Introduction To Public Health
- Health Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 138 pages
- 13 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 52 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHS203, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE IN PRECOLONIAL NIGERIAPage 44
- UNIT 2 HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN COLONIAL NIGERIAPage 51
- UNIT 3: HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE POSTCOLONIAL PERIODPage 59
- UNIT 4: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND SUBSEQUENT HEALTH DEVELOPMENTSPage 65
- UNIT 5: STRUCTURE OF HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA.Page 73
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHS203 · UNIT 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH
The history of public health goes back to almost as long as history of civilization. Possible traditions during civilization may be, taboos against waste disposal within communal areas or near drinking water sources; rites associated with burial of the dead; and communal assistance during birth.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the historical development of public health.
- Identify the key determinants of health and disease.
- Explain the principles of primary health care.
- Describe the structure of health service delivery in Nigeria.
- Analyze ethical issues in public health practice.
What it prepares you for
- Public Health Officer
- Health Educator
- Community Health Worker
- Health Administrator
- Epidemiologist
- Government Health Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- International Health Organizations
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 5: Ethical Issues and Challenges in Public Health
Ethical considerations in public health require nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives and potential conflicts between individual rights and community well-being.
- Module 3:
UNIT 3. Organization of Health System Based on Primary Health
Requires understanding of complex interactions between various sectors and their impact on community health outcomes.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 56 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 1: General Introduction to Public Health · 4 hours
Read the introduction to understand the scope of public health.. Review the historical background and markers.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 2Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 2: Concepts of Health and Public Health · 4 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 3Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 3: Determinants of Health · 4 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 4Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 4: Major Disciplines in Public Health · 4 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 5Module 1: General Overview of Public Health
Unit 5: Ethical Issues and Challenges in Public Health · 4 hours
Examine challenges and ethical issues in public health.. Discuss public health values.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 6Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria
Unit 1: Public Health Practice in Precolonial Nigeria · 4 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 7Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria
Unit 2: Health Care Services in Colonial Nigeria · 4 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 8Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria
Unit 3: Health Care Services in the Postcolonial Period · 4 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 9Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria
Unit 4: Primary Health Care and Subsequent Health Developments · 4 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 10Module 2: History of Public Health in Nigeria
Unit 5: Structure of Health Service Delivery in Nigeria · 4 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 11Module 3:
Unit 1: Primary Health Care Concepts and Principles · 4 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 12Module 3:
UNIT 2 Health for All · 4 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 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 13Module 3:
UNIT 4. Community Based Health Services · 4 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events in public health history from Unit 1.
- Develop concept maps linking determinants of health (Unit 3) to health outcomes.
- Practice applying ethical frameworks (Unit 5) to case studies.
- Review the structure of the Nigerian health system (Module 2) and the roles of different levels.
- Focus on understanding the principles of primary health care (Module 3) and their application in community settings.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHS203 about?
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.
How many units does PHS203 have?
PHS203, Introduction To Public Health, has 13 units across 3 modules, over 138 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHS203?
PHS203 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Health Sciences.
Is PHS203 hard?
PHS203 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PHS203 take to study?
About 52 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.
How is PHS203 assessed?
PHS203 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PHS203?
Public Health Officer, Health Educator, Community Health Worker, Health Administrator and Epidemiologist.