This module aims to provide students with knowledge and critical understanding of the principles and processes of designing and monitoring a disease control programme in a low or middle-income country.
In most low and middle-income countries diseases including, COVID, EBOLA, leishmania, malaria, TB and VHFs continue to be major causes of human suffering and preventable death. Interventions to control these diseases are well-described and proven to be effective but they are often not widely applied due to lack of resources, political commitment, and/or health systems issues. In the first three weeks, experts in the field present specific aspects of the above disease control programmes, taking account of changing epidemiological and demographic profiles, using the latest recommended interventions to control the diseases in question, and consider effective mechanisms to implement disease control interventions.
In this module, we will provide students with tools to develop a disease control programme that addresses gaps in service delivery at district level. We follow a participatory approach as it is done by a district health management team and together work through the planning cycle: situational analysis and needs assessment, priority setting, problem analysis, option appraisal, implementation plan including logical framework, and monitoring and evaluation. Students will learn how to identify a disease control problem from a real life, self-selected research study and alongside the teaching sessions they will develop their own programme. At the beginning of the second third week of the module students will present the programme outline and receive formative feedback.
The module is taught using a student-centred approach including tutor-led presentations, group work, student-led presentations, and self-study. It is assessed by a 3000-word written disease control programme, written in a format of a report and using clearly defined Terms of Reference.
20 Academic Credits - Assessments during 12-16 May 2025
For an additional fee of £95, you can be entered for full Academic Credits for this course.
100% - 3000 written assignment - Students present a disease control plan based on a set scenario and disease problem.
Please note that assessments may change at the discretion of the Directors of Study. All students will be made aware of new assessment details. The academic credits are offered to provide choice and flexibility to all our students, and students who do not wish to be entered for academic credits will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.