EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH DATA INSIGHTS

Epidemiology & Health Data Insights (eISSN 3080-8111) is an international, open-access, peer-reviewed journal that advances epidemiology by integrating health data science. It fosters multidisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges through evidence-based research, promoting equity and guiding healthcare policy. The journal covers a wide range of topics including disease surveillance, predictive modeling, public health interventions, and big data applications, with an editorial team of experts in epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health.

Call for Publications

We invite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to submit manuscripts for publication in “Epidemiology & Health Data Insights”. The journal is committed to disseminating innovative and rigorous research that contributes to a deeper understanding of health trends, disease prevention, and healthcare delivery worldwide.

CURRENT ISSUE

Volume 1, Issue 2, 2025

(Ongoing)

Editorial
The Data-Driven Continuum: From Clinical Insights to Enhanced Patient Care and Population Health
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(2), 2025, ehdi006, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/16544
ABSTRACT: This editorial explores the transformative role of data analytics in healthcare, bridging clinical insights, personalized patient care, and population health management. By leveraging real-world data, predictive modeling, and AI, we highlight how data-driven strategies optimize treatment outcomes, enhance decision-making, and improve public health interventions—creating a seamless continuum from individual care to systemic health advancements.
Review Article
Malaria-Typhoid Fever Diagnostic Confusion in Nigeria and Its Impact on Treatment Delays and Mortality Among Pregnant Women and Children
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(2), 2025, ehdi008, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/16655
ABSTRACT: In Nigeria, typhoid fever and malaria continue to be the leading causes of feverish sick ness, particularly in children and pregnant women. Accurate diagnosis is difficult in loca tions with limited resources since both diseases are endemic and feature overlapping symptoms, such as high fever, malaise, and gastrointestinal distress. Frequent misdiagno sis is a result of this diagnostic overlap as well as systemic healthcare flaws such the Widal test's dependence, the varied sensitivity of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and in adequate laboratory equipment. Traditional beliefs and self-medication are examples of community-level influences that also contribute. These difficulties lead to improper ad ministration of antibiotics, delays in treatment, and higher mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. The epidemiology, clinical overlap, and diagnostic difficulties of typhoid fever and malaria in Nigeria are summarized in this article. It draws attention to the negative effects of incorrect diagnosis, such as treatment failure, antibiotic resistance, and poor maternal-child health outcomes. The report urges system-wide changes, public education, better healthcare worker training, and enhanced diagnostics such multiplex as says and more precise RDTs. Investing in water and sanitation infrastructure, regulating unlicensed healthcare practitioners, and improving surveillance systems are some of the main proposals. Reducing diagnostic ambiguity, enhancing clinical results, and safeguard ing high-risk groups all depend on filling these gaps.
Original Article
Understanding the Rising Trend of Medical Exemptions in Childhood Vaccination: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives in Kazakhstan
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(2), 2025, ehdi007, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/16650
ABSTRACT: Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions yet increasing numbers of unjustified medical exemptions in Kazakhstan threaten both herd immunity and public trust. In 2020 alone, over 208,000 temporary and 2,600 permanent exemptions were issued—often based on questionable clinical criteria. This study aims to explore the drivers behind the rising number of medical exemptions in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on the perspectives and attitudes of healthcare professionals.
Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, combining a desk review of national immunization policies and statistical reports with 27 in-depth interviews conducted in 2021–2022. Participants included healthcare providers and public health experts across urban and rural regions of Kazakhstan. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns in the data. Relevant national regulations were also reviewed and compared with international standards.
Results: Thematic analysis revealed four major areas of concern: (1) inconsistencies in pre-vaccination monitoring practices, (2) variability in post-vaccination follow-up procedures, (3) divergent roles and responsibilities among stakeholders in granting medical exemptions, and (4) limitations in surveillance and data systems for tracking and verifying exemptions. Findings suggest that physician over-cautiousness, legal insecurity, parental pressure, and inconsistent training are key drivers of unnecessary exemptions. The overdiagnosis of precautionary conditions—particularly by specialists such as neurologists—further contributes to false contraindications. These practices erode vaccine confidence and create barriers to timely immunization.
Conclusion: Addressing the growing problem of unwarranted medical exemptions requires policy reform, clearer clinical guidelines, enhanced physician training, and improved digital monitoring systems. Strengthening these areas is essential for restoring public trust, reducing unjustified exemptions, and ensuring high vaccination coverage in Kazakhstan.