Epidemiological methods: a view from Africa

Abstract This chapter focuses on the development of epidemiology in Africa. The development of epidemiology can be viewed in three broad historical dimensions: the age of discovery, largely dominated by work on communicable diseases; wider applications of epidemiology to chronic diseases and accidents; and modern epidemiology including sophisticated applications of epidemiological tools including mathematical modelling. Cross-national studies and epidemiological research capacity in Africa are also discussed.