Biostatistics for Global Health - ONLINE

Online course designed for professionals who wish to acquire the basic knowledge for the application of the fundamental principles of biostatistics in the field of global health.

Dates

13 February - 3 April 2025

Tuition

760 Euros + University taxes

Schedule

Part-time

Mode

Online, asynchronous

Language

English

Credits

4 ECTS (this course is in the process of accreditation through the University of Barcelona)

The Biostatistics for Global Health Online course is designed to prepare health professionals and researchers with essential statistical tools to analyze and interpret data in the context of global health, medical and social research challenges. 

Throughout the course, you will learn how to perform basic analyses of research data, using statistical software, - with a focus on STATA - and acquire the skills to interpret and understand statistical methods commonly found in the scientific literature.

With a flexible and practical asynchronous approach, the program covers key statistical concepts such as simple and multiple linear regression, hypothesis testing, characterization of independent and associated variable relationships, and the use of contingency tables. 

By the end of this course, you will be proficient in using STATA for statistical analysis, interpreting research results, and applying these skills to real data, with impact on global health.

Applications
This course is aimed at professionals from all disciplines and areas, who wish to explore biostatistics applied to the field of Global Health.

Methodology and assessment

• The course methodology is based on practical explanations and application exercises. 
• The modality is asynchronous, with a pre-determined schedule of activities and dates, and interaction with the faculty through the online forum and messaging.
• Course work and activities can be completed in a way that accommodates participants' schedules.
• The evaluation will be based on practical exercises and a final exam.

Resources and materials
A STATA 18 /BE license will be provided to each student, which must be installed on their computer (Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems). Throughout the course, downloadable text resources and video tutorials are available to advance the contents.

Coordinator
Sergi Sanz, Head of the Statistics Department, ISGlobal
Associate Professor at the department of Public Health, University of Barcelona

Faculty
Núria Botella, Statistician at the Biostatistics department, ISGlobal.
Associate Professor at the department of Public Health, University of Barcelona

Alba Morató, Statistician at the Biostatistics department, ISGlobal.
Associate Professor at the department of Public Health, University of Barcelona

1. Basic Statistics
1.1 Introduction to basic statistics
1.2 Introduction to Basic Stata 
1.3 Using Stata

2. Types of Variables: description, visual representation and Stata usage
2.1 Description of qualitative variables
2.2 Description of quantitative variables

3. Statistical Inference: Intervals and testing
3.1 Confidence intervals
3.2 Hypothesis testing

4. Statistical Analysis of Variable Relationships: Tests for Independence and Association
4.1 Two independent qualitative variables
4.2 Two independent quantitative variables
4.3 One quantitative and one qualitative variable
4.4 Two paired variables

5. Linear Regression Analysis: Concepts, Assumptions, and Model Evaluation
5.1 Simple linear regression
5.2 Multiple linear regression
5.3 Search the best model

6. Logistic regression
6.1 Probability and Odds
6.2 The logit and logistic models
6.3 Predicted probabilities
6.4 Categorical and quantitative covariates
6.5 Adjusted Odds Ratio
6.6 Model evaluation
6.7 Practice with data

Requirements
Candidates should have demonstrated interest in global health and in the use of statistical tools. 

Application
Interested applications should fill in the pre-enrolment form, attaching:

• A letter of motivation specific to this course
• A current C.V. detailing academic and professional experience