make sure it is the final version and
submit only this. as:
Family name_First name_StudentID_Ass2_final
, Question 1: [24]
Read the following paper, and answer the questions below:
“Wilcox AJ, Lie RT, Solvoll K, Taylor J, McConnaughey DR, Abyholm F, et al.
Folic acid supplements and risk of facial clefts: national population based case-control
study. BMJ 2007;334(7591):464.”
(a) “What study design does this study employ?” [2 mark]
This study employs a population based case control study design.
Here two groups were formed and studied which is the case and the control
group.
(b) “What justification do the authors provide for conducting this study?” [2 marks]
Folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy was associated with
reduced risk of neural tube defects. Folic acid deficiency is also known to
produce facial clefts in rodents but the association of the same in humans is
unknown.
Hence, this study was conducted to know the association between folic acid
supplementation and facial clefts.
The fact that peri-natal multivitamins and folic acid supplements were often
taken separately in Norway, which allowed them to distinguish the association
of cleft lip with or without cleft palate with folic acid from the weaker
association with multivitamins alone – a distinction not possible in earlier or
other studies.
(c) “Can the same research question could be explored in Randomised Controlled
trial, explain why yes or why not?” [4 marks]
Yes, it can be explored in randomised controlled trial.
The confounders would reduce and so there will not be any need of
adjustment.
Random allocation of population would provide better results and the outcome
would not be pre-determined.
Results are confirmed based on intervention.
1) The case group and control group would be from the same population without the
pre-determined outcome.
2) They would be randomly allocated based on intervention and controlled group.
(d) “What was the overall crude and adjusted OR of cleft lip with or without cleft
palate in those consuming ≥400μg of folic acid per day compared to no consumption
of folic acid.” [4 mark]
