MPH2051 - Communicable diseases control in developing countries

Leader: Dr M Creati

Offered

Alfred Hospital Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

The course covers the following topics:

• Global burden of Communicable Disease;
• Control and eradiction of vaccine-preventable diseases;
• Policy principles and practical challenges in planning programmes for the control of communicable disease;
• Water and sanitation: The prevention and management of enteric diseases and ORT: including cholera, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid;
• Diagnosis, treatment and control of tuberculosis;
• Case Management of Infectious Diseases in Childhood - Integrated Management of Childhood Illness;
• Control of vector-borne diseases including malaria and dengue haemorrhagic fever;
• Setting up surveillance systems;
• Vaccine developments - looking to the future;
• Sexually transmitted infections and syndromic management of pelvic disease.

Objectives

On completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify and justify appropriate approaches to disease monitoring and surveillance, outbreak and epidemic investigation, and disease control program evaluation.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the environmental context of the most common communicable diseases in developing countries, including appropriate use of resources and the development of systems to provide adequate water, sanitation, vector control and treatment services.
3. Demonstrate skills in the planning, implementation and evaluation of disease control programs, as well as preparedness for, and control of, epidemics.

Assessment

Exercise 15%
Essay 45%
Short-answer examination 40%.

Contact hours

5 x 4 weekday contact hours and
1 x 7 weekend contact hours

Prerequisites

Basic computer proficiency