Reproductive Epidemiology

Reproductive Epidemiology explores the range of methodologies used to collect data and conduct analysis on the distribution and determinants of reproductive-related health states or events in human populations.

This unique book explores real-world reproductive health problems and provides readers with a guide on the use of methods appropriate for challenging and sensitive research topics, which include: sexual behavior, abortion, illicit drug use, and sexual abuse. Readers will come away with a clear understanding of the practical applications of epidemiology in the promotion of complete physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional, and environmental health as they relate to the reproductive health system and its functions and processes.

Key Features:

• Written for the students with minimal training in the biomedical sciences and statistics.
• Emphasis is placed on the application of the basic principles of epidemiology according to person, place, and time in order to solve current reproductive health problems.
• Guidance is provided on how to identify and describe reproductive health problems, formulate research hypotheses, select appropriate research study designs, manage and analyze epidemiologic data, interpret study results, and apply the results to preventing and controlling reproductive health problems.

Table of Contents

Section  One  Foundations and Methods in Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  One  Foundations of Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Two  Environments in Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Three  Research Process in Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Four  Surveillance in Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Five  Descriptive Reproductive Health Indicators
  Chapter  Six  Study Designs in Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Seven  Causal Inference in Reproductive Epidemiology
Section  Two  Applications of Reproductive Epidemiology
  Chapter  Eigth  Nutrition and Reproductive Health
  Chapter  Nine  Contraception and Reproductive Health
  Chapter  Ten  Mercury, Lead, Environmental Estrogens, and Reproductive Health
  Chapter  Eleven  Psychosocial Factors and Reproductive Health
  Chapter  Twelve  Early Childbearing: Trends and Consequences
  Chapter  Thirteen  Cancer Risk Associated With Early and Late Maternal Age at First Birth

  Appendix  I  Classification of Selected Measures of Association and Statistical Tests According to Variable Type
  Appendix  Ia  Outcome Data: Nominal With Two Categories (Dichotomous)
  Appendix  Ib  Outcome Data: Nominal With More Than Two Categories (Multichotomous)
  Appendix  Ic  Outcome Data: Continuous, Not Normally Distributed, or Ordinal With More Than Two Categories
  Appendix  Id  Outcome Data: Continuous, Normally Distributed
  Appendix  II  Selected Reproductive Health Indicators
  Appendix  III  Maternal Health Consequences of Early Age at First Birth
  Appendix  IIIa  Maternal Physical Health Consequences of Early Age at First Birth
  Appendix  IIIb  Maternal Mental Health Consequences of Early Age at First Birth
  Appendix  IIIc  Social Health Consequences of Early Age at First Birth
  Appendix  IV  Summary of Papers Examining the Potential Relation Between Early and Late Age at First Birth (AFB) and Cancer Risk
  Appendix  V  Answers to Chapter Questions

About the Author(s)

Ray M. Merrill, PhD, MPH - Brigham Young University, Utah

Ray M. Merrill, Ph.D., M.P.H. has been actively involved in epidemiology since his professional career began in 1995. As a Cancer Prevention Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, he worked with leading researchers in the area of cancer epidemiology. In 1998 he joined the faculty in the Department of Health Science at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, where he continued his research in epidemiology. Since 1999 he has also held an adjunct faculty position in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah. In 2001, he spent a sabbatical working in the Unit of Epidemiology for Cancer Prevention at the International Agency for Research on Cancer Administration, Lyon, France. He has won various awards for his research in cancer epidemiology.

Dr. Merrill currently teaches introductory and advanced level classes in epidemiology and biostatistics. He has over 100 professional publications in epidemiology and public health journals. He is currently a full professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Brigham Young University.