Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine offers this course in collaboration with the Centre for International Health of the MacFarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health. Course content is largely based on actual field experiences gained by the MacFarlane Burnet Institute in their wide range of health development projects in more than 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific and Africa.

The course provides the skills necessary to design, implement, and evaluate the relevant programs that address the major public health priorities of communities in developing countries. Public health issues are presented in the broader context of economic and social development, stressing cultural, political, gender and environmental influences, as well as the impact of armed conflict and population migration.

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a detailed understanding of the principles of primary health care
• analyse the economic, political, cultural, social and gender determinants of public health in developing country communities
• demonstrate a familiarity with the basic elements of health program design, implementation and evaluation
• develop appropriate health program management tools, including situational analysis, population surveys, behavioural studies, health information systems, operations research and participatory evaluation
• understand the special factors associated with the health of women and the children and the dynamics of population growth
• investigate, manage, prevent, and control endemic and epidemic communicable diseases of public health importance in developing countries
• demonstrate a familiarity with the emerging health problems related to urbanisation, industrialisation, behavioural and environmental design
• develop community-based health promotion strategies to address health problems related to communicable, chronic and nutritional diseases and injuries
• demonstrate an adequate understanding of the special circumstances and actions required in an acute disaster setting, including a refugee emergency
• understand the interaction between human rights, ethics, medical practice, health services, the law and health outcomes
• be able to apply an economic analysis to public health problems, health services and prevention programs
• develop adequate skills in report writing, oral presentations, verbal and visual communications and the basic use of computers.

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, examinations, practical exercises, student presentations and class participation.

The course consists of four core units and four elective units. The majority of units are offered in block or partial block mode.

Core units

• MPH1040 Introductory epidemiology
• MPH1041 Introductory biostatistics
• MPH2048 Primary health care in developing countries
• MPH2049 Field methods for international health planning and evaluation

Elective units

Select four of the following or from the list of alternative units below:

• ECX9750 Principles of health economics for developing countries
• MPH2050 Health of women and children in developing countries
• MPH2051 Communicable diseases control in developing countries
• MPH2053 Public health in refugee settings
• MPH2054 Nutritional issues in developing countries
• MPH2055 Health ethics and human rights
• MPH2057 Aboriginal health
• MPH2058 Managing community-based HIV programs in developing countries
• MPH2082 Health communication and training

Alternate elective units (from Melbourne University)

• 505-691 International adolescent health
• 505-692 Disability in developing countries

The course articulates with the Master of International Health or can lead to the Master of Public Health.

Graduate Diploma in International Health