Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

What type of study design is best suited for identifying risk factors for a rare form of bone cancer in children?

1. Prevalence survey.

2. Case-control study.

3. Cohort study.

4. Experimental study.

The correct answer is: Case-control study.

A case-control study is particularly well-suited for identifying risk factors for rare conditions such as a rare form of bone cancer in children. This study design involves comparing individuals who have the disease (cases) to individuals who do not have the disease (controls) to identify potential risk factors or exposures that may be associated with the condition. The primary advantage of a case-control study in this context is its efficiency, especially when the disease is rare. Since only a limited number of cases are available, this design allows researchers to gather a sufficient number of controls to analyze and compare possible risk factors without needing a large population sample. By focusing on individuals who already have the disease, researchers can more easily identify and evaluate their past exposures to potential risk factors, thereby helping to elucidate causal relationships. In contrast, a prevalence survey would primarily provide information about the distribution of the disease in a certain population at a specific time, without investigating the relationship between exposures and the disease. A cohort study, while valuable for studying the effects of risk factors over time, requires a larger sample size and long-term follow-up, making it less practical for rare diseases. An experimental study involves intervention and is not typically used to identify risk factors, particularly for diseases like cancer that may take years