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PHS203Health Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Public Health

This course introduces the basics of public health, exploring its historical development and significance, particularly in developing countries. It highlights health issues from antiquity to the present, emphasizing the evolution of public health practices and the roles of key figures. The course also traces the development of modern public health in Nigeria, from basic health services to the national primary health care system. It aims to provide students with a broad perspective on health and its determinants.

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52h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Public HealthHealth PromotionDisease PreventionHealth ServicesCommunity Health

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

History of Public Health

2

Determinants of Health

3

Health Promotion

4

Disease Prevention

5

Primary Health Care

6

Health Systems in Nigeria

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Public Health Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Health Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Health Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Health Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Epidemiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Government Health AgenciesNon-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)International Health OrganizationsHospitals and ClinicsResearch Institutions

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: General Overview of Public Health

4h

Unit 1: General Introduction to Public Health

4 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the scope of public health.
  • •Review the historical background and markers.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
2

Module 1: General Overview of Public Health

4h

Unit 2: Concepts of Health and Public Health

4 study hours
  • •Define health and public health.
  • •Discuss different perspectives on health.
  • •Review key terms like health promotion and levels of prevention.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
3

Module 1: General Overview of Public Health

4h

Unit 3: Determinants of Health

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the determinants of health including human biology, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare organization.
  • •Describe the relationship between culture and health.
  • •Discuss factors affecting community health.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
4

Module 1: General Overview of Public Health

4h

Unit 4: Major Disciplines in Public Health

4 study hours
  • •Discuss major disciplines in public health.
  • •List core activities in public health.
  • •Explain the relationship between community health, clinical medicine, and public health.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
5

Module 1: General Overview of Public Health

4h

Unit 5: Ethical Issues and Challenges in Public Health

4 study hours
  • •Examine challenges and ethical issues in public health.
  • •Discuss public health values.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
6

Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria

4h

Unit 1: Public Health Practice in Precolonial Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Define public health.
  • •Discuss public health practice in pre-colonial Nigeria.
  • •Highlight categories of practitioners in traditional society.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
7

Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria

4h

Unit 2: Health Care Services in Colonial Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the emergence of modern medical services in Nigeria.
  • •Describe the early organization and administration of health care services.
  • •Highlight the evolution of preventive health care service during the colonial period.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
8

Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria

4h

Unit 3: Health Care Services in the Postcolonial Period

4 study hours
  • •Discuss situations and developments in health care services in the immediate post-colonial Nigeria.
  • •Discuss health care plans and services as contained in the third and fourth development plans.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
9

Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria

4h

Unit 4: Primary Health Care and Subsequent Health Developments

4 study hours
  • •Briefly discuss Primary Health Care as a cornerstone for national health care plan and delivery.
  • •Highlight important aspects of Health Systems Reform and National health bill.
  • •Briefly introduce the National Strategic Health Development Plan.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
10

Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria

4h

Unit 5: Structure of Health Service Delivery in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Highlight the functions and parastatals of the Federal level of Health Care Delivery.
  • •Highlight the functions of the State level of Health Care Delivery.
  • •Highlight the functions Local Government level of Health Care Delivery.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
11

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Primary Health Care Concepts and Principles

4 study hours
  • •Describe the concept of Primary Health Care (PHC) and the related principles.
  • •Define Primary Health Care.
  • •List the elements of primary health care.
  • •Explain the principles of primary health care.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
12

Module 3:

8h

UNIT 2 Health for All

4 study hours
  • •Define Health For All.
  • •Describe global strategy for attaining Health For All.
  • •Explain the national strategy adopted to achieve the goal of Health For All.
  • •List the targets and achievement in Health For All.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.

UNIT 3. Organization of Health System Based on Primary Health

4 study hours
  • •Define the health system
  • •List the characteristics of health system.
  • •Describe the organizational structure of health system, at Federal, State and Local levels
  • •Explain the roles and organization of National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
13

Module 3:

4h

UNIT 4. Community Based Health Services

4 study hours
  • •Describe the responsibility of the community in the health care system.
  • •Describe the community involvement in the health delivery system
  • •Define the concept of the health care team.
  • •Describe the need for team based health care and role of the health service team leader.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events in public health history from Unit 1.

2

Develop concept maps linking determinants of health (Unit 3) to health outcomes.

3

Practice applying ethical frameworks (Unit 5) to case studies.

4

Review the structure of the Nigerian health system (Module 2) and the roles of different levels.

5

Focus on understanding the principles of primary health care (Module 3) and their application in community settings.

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