Sidama Public Health Institute (SPHI)

Regional Data Management and Analytics Center

(RDMC)
Python Training
Hawassa, Sidama
January, 2025
 Training Description

• This training provides introduction to programming with Python,

tailored for public health professionals.

• Participants will learn the fundamentals of Python programming,

focusing on data manipulation, analysis, and visualization
techniques relevant to public health research, surveillance, and
reporting.

• It emphasizes practical application, empowering participants to

automate tasks, analyze datasets, and create insightful visualizations.
 Objectives
Understand fundamental programming concepts in general
Understand the significance of python programming in public health
Python Development Environment Setup
Understand python basics: syntax, data types, variables and operators
Objectives
Gather user input using input() function
Understand Control Flow, Looping and iteration in python
Understanding, Create and using functions
Core Data Structures: Work with lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets
Understand and Perform basic file I/O operations.
Write basic Python code to solve public health problems
 Overview of
computer
programming
 Computer system

• A computer is a machine that

processes data according to a set of
instructions.
• It consists of two main parts:
• Hardware: The physical components
(CPU, memory, storage, input/output
devices and Hardware that connects
a computer to a network).
• Software: The programs that tell the
hardware what to do.
• Think of hardware as a flesh, and the
software as the soul of human being.
• It is important that these two parts
work together.
 What is Programming?
• Programming is the process of
creating a set of instructions that a
computer can execute to perform
specific tasks.
• A computer program is also called a
computer software, which can range
from two lines to millions of lines of
instructions.
• Eg. print("Hello, World!")
• Computer Programming
Language: software used to
write computer programs
(instructions).
• Various programming languages
(Python, Java, C++, PHP, etc.)
Why Learn Programming

• Humans can only do manually

• We need a way to handle
large amounts of
information and perform
complex tasks efficiently ->
This is where programming
comes in
• Computers are excellent at
following instructions and doing
things repeatedly very quickly
• Programming is telling the
computer exactly what you
want it to do
Why Learn Programming…

• You don't need to be a software

developer or math genies to benefit
from programming.
• Programming helps you:
• Automate manual and repetitive
tasks.
• Analyze data, and perform
calculations more efficiently.
• Create custom tools that fit your
needs.
• Solve problems, and make your
work more impactful
 Key Programming Concepts
• Programming Environment: a collection of tools that allow
programmers to write and test code. It usually includes a text editor,
compiler, debugger, and other utilities. Eg. Notepad++, IDLE, Jupyter
Notebook, PyCharm,
• Syntax: The specific rules and structure used to write code in a
programming language.
• Data Types: classifications that define the kind of data:
integer(int): Whole numbers like 1, 2, 3; float: Decimal numbers like
3.14; Character (char): Single letters or symbols; Boolean (bool):
True or False values; String (str): A sequence of characters like "Hello
World“ etc.
• Variables: Containers that hold information
• Keywords: are words that have specific pre-defined meanings in a
programming language. Eg. Del, if,
• Operators: Symbols used to perform operations on values, such as
addition, subtraction, and comparison.
 Key Programming Concepts…
• Algorithm: A step-by-step plan for solving a problem
• Code: The instructions written in a programming language.
• Functions: Named blocks of code that perform specific tasks.
• Control Structures: Direct the flow of execution (if statements,
loops).
• Data Structures: Ways to organize and store data (arrays, lists,
dictionaries).
• Input: Getting data and commands into the computer
• Output: Getting results out of the computer
• Libraries and Frameworks: Collections of pre-written code
that can be used to perform common tasks and speed up
development.
 Bugs
• If you write code, you will encounter
bugs.
• A “bug” means a defect, error, or
problem with the code you’ve written.
• Fixing it required “de-bugging” the
program.
• In the world of software, there are a lot
of bugs (So many)
• your bugs will be hidden somewhere in
the code, and you have to go find
them
Don't stare;
Ask
• Finding Things on the
Internet

• ask the community forums

• https://stackoverflow.com/

• AI(
https://aistudio.google.com/
prompts/new_chat
)
 Programming Languages

• Talking to Computers

• Machine language: Native (binary) –

difficult for humans.

• High-level languages: (like Python) –

easier to use.

• High-level languages must be

converted to machine code

• Translators: compilers and

interpreters(python)
 High-Level
Languages (e.g.
Python)
• Readable like human language.

• Easier to develop and maintain

• Different programming languages

are like different ways to
communicate with a computer.

• Python is a popular high level

language, because it is easy to
learn, and used for many different
tasks.
 Python
• Python is Free and open-source
• It is versatile, and powerful
programming language.
• It is user-friendly, designed for
readability, easy to code and easy to
learn.
• It has extensive libraries (over
137,000 libraries available) for data
analysis, visualization, automation, and
much more.
• It can be used for data cleaning, and
data manipulation, in an efficient
manner.
• Easy to Debug: Excellent information for
mistake tracing.
• It enables the creation of custom tools
specific to the needs of public health
Why Python
For Public
Health?
 The Evolving
Public Health
Landscape
• Public health is increasingly
data-driven.
• Data is the key to
understanding and
addressing complex
challenges.
• Traditional methods are
struggling to keep pace with
the sheer volume of data.
• There is a need for more
efficient and effective tools
for data analysis and
decision making.
The Unique Challenges
of Public Health Data
• Data is often scattered across
multiple systems and sources
(hospitals, clinics, surveys, etc.)
• Data comes in diverse formats
(numbers, text, images, etc.)
• Data definitions are often
inconsistent.
• Healthcare data is always changing
and evolving.
• Data is complex due to many
underlying factors.
 Limitations of
Traditional Tools
• Spreadsheets and manual
analysis are time-consuming
and error-prone.
• They are unable to handle
large and complex data.
• They cannot easily automate
tasks or generate
visualizations.
• They are not effective for
modern analysis and rapid
response needed in public
health.
 Efficiency: Automates repetitive
tasks, saving time and reducing
errors.
Core Data Handling: Enables efficient
Corehandling of large and complex
Benefits datasets.
Benefits of
of Python Data Analysis: Provides powerful
Python for
tools for data analysis, statistical
for Public tests, and modeling.
Public
Data Visualization: Allows for
Health creation of informative and
Healthcompelling visualizations.
Flexibility: Adapts to diverse needs
and integrates with various systems.

Collaboration: Facilitates
teamwork, and collaborative
development of programs and
analysis.
Cost-Effective: Open-source, free,
and accessible, reducing costs and
reliance on proprietary software.
 Practical Applications
• Disease Surveillance: Python can
automate the analysis of data from
different sources for real-time disease
monitoring and analysis.
• Outbreak Response: Python can help
rapidly develop models to predict
outbreak patterns, and develop
dashboards for rapid response.
• Data-Driven Policy: Python can be used
to create visualizations of data that can
help drive better decisions and policies.
• Program Evaluation: Python can help to
analyze the effectiveness of interventions
and public health programs
 Real-World Examples of
Python Use
• Use of Python in the development of
contact-tracing apps
• Use of Python to generate real-time
dashboards for policy makers, to
help with decision making
• Use of Python to analyze the
spread of COVID-19
• Image Analysis: Python, along with
artificial intelligence and machine
learning, can be leveraged by
doctors to scan images like Scans
MRI, X-ray, and ECG and diagnose
patients with higher levels of
accuracy.
 Enhances Technical Literacy: Increases
understanding of data and technology.

Learnin Empowers Collaboration: Enables the

development of tools accessible to all team
members.

g Solves Complex Challenges: Equips professionals

to tackle intricate public health issues effectively.

Python Facilitates Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leads

to better public health outcomes through informed
strategies.

in Future-Ready Skills: Prepares professionals for

the evolving landscape of public health.

Public Transforms Work Practices: Changes how you

approach your work with data and technology.

Health Embrace Innovation: Harness the power of data

to improve public health initiatives.
 ⟩ Next Topic

• Python Development Environment Setup