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Which study design suits an outbreak of gastroenteritis among wedding guests, where a complete guest list is available?
AA case-control study drawn from the town
BA retrospective cohort study of the guests
CA cross-sectional survey of the community
DA randomised clinical trial of the guests
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. A retrospective cohort study of the guests
1. A guest list defines the whole exposed population, so every member can be contacted.
2. The investigator records what each guest ate and drank, then whether that guest fell ill.
3. That is a retrospective cohort study, the design of choice for a small, well-defined population.
4. A case-control study is reserved for outbreaks with no well-defined population, where controls must be sampled.
5. A clinical trial would mean assigning exposures deliberately, which is neither possible nor ethical after the event.
_Source: CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, 3rd Edition, section Retrospective Cohort Studies_
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