Arba Minch University

College of Medicine and Health

Sciences
Department of Public Health

Master of Public Health (MPH)

October 12, 2014

Arba Minch

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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 3
Background .................................................................................................................... 3
Rationale: ...................................................................................................................... 4
Vision, Mission and Goals of Public Health ......................................................................... 4
Aims of the Public Health Postgraduate Training ................................................................ 5
Program objectives: ........................................................................................................ 5
Philosophy ..................................................................................................................... 5
Graduate Profile: ............................................................................................................ 6
Program requirements..................................................................................................... 6
Admission requirements & application ........................................................................... 6
Fees and Scholarships .................................................................................................. 7
Promotion: .................................................................................................................. 7
Graduation Requirements:............................................................................................ 7
Instructional Methodology: ........................................................................................... 7
Method of Assessment ................................................................................................. 8
Grading system : ......................................................................................................... 8
Degree Nomenclature: ................................................................................................. 8
Course Requirements:.................................................................................................. 9
Annex: .............................................................................................................................37
Academic staff profile of the department of public health: .................................................37
Program Requirments: Material and Human Resource .......................................................38
Department organogram: ...............................................................................................40
Program Adminstration: .................................................................................................40
References .......................................................................................................................41

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Introduction
Background
Arba Minch University (AMU) was established in 1996 E.C at the premises of the former Arba
Minch water technology institute (AWTI), which was established in 1978 E.C.

The university’s main campus is located at 505 km south west of Addis Ababa and 5km north of
Arba Minch town on the road to Addis Ababa. Currently the university encompasses one
institute, six Colleges and one school that conduct education in diversified fields of study which
ranges from undergraduate to masters level in regular, summer, weekend, and distance and
continuing education programs. Arba Minch University is one of the fastest growing Universities
in Ethiopia regarding to the number of colleges, the number of fields of study, academic staffs,
technical, and infrastructural capacities.

Among the colleges, the College of Medicine and Health sciences (formerly faculty of health
sciences) was established in 2000E.C to respond for national demand of human resource deficit
in health sciences. The College, at present, has more than 30 lectures in four departments and
one school: Public Health (Health Officer), Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Midwifery and
Medicine respectively.

The department of public health comprises six unites, namely; Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
Health Service Management & Health Economics, Population and Family Health, Health
Education and Behavioral Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health, and Health Officer.

Under the college of Medicine and Health Sciences, two projects with great relevance to public
Health study are underway. The Demographic and Health Survey of Arba Minch Zuriya woreda
which is one of the six sites in the country funded by CDC through EPHA since 2001 E.C is of
greater importance to this program. The program is basically following demographic dynamics
and AIDS mortality in longitudinal basis. The site has great importance to graduate study
program as a field research center, which can be used by students and instructors. The PCV
project, which started in 2004 E.C, laid a frame work about the entire woreda which might
provide adequate information about the entire woreda and a resource to different community
based studies as necessitated by respective courses.

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Rationale:

Master of public health has been given in few Universities of the country. Progressively, a
number of public institutions were joined to meet the increasing demand of public health
professionals. Though there were graduates from various higher institutions in the country and
abroad, there is high demand of the experts from private, governmental and Non governmental
agencies. In addition, the admission opportunity is extremely limited at those already launched
institutions because the program requires adequate and highly qualified Human power.

Moreover, similar programs at different Institutions do not support the demand of

customers/applicants who do not want to leave their job for years to complete the study. This
program gives a chance to advance their professional capacity without leaving their job and
family for long period of time. On this regard, it is mandatory to avail the opportunity to the
potential utilizes where they live.

The Ethiopia health system needs evidence based planning for which public health professionals
who are capable of carrying out scientific and need based researches for program planning and
developing interventional strategies than ever in the past. The threats of developing nation,
communicable diseases including current pandemic-HIV/AIDS and emerging health and health
related problems, calls capable public health experts for designing sound intervention plans;
appropriate implementation; effectively monitor and evaluate the achievements and use for
further activities.

This program from the very local provides opportunities to surrounding community to persue
their further education, enhance the loacal health system through evidence based studies and
strategy development, influence national policies and guidelines, increase the national work
force and at large improve the health of the community.

Vision, Mission and Goals of Public Health

Vision: The Department of Public Health aspires to become one of leading center of
excellences in East Africa in public health training, research and community service.

Mission: Based on an ecological model of health, the mission of this program is to educate
public health professionals to use up to date analytic and managerial public health tools and
skills to influence people and environmental conditions; manage programs and institutions;
undertake applied research and play leading roles at different levels of Ethiopian Health System,
in ways that advance public health objectives.

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Goals: Our graduates will possess the skills necessary to become highly effective public health
practitioners and leaders. Their specific expertise in the strategic use of technical and
managerial public health tools will enable them to work collaboratively with a broad range of
other public health experts to plan high-impact health enhancement initiatives, and to
implement or supervise the implementation of public health initiatives.

Aims of the Public Health Postgraduate Training

The aims of this program include training of professionals who would manage health services
and programs at the woreda/district, regional and national levels; teach in public health training
programs at various levels from diploma to masters levels; undertake public health research
that inform programs and policy; and formulate policies. At all levels the focus will be to help
students acquire the basic skills in public health that are relevant to the contexts of developing
country settings.

Program objectives:

 To enable the prospective graduates provide higher level services in program

management

 To produce public health professionals used in teaching in public health programs

 Enable graduates understand health and health related public health statistics

 Prepare them to undertake research and be critical reader of public health related
evidence.

 Prepare professionals who are advocates for the policy formulation and changes towards
a better health of the population.

Philosophy

The philosophy of teaching in public health is research based and innovative basically student
centered and community based.

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Graduate Profile:

A prospective graduate of the masters program will have the following core competencies:

o Provide effective technical as well as managerial leadership in large public health

programs;

o Effectively advocating and promoting public health among the general public and
policy makers;

o Design, implement, monitor and evaluate public health interventions;

o Generate as well as critically evaluate health and health-related evidence; and

o Utilize theories and skills in public health research.

o Make evidence based decision in public health issues.

o Identify major public health problems in Ethiopia

Program requirements

Admission requirements & application

Applicants to the post graduate public health training at masters level should have a minimum
of first degree in medical and health sciences or in a related field with experience in health
programs (such as statistics, demography, psychology, and health informatics). In addition
he/she have to fulfill the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies of the
University which include:

 A minimum of 2 year services in relevant field for government sponsored and

none for private applicants.
 Able to pass the entrance examination set by the University
 Who can present evidence of sponsorship (if sponsored)
 Must produce three recommendations from his/her employee & academic
professors
 Fulfill other contemporary requirements set by the University

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Fees and Scholarships

Upon application for a place in the postgraduate program, applicants should append a non-
refundable application fee according to the contemporary payment rate payable to the Arba
Minch University. Those students who are accepted are further required to pay a registration
fee along with tuition fee per semester. Tuition fees for master program are to be decided by
the University every year. The costs for undertaking thesis should be covered by the applicants
themselves or their sponsoring organizations. Organizations/employers which sponsored
students, up on presenting signed agreement, would be communicated immediately after
registration to process fee transfer per semester. Special arrangements can also be done with
governmental, non-governmental and private organizations to set special programs and in
which case fees and scholarship arrangements could differ from what applies under normal
circumstances.

Promotion:

An MPH student who has a minimum CGPA of 3.0 will be promoted to the next academic year.
No more than one C grade is allowed for a student at graduation. Students scoring 2.5-2.99 will
have an academic dismissal with probation where they are required to repeat all courses with C
grades and below in that semester. A student who scores a cumulative GPA below 2.5 in the
first year of study or later will have an academic dismissal. No student can graduate with a
grade of “D” and “F”; they must be cleared before graduation. No student is allowed to
graduate with more than one “C’ grade.

Graduation Requirements:

Students must complete all the required courses and achieve the required CGPA of 3.0 and
complete and defend successfully his/her thesis work to be eligible for graduation. No student
can graduate with an “F” and/or “D” grades in any of the courses.

Instructional Methodology:

The course works are organized in blocks and method of instruction will be in the form of
lectures and seminars that are supported by tutorials, group assignments, project papers, guest
lectures and computer laboratory activities as necessary. Alternatively a student may do
independent study of modules supplemented by short tutorial block sessions and take
examination. This model encourages candidates who cannot leave their work places frequently
and for longer period. The demand on the studies will be the same as the regular block
teachings. The student must get prior approval to the mode of instructional method.

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Method of Assessment

Whereas specific combinations will be decided by the specific course instructors, student
evaluation will be made by written examination, exercises, seminar presentations, and off
campus assignments. A student must attend at least 90% of the scheduled class time for the
course in order to qualify to take the examination for that course. Students wishing to receive
Masters (MPH) Degree in Public Health are required to defend their thesis publicly and
successfully complete their work. The evaluation considers both the written document and the
related discussion during the defense. Student must score B or above grade on the thesis to
successfully complete the training. Others with major revision shall undergo through
another defense session after correction of comments (this should be after 30 days of first
defense) or if the thesis is rejected student may be required do another research work
depending on the recommendation of the Board of examiners.

Grading system:

The grading system will be in consistent with the current grading system of the department of
public health.

A+>= 90 A = 85 – 89.9

B+ = 80 – 84.9 B = 70 – 79.9

C+ =65 – 69.9 C = 60 - 64.9

D+ = 55 – 59.9 D = 50 – 54.9

F < 50

Thesis pass marks (A=excellent B+=very good B=good, C+ = Satisfactory)

Quality Assurance: The Quality of the training will be ensured through:

 Student evaluation through different assessment methods

 Evaluation of instructors by peers and students including evaluation of the course at the
end of course delivery
 External examination after completion of training
 Evaluation and revision of curriculum after three years

Degree Nomenclature:

After successful completion of all the required courses, the students will be awarded Degree of
Masters of Public Health (‘በህብረተሰብ ጤና አጠባበቅ ዘርፍ የማስተርስ ዲግሪ’)

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 Course Requirements:

YEAR COURSE TITLE COURSE CODE

CREDIT HOURS(days)
Semester I
Public Health Matters PubH601 2 (10 days)
Epidemiology PubH612 4 (12 days)
Biostatistics PubH611 4 (12 days)
Health Service management PubH613 4 (12 days)
SEMISTER TOTAL 14
Semester II
Year I Public Health Nutrition PubH621 2 (6 days)
Reproductive Health and population studies PubH626 4 (12 days)
Health Promotion and Communication PubH630 2 (6 days)
Environmental Health PubH635 2 (6 days)
SEMISTER TOTAL 10
Summer Term (semester III)
Research Methods: quantitative and
PubH631 3 (2+1) (9 days)
qualitative
Year II Thesis PubH701 6
Total Credits hours 33
* Pass marks in research work and thesis is rated as A=Excellent, B+=Very good, and B=good.

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Course Syllabus for MPH Program

(PubH601) Epidemiology (4 Credit Hours):

Course Description: This course introduces the definitions, principles and concepts of
epidemiology. It covers the tools commonly used in descriptive and analytic epidemiology.
Designing epidemiological research appropriate for the health problems common in developing
countries and demonstrating the practical application of the research methods and tools in
public health screening programs and surveillance systems are covered in this course.

Learning Objectives: On accomplishment of this course, the student is expected to be able

to:

Understand the definition and the general principles and concepts of epidemiology

Demonstrate the epidemiologic approach of defining and estimating the occurrence of

morbidity, mortality and other health related phenomena in the human population;

Describe the types, strengths and limitations of epidemiological study designs;

Understand the importance of the screening and diagnostic tests and the concepts of validity
and reliability

Be familiar with the interpretation of epidemiologic information

Demonstrate the application of epidemiologic principles to the investigation and management of

epidemics and disease surveillance

Carry out the planning and conducting of epidemiological studies

Course Content
Chapter One: Introduction to epidemiology
1.1. Definition of epidemiology
1.2. History of Epidemiology
1.3. Scope of Epidemiology
1.4. Uses of Epidemiological studies
Chapter Two: Fundamental Assumptions in Epidemiology
Chapter Three: Major Epidemiologic approaches
Chapter Four: Epidemiological Measures
4.1. Morbidity rates (prevalence and incidence)
4.2. Mortality rates (crude, specific and standardized rates)

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Chapter Five: Epidemiologic study designs
5.1. Descriptive and analytic studies
Chapter Six: Measures of Association
6.1. Odds ratio, relative risk, attributable risk, population attributable risk, etc.
Chapter Seven: Evaluation of evidence and judgment of causality
Chapter Eight: Assessment of chance ,bias and confounding, Bradford-Hill Criteria
Chapter Nine: Screening
9.1. Criteria for screening
9.2. Evaluation of screening tests
Chapter Ten: Infectious disease epidemiology
10.1. Transmission, transmission probability
10.2. Approaches to outbreak investigation
10.3. Outbreak characterization and control
Chapter Eleven: Principles of surveillance
11.1. Types, uses and evaluation of surveillance

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Interactive lecture
Exercises, case studies and assignments
Teaching-Learning Materials
AV aids (LCD and computer or Overhead projector and transparencies, writing board and
marker or chalk)
Handouts of lecture materials
Assessment Methods
Formative assessment
Exercises and assignments
Summative assessment
Written exam
References:

 Barker, D.J.P. & Hall, A.J. Practical Epidemiology 1991

 Beaglehole, R. Bonita, R. & Kjellston T. Basic Epidemiology 2000(updated) WHO,
Geneva

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  Last, J.M. A dictionary of epidemiology 3rd edition 1995 Oxford University Press,
Oxford
 Lilienfeld, D.E. Stolly, P.D. Foundation of Epidemiology 3rd edition 1994, Oxford
University Press, Oxford.
 Rebecca G., Knapp M., Clinton Miller III. Clinical epidemiology and Biostatistics
1992.
 Hennekens CH, Buring JE. Epidemiolgy in Medicine, Toronto: Little, Brown and CO.,1987
 Lilienfeld, D.E. Stolly, P.D. Foundation of Epidemiology 3rd edition 1994, Oxford
University Press, Oxford.
 Mausner, J.S., Kramer, S. Epidemiology an introductory text 1985, Philadelphia,
London, Toronto, Mexico city, Rio de Janerio, Sydney, Tokyo.
 Rothman K, Greenland S. Modern Epidemiology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1998
 Teutsch S.M. & Churchill R.E. Principles and practice of public health Surveillance 2nd
edition, oxford University press; 2000.
 Fletcher RH, Fletcher SW, Wagner: Clinical Epidemiology: The Essentials. 3 rd
edition. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore MD, 1996.
 Last, JM, Abramson JH. A Dictionary to epidemiology New York: Oxford University Press,
2000;

(PubH605) Biostatistics (4 Credit Hours)

Course Description: This course covers both descriptive and intermediate level statistics for
public health. The descriptive statistics deals with frequency distribution, measures of central
tendency and variability; probability and probability distributions; sampling and sampling
distributions; statistical estimation; hypothesis testing and sample size determination. It also
covers demographic and health services statistics including admission rate, discharge rate,
average length of stay, bed occupancy rate, and turnover rate. The intermediate advance
course deals with statistical methods that help understand relations between two or more
variables. The techniques to be covered in this course include analysis of categorical data from
epidemiological studies, correlation analysis, regression analysis, analysis of variance and
survival Analysis.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the course students will be able to:

Discuss the role of statistics in health science and explain the main uses of statistical methods
in the broader field of health care;

Describe methods of collection, recording, coding and handling data;

Calculate measures of central tendency and dispersion and present data in the form of tables,
graphs etc;

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Identify and make use of data from existing health records;

Apply different techniques of sampling;

Explain the context and meaning of statistical estimation and statistical significance.

Course Content:

Chapter One: Descriptive Statistics:

1.1. Methods of data Collection;

1.2. Types of Scales of Measurement;

1.3. Frequency distributions (absolute, relative, cumulative);

1.4. Diagrammatic Representations: Bar graph, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Ogive

curve, Pie chart, Box and Whisker plot, Line graph, Scatter diagram;

1.5. Measures of Central tendency: Mean, Median, Mode, Geometric mean, Harmonic
mean, Weighted mean; Quartiles and Percentiles;

1.6. Measures of Variability: Range, Inter-quartile range, Quartile deviation, Coefficient of

quartile deviation, Mean deviation, Variance, Standard deviation, Coefficient of
variation.

Chapter Two: Probability and Probability Distributions:

2.1. Independent events, Mutually exclusive events;

2.2. Classical definition of probability, Conditional probability;

2.3. Probability Distributions (Discrete & Continuous): the Binomial distribution, the

2.4. Normal distribution, the Poison distribution.

Chapter Three: Sampling and Sampling Distributions:

3.1. Sampling theory in public health;

3.2. Random numbers and their uses;

3.3. Types of sampling (probability (simple random, systematic, stratified random,

cluster, multi-stage sampling) and non probability sampling); Sampling distribution of the mean.

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Chapter Four: Statistical Estimation:

4.1. Biased and Unbiased estimates;

4.2. Point and interval estimates;

4.3. C.I. for a single population mean,

4.4. C.I. for the difference between two Independent population means;

4.5. Paired Samples C.I. for the difference between two population means,

4.6. C.I. for a single population proportion,

4.7. C.I. for the difference between two population proportions.

Chapter Five: Hypothesis Testing: Hypothesis (Null & Alternative);

5.1. Steps involved in testing a hypothesis;

5.2. Type I and Type II errors;
5.3. Critical region;
5.4. One- tailed vs. Two-tailed tests;
5.5. Test of hypothesis about a single population mean,
5.6. Test of hypothesis about the difference between two independent population means;
5.7. Test of hypothesis about paired difference of two population means,
5.8. Test of hypothesis about a single population proportion,
5.9. Test of hypothesis about the difference between two population proportions.

Chapter Six: Sample Size Determination

Teaching-Learning Methods
Interactive lecture
Exercises and assignments
Computer lab practices (Statistical soft wares such as Epi Info and SPSS)
Practice, coaching and feedback: developing research proposal, conducting research, data
analysis, report writing and oral presentation
Portfolio
PRRE

Teaching-Learning Materials
AV aids (LCD and computer or Overhead projector and transparencies, writing board and
marker or chalk)
Handouts of lecture materials
Logbooks for entry of community experience

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Assessment Methods
Formative assessment
Exercises and assignments
Logbook and portfolio
Summative assessment
Final Examination

References:

 Aschengrau Ann and Seage GR. Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health. 2nd Edition.
2007.

 Berhane Y. Lecture Notes: Principles of Epidemiology. Addis Continental Institute of

Public Health. December 2007

 Susan Carr, Nigel Unwin and Tanja Pless-Mulloli. Introduction to Public Health and
Epidemiology. Second Edition. Open University Press. 2007

 R Bonita, R Beaglehole, T Kjellstrom. Basic Epidemiology. 2nd Edition. World Health

Organization. 2006

 N. Noah. Controlling Communicable Disease. Open University Press. 2006

 R. Bhopal. Concepts of Epidemiology: An integrated introduction to the ideas, theories,

principles and methods of epidemiology. Oxford University Press. 2002.

 NM Mikanatha, R Lynfield, CA Van Beneden. Infectious Disease Surveillance. Fisrt

Edition. Blackwell Publishing. 2007.

 L Bailey, K Vardulaki, J Langham and D Chandramohan. Introduction to Epidemiology.

Open University Press. 2005

 KJ Rothman, S Greenland, TL Lash. Modern Epidemiology. 3rd Edition. 2008

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(PubH611) Health Service management and Health Economics (4 Credit Hours)

Course Description: This course covers important issues in health services management
including principles of management; the management process; management styles; planning,
implementing and evaluating health Services and programs; strategic management; decision
making; human resources management; managing organizational change, leadership,
motivation, performance appraisal; and health management information system.

Learning Objectives: This is to enable course participants:

To gain an understanding of the development and current status of management theory,

particularly as it relates to health;

To recognize a variety of leadership and management styles and to classify one’s own style of
leadership and management;

To understand the importance of and be able to critically appraise an organization’s mission and
goals;

To be able to conduct a strategic analysis and elaborate a health plan, including its objectives,
strategic and operational plans, and a plan for strategic control of progress;

To understand key models and be able to use basic tools for management decision making;

To understand the concept of social responsibility and social responsiveness and to develop an
sense of professional ethics in management;

To understand the key elements of organizational structure in order to select or modify

organizational design to make it effective and appropriate to function;

To be able to conduct an environmental analysis and prepare a plan for managing the
organizational environment;

To develop an understanding of organizational processes subsystems including coordination,

authority, delegation, decentralization, organizational change, innovation, and organizational
development;

To be able to manage human resources, including through development of skills in human

resource planning, recruitment and selection, human resource development, supervision and
performance, appraisal, and other aspects of personnel management;

Be familiar to the contribution that economics makes to the study of health and population
policy;

Be able to formulate simple economic models to be applied to public health; and

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Be able to understand economic analysis of public health programs.

Course Content:

Section I: Health Service Management:

Chapter One: Organizations and the need for management; The management
process; Types of managers and managerial roles;

Chapter Two: Management Theory; Classical Management Theory; The Behavioral

School; The Quantitative School[ Planning Health Services and Programs;

Chapter Three: Planning and Strategic Management; Overview of Planning; Formal

Planning processes; Strategy Implementation; Structure and strategy; Operationalization
strategy; Strategies for Health Services;

Chapter Four: Decision Making; Models of Decision; Improving Decision Making;

Chapter Five: Organization for Health Management; Organizational Structure; Types

of organizational structure; Coordination; Organizational Design; Direct action
environment; Indirect action environment; Managing total action environment;

Chapter Six: Authority Delegation and decentralization; Authority power and influence;
Delegation and job design; Decentralization;

Chapter Seven: Human Resource Management; Human resource planning;

Recruitment and selection; Training and development; Supervision and performance
appraisal; Promotion transfers and separation; The new human resource development
strategy of Ethiopia;

Chapter Eight: Managing Organizational Change; Planning change; Organizational

development; Managing creativity and innovation;

Chapter Nine: Leadership in Health Management; Motivation and Performances;

Theories of Motivation; Improving Performances and job satisfaction; Groups and
Committees;

Chapter Ten: Operationalizing Management; Operation’s Management; Selecting

/designing delivery systems; Operation planning and control;

Chapter Eleven: Logistic Supply and Management; Quality Control; Total Quality
Management (TQM); Quality Assurance (QA) and improvement; Management
Information System; MIS design; MIS Implementation.

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 Section II: Introductions to health economics

Chapter Twelve: Introduction to basic economics, the role of economics in public

health, Models of demand for health care, Utilization and Issue of Coverage, Issues of
equity in the provision of health care,

Chapter Thirteen: Methods of economic evaluation of health care programs, Health

services cost analysis,

Chapter fourteen: Current Issues in Health Care Financing and related topics.

Teaching methodology: interactive Lectures (+ use of visual aids) and interactive class
discussion); Group Work & Discussion; Exercises, Assignments and presentations in class;

Assessment Methods
Formative assessment
Exercises and assignments
Project works
Summative assessment
Final Examination

References:

 Leadership in Healthcare: Values at the Top (Management Series (Ann Arbor, Mich.) by
Carson F. Dye (Author)
 Information Systems for Healthcare Management, Sixth Edition by Charles J. Austin
(Author), Stuart B. Boxerman (Author)
 Human Resources in Healthcare: Managing for Success, Second Edition by Bruce Fried
(Editor), Myron D. Fottler (Editor), James A. Johnson (Editor)

 Introduction to Health Services Management by S. W. Booyens, H S Meij - Medical - Juta

Academic (2004) - Paperback - 415 pages
 Health Care Service Management by Marie Eloïse Muller, Marie Muller, Karien Jooste,
Marthie Bezuidenhout - Medical - Juta Academic (2006) - Paperback - 562 pages
 Essentials of Human Resource Management by Myron D. Fottler, S. Robert Hernandez,
Charles L. Joiner - Business & Economics - Delmar Publishers (1997) - Hardback - 338 pages
 Strategic Management of the Health Care Supply Chain by Larry R. Smeltzer, Eugene
Stewart Schneller - Medical - Jossey-Bass (2006) - Hardback - 305 pages
 Health Care Financial Management for Nurse Managers by Janne Dunham-Taylor, Joseph Z.
Pinczuk - Medical - Jones and Bartlett Publishers (2006) - Paperback - 896 pages

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 Management of Hospitals and Health Services by Rockwell Schulz, Alton C. Johnson -
Medical - Beard Books (2003) - Paperback - 330 pages
 How to Build a Thriving Fee-for-service Practice by Laurie Kolt - Medical - Academic (1999) -
Paperback - 258 pages
 Monitoring, evaluating, planning health services by EURO Working Group "Operational
Research Applied to Health Services." Meeting, V. Deangelis, N. Ricciardi, G. Storchi - Health
& Fitness - World Scientific (1999) - Hardback - 271 pages
 Management Principles for Health Professionals by Joan Gratto Liebler, Charles R. McConnell
- Medical - Jones and Bartlett (2007) - Paperback - 552 pages
 Epidemiology in Health Services Management by G. E. Alan Dever, Francois Champagne -
Medical - Aspen Systems Corp. (1984) - Hardback - 399 pages
 Innovations in health service delivery by Alexander S. Preker, April Harding - Medical -
World Bank (2003) - Paperback - 618 pages
 Collaborative Management in Health Care by Martin P. Charns, Laura J. Smith Tewksbury -
Health & Fitness - Jossey-Bass (1992) - Hardback - 321 pages
 Becoming an Effective Health Care Manager by Len Sperry - Medical - Health Professions
Press (2003) - Paperback - 289 pages
 Management of organizational behavior: Utilizing human resources, 7th edition, by Hersey
p., Blanchard K.H. and Johnson D.E. Prentice Hall (1996).
 Managing Health Service Organization and Systems, 4th edition (2003), By Beaufort B.
Longest, Jr., Jonathon S. Rackish, Kurt Darr, Hamilton Printing Company, Rensselaer, New
York.
 An Introduction to Planning in Developing Countries, 2nd edition, (1999), By Andrew Green,
Oxford P. Press, London.
 Health Economics Research in Developing Countries. by Mills, A., and K. Lee, Editors.
Oxford, England; New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1993.
 Reforming Markets in Health Care: An Economic Perspective (State of Health Series). By
Smith, P.C., Editor. Buckingham, England; Philadelphia, PA: Open University Press, 2000.
 Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes (Third Edition)
Contributors: Michael F. Drummond, Mark J. Sculpher, George W. Torrance, Bernie J.
O’Brien, and Greg L. Stoddart

19
(PubH615) Public Health Matters (2 Credit Hours)

Course Description: This course will introduce students to the discipline of public health with
an overview of the basic concepts and core functions of public health practice, the scope of
applications, and the variety of service organizations (both public and private) that shape public
health. It also examines the philosophy, purpose, history, functions, evidence based public
health, different approaches in public health, tools, activities and results of public health
practice at the international, national, state, and community levels. The course also deals with
the common public health problems of developing countries and current global health issues.

Learning Objectives: the principal objectives of the course include enabling participants:

Review the historical development and the various components of the discipline of public
health;

Appreciate the unique characteristics of public health practice as a social enterprise;

Conceptualize public policy implications of various approaches to public health issues and
problems;

Understand and apply the techniques assessing public health status of a community or
population group, including the determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health
promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of health services:

Identify available resources and major ethical, legal and enforcement constraints of important
public health issues and problems

Get familiarized with important and contemporarily emerging public health problems and issues
and approaches and constraints to addressing those problems and issues;

An important over-arching objective is, however, to encourage the course participants to think
independently and critically about the issues discussed in the class, rather than assuming the
role of passive recipients of factual information.

20
Course contents

Chapter One: Introduction to public health

1.1 Definition of health, community, community health, public health, global health History
of public health
1.2 Function of public health
1.3 Important features of public health
1.4 Evidence based public health

Chapter Two: Approaches in public health

2.1 vertical vs. integrated/horizontal programs
2.2 Control, elimination, and eradication
2.3 Determinants of health
2.4 Health Transitions (Demographic, Epidemiologic, Nutrition ….)
2.5 Public health ethics
2.6 Emerging health issues
2.7 Climate change and health
2.8 War and conflict
2.9 Globalization
2.10 Emerging and remerging infectious diseases
2.11 Global cooperation in health
2.12 Global cooperation in international health
2.13 Global actors in Health

Chapter Three: Prevention and control of public health importance diseases in

Ethiopia (tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, EPI target diseases and others)
3.1 Introduction to the history, philosophy and core functions of public health;
3.2 Models of diseases causation;
3.3 The global context of public health;
3.4 Ethical issues and other challenges to public health;
3.5 Community needs assessment and organizing public health programs;
3.6 Developing school health program; Public health nutrition; and
3.7 Contemporary issues and emerging public health problems.

Teaching Methods : lecture/seminar, group projects

Assessment Methods:
Formative assessment: presentations of progress reports; Project presentations; Group
reports; Class participation;
Summative assessment: Final Examination

21
References:

 Ibsen, Henrik (1964). A Public Enemy in Ghosts and Other Plays, trans. Peter Watts,
London: Penguin Books.

 Porter, Dorothy (1999). Health, Civilization, and the State: A History of Public Health
from Ancient to Modern Times.
 You may purchase any of these materials from Matthews Medical Book Center.
 Fee, Elizabeth (1987). Disease and Discovery, The Johns Hopkins University Press.
 Porter, Dorothy (ed.), (1994). The History of Public Health and the Modern State.
 Rosen, George (1958, 1993). A History of Public Health, Expanded Edition, Baltimore:
The Johns Hopkins University Press.
 These readings are also available at the Matthews Johns Hopkins Medical Book Center.
Because they are not required, the number of copies available will be limited.
 Brockington, C. Fraser (1956). A Short History of Public Health, London: J. & A.
Churchill.
 Cartwright, Frederick F. (1977). A Social History of Medicine.
 Duffy, John (1990). The Sanitarians.
 Feierman, Steven and Janzen, John M. (eds.) (1992). The Social Bases of Health and
Healing in Africa, Berkeley: Univ. California Press.
 Leslie, Charles (ed.) (1976). Asian Medical Systems, Berkeley: Univ. California Press.
 Leslie, Charles and Young, Allan (eds.) (1992). Paths to Asian Medical
Knowledge, Berkeley: Univ. California Press.
 Porter, Roy (1997). The Greatest Benefit to Mankind.

22
(PubH621) Public Health Nutrition (2 Cr.hr)

Course Description: This is a course to public health nutrition relevant to developing

countries. It addresses issues such as common nutritional disorders, assessment of nutritional
status, the role of health sector in food and nutrition, food and nutrition policy, and nutritional
surveillance.

Learning Objectives: The overall objective of the Applied Human Nutrition course is to enable
graduate students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude towards identifying
nutritional and related health problems of communities, and to coordinate the design and
implementation of appropriate intervention measures.

Specifically, the course is intended to enable students to:

Understand and describe the complex, overlapping and multi-factorial ecology and aetiology of
nutritional disorders in a community,

Assess the prevailing nutritional status of communities, and design appropriate corrective
measures,

Identify and characterize nutritional problems of public health importance and the
corresponding intervention strategies,

Design and conduct nutritional surveys and surveillance, describe the role of the health,
agricultural and other sectors and the corresponding health, nutritional and other policies in
preventing nutritional problems of a community at large.

Course Content:

Chapter One: Introduction to Human Nutrition;

Chapter Two: Ecology of Nutritional Disorders;

2.1 Etiology of Nutritional Disorders;

Chapter Three: Assessment of Nutritional Status; The Present Food and Nutrition Situation;

Chapter Four: The Role of the Health Sector in Food and Nutrition;

Chapter Five: Food and Nutrition Policy

Chapter Six: Nutritional requirements

Chapter Seven: Nutritional Surveillance; Nutritional Disorders of Public Health Importance;

Nutrition and

Chapter Eight: Infection Interaction; Nutrition Intervention Programs; Nutrition and Economic
Development;

23
Chapter Nine: Introduction to Nutritional Epidemiology

Teaching Methodology: Class-room lectures, term paper presentation and submission, as well
as, field works/ visits will constitute the course.

Method of Assessment: Student evaluation will be based on the following components: Final
examination, Term paper; and Assignments.

References:

 Marian Maltese E Schulman, Introductory Nutrition and Nutrition therapy 3rd Edit.1996
 Richard D. Samba MD MPH, Martin. Nutrition and Health in Developing countries
 Robert E.C. Advanced Human Nutrition, 2000 CRC Press LLC NewYork
 Rosalind S. Gibson. Principles of Nutritional Assessment 1990 Oxford University Press
 Norman G. Maniriotte , Principles of food Sanitation 4th Edition 1999
 Maurice E. Shils Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease ( Vol. 1 and 2 ) 8th Edition
,1994
 Adrianne Bendich, Richard J Deckelbaun . Preventive nutrition, a comprehensive guide
for health professionals, 2nd Edit.
 Lindsay H. Allen and Stuart R. Gillespie (ACC/SCN), What Works? A Review of the
Efficacy and Effectiveness of Nutrition Interventions The Asian Development Bank
Nutrition and Development Series ,September 2001
 Michael C. Latham , Human nutrition in the developing world, Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) ,ISSN 1014-3181 Rome, 1997
 Christopher P. Howson, Eileen T. Kennedy, and Abraham Horwitz, Prevention of
Micronutrient Deficiencies: Tools for Policymakers and Public Health Workers
 MOH. Guideline for the management of severe acute malnutrition for Ethiopia. MOH,
2004
 MOH. Infant and young child feeding strategy for Ethiopia, MOH, 2004.
 MOH, Guideline for control and prevention of macronutrient deficiency in Ethiopia. MOH,
2004.
 AED/FANTA. Nutrition in Ethiopia: The way forward, Profiles analysis 2006.
 CONCER/UNICEF. Longer term strategy for therapeutic care in Ethiopia, January 2007-
December 2009 Valid International. Community-based Therapeutic Care (OTP), A Field
Manual, First Edition, 2006
 CSA & ORC Macro (Central Statistical Authority (Ethiopia) and OCR Macro), 2006,
Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2005. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Calverton,
Maryland, U.S.A: Central Statistical Authority and OCR Macro.
 Guerrero S. Community mobilization in the ministry of health therapeutic care program
supported by CONCERN Worldwide & Valid International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Trip
report, July 2006.
 Prayer J. Lecture note on Nutritional Epidemiology, 1996-97, London school of hygiene
and tropical medicine.
 Garrow J.S. , JAMES W.P.T. Human Nutrition and dietetics, ninth ed. Pearson
professional LTD, Aberdeen, 1996
 Dudek S.G. Nutrition Handbook for Nursing Practice, third ed., Lippincott, Newyork,
1997.
 ACC/SCN, The 4th report on the world nutrition situation, Nutrition Throughout the life
cycle, January 2000

24
  ACC/SCN, 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved
Development Outcomes ,March 2004
 FANTA , Strategies , policies , and Programs to improve the Nutrition of Women and
Girls , January 2000
 WHO, Nutrition for health and development , a global agenda for combating malnutrition
, 2000
 UN, Ending malnutrition by the year 2020 An agenda for change in the Millennium
Executive summary ,2000
 WHO, Complementary Feeding of Young Children in developing countries, extensive
review , Geneva , Switzerland ,1998

(PubH626) Reproductive Health and Population Studies (4 Cr. hr.)

Course Description: This course introduces concepts and practices of reproductive health. It
provides an overview of definitions, theories, determinants and measurement of health and
disease in women, children and adolescents. The initiatives to improve reproductive and sexual
health, the survival of mothers, newborns and children will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course the students are expected to:

Describe Reproductive Health

Understand the objectives, approaches and components reproductive health care

Be familiar with the definitions and relationships between gender and reproductive
health

Be able to compute the magnitude and measurement of maternal mortality

Discuss the causes of maternal health problems

Understand Intervention for Safe motherhood

Master Organization of Reproductive Health services

Describe the basic concepts and theories in demography

Describe the main types of demographic measures

Calculate measures of fertility, mortality and migration

Compare fertility, mortality and migration across and between populations

25
 Demonstrate the impact of vital rates on population size and structure

Course Content:

Chapter One: Historical Development and Definition of Reproductive Health

Chapter Two: Approaches and components of Reproductive Health

Chapter Three: Gender and Reproductive Health

Chapter Four: Safe Motherhood

Chapter Five: Measuring reproductive health

Chapter Six: Organization of reproductive health services

Chapter Seven: Review of the main types of population measures: rate, probability, ratio

7.1 The Lexis diagram

Chapter Eight: The main measures of mortality (crude rate, age specific mortality rates,
standardization, life tables)

Chapter Nine: Fertility and reproduction measures( General fertility, age specific fertility,
Gross and Net reproduction

Chapter Ten: Migration and urbanization

Chapter Eleven: Population, health and development

Chapter Twelve: Population policies and programs

Chapter Thirteen: Demographic transition theory

Teaching methods: The course will include lectures, discussions, presentations by students
and guest lecturers, case presentations and film show.

Method of Assessment:

Formative assessment: exercises, Group work and presentations and

Summative assessment: final examination

26
References:

 UN, Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and

Development, (ICPD), Cairo, September 1994.
 WHO, Advancing Safe Motherhood: a brief history of the global movement WHO,
Geneva, 2001.
 WHO, UNICEF, Antenatal care in developing countries: promises, achievements and missed
opportunities: an analysis of trends, levels and differentials, 1990-2001.
 WHO, antenatal care randomized trial: manual for the implementation of the new
model.WHO/RHR/01.30. WHO, Geneva, 2001.
 Koblinsky M., Conroy C., Kureshy N., Stanton ME., Jessop Suzanne. Issues in
Programming for Safe Motherhood. MotherCare Arlington, VA.: John Snow Inc.
September 2000
 The World Health Organization(WHO). Mother-Baby Package: Implementing safe
motherhood in countries. Geneva, WHO, WHO/FHE/MSM/94.11, 1994.
 WHO, Beyond the Numbers, Reviewing maternal deaths and complications to make
pregnancy safer, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2004
 WHO, Estimates of skilled attendants at birth, WHO, 2005, available at:
www.who.int/reproductive-health
 WHO, making pregnancy safer, the critical roles of skilled attendants, a joint statement by
WHO, ICM, & FIGO, WHO, Geneva, 2004.
 Fantahun M. Lecture Notes in RH/MCH for MPH students (Draft), AAU, 2001
 MOH, Ethiopia. RH/MCH Modules 1-7, FHD, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 Belachew T., Jira C.,Asres T. & et.al. Manual on Reproductive health, 2003.

27
(PubH630) Health Promotion and Communication (2 Cr.hr)

Course Description: This course deals with concepts and theories of social science and
related fields that are relevant to health promotion in human population. Issues related to
group and community health promotion practices will be covered. It also addresses ehavior
change models and health communication strategies.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the course the student will be able to:

Describe the interrelationship between behavioral sciences and community medicine;

Define major terms and concepts related to behavioral sciences;

Describe the main determinants of health behavior;

Explain what group dynamics is and how it can be applied in practical setting;

Describe and explain the concepts of community organization;

Describe and explain the theories of communication, communication process; factors

influencing effective communication process;

Explain the various methods employed in health education;

Describe and use the various behavior-change models and to determine how these models
can be used in the management of health education programs;

Explore the process of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in health

education and will be able to translate the theoretical skills into practice;

Describe and perform the process of planning, implementation and evaluation of health
personnel training programs;

List the reasons why people do resist changing their behaviours;

Describe the concept of social marketing in health; and

Describe and practice the various research methods in behavioural sciences

28
Course Content: -

Chapter One: Concepts of Behavioural Sciences as applied in Health Education

1.1. Interrelationship between behavioural sciences and community medicine

1.2. Definitions of major concepts

1.3. Determinants of Health Behaviour

1.4. Group Dynamics; and Concept of Community Organization

Chapter Two: Principles and Practice of Health Education

2.1. Introduction : Definition of Health Education & its elaboration

2.2. Aims & Principles of Health Education

2.3. Communication; Education and Educational Methods

2.4. Health Behaviour Models

2.5. Planning Behaviour Change; Evaluation of Behavior Change

2.6. Resistance to Change in Health Behavior

2.7. Social Marketing in health

Chapter Three: Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences – Qualitative Studies.

Teaching Methodology: Lectures and interactive class discussion; Group Work & Discussion; Exercises,
and Assignments and presentations in class.

Evaluation: Mid-course test; Progressive assessment; Class participation; Presentation of assignments;

Final examination.

References:

 Lawrence W. Green Marshall W. Kreuter. Health Promotion Planning: An Educational and

Ecological Approach: Third ed 1999
 Bonni C.Hodges. Assessment and Planning in health programs, Jones and Bartlett
Publishers, London. 2005

29
 HEALTH EDUCATION I - MPH I, SEM. 2, 2003 LECTURE NOTES By: Shabbier Ismail MD,
MPH Associate Professor
 Essential of public health communication Claudia Parvanta. David E nelson etal
 WHO, 1988. Education for Health, A Manual on Health Education in Primary Health Care,
 R. K., Molvaer, 1989. Education for Better Health, A Manual for Senior Health Educators,
UNICEF/WHO.
 Habley, John, 1993. Communicating Health: An Action Guide to Health Education and
Health Promotion, Hong Kong: Macmillan.
 Bedworth, Albert E. and Bed worth, David A. (Recent Ed.). The profession and practice
of Health Education. WCB publishers.
 Robinson, L. and Alles, W.F., (Recent ed.). Health Education: Foundation for the Future
Times, Toronto: Mosby College Publishing.
 Rahel, Spector, 1985. Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness.
 Gibson, James W.1992. Introduction to Health Communication,WMC Brown Publishers.
 Dale B. Hahn. Wayne A. Payne. Focus on Health Fourth Edition, WCB.McGraw - Hill.
Publisher: Edward E. Bartell
 Jannie Naidoo and Jane Wills, 1994. HEALTH PROMOTION, foundation for practice.
Second printing 1995, Bailliere Tindal, W.B. saunders
 Lawrence W. Green Marshall W. Kreuter. Health Promotion Planning: An Educational
and Ecological Approach: Third ed. 1999.
 Gwen V. Seruellen1996. Communication skills for the Health Care Professions: Concepts
and Techniques
 Karen G., Barbara K. & Frances M. Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory,
Research and Practice. 3rd edition 2002
 Worl Health Organization. A guide to developing Knowledge, Attitude and Practice
Surveys. Advocacy, communicationa and social mobilization for TB control.WHO
Swizerland 2008.
 Family Health International. Behavioral Survey Surveillence. Guidelines for repeated
behavioral surveys in populations at risk of HIV. Family Health International 2000.

30
(PubH635) Environmental Health (2 Cr.hr)

Course Description: This course introduces students with a variety of issues in environmental
health. The course provided conceptual understanding of issues related to vector control,
provision of safe water supply, waste management, food hygiene, occupational health,
industrial noise and its control, global environmental problems related to health, air pollution,
water pollution, water development and health, population, environment & development,
housing and health, and environmental safety.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the course, students should have gained the knowledge
and skills needed to:

Recognize the general environmental factors (physical, chemical, biological, etc.) which
affect the comfort, health, and disease status of an individual, a family, or a community
at large;

Recognize the basic environmental health problems in existence in Today’s World, with
particular reference to the Ethiopian situation;

Identify the causes and potential health effects associated with various environmental
problems;

Identify possible intervention approaches to protect, promote, and maintain

environmental conditions which are favorable to human health and well being;

Recognize and understand the issues and difficulties faced when conducting
environmental health research;

Plan, implement, and evaluate major environmental health programs in the actual
working place.

Course contents: The course includes both fundamentals of environmental health and
advanced topics on environmental pollution:

Chapter One: Introduction and definitions: course introduction, basic environmental health
term definitions;

Chapter Two: Vector control: vector definition, public health importance, factors affecting
vector borne diseases, public health important vectors distribution in Ethiopia, vector control
principles, challenges of vector control;

Chapter Three: Provision of safe water supply: Importance of water, definitions, country
status, occurrence of water, water related diseases description, objectives of water supply,

31
characteristics of safe water supply, surface water and its protection, ground water and its
protection, rain water and its protection, small scale water supply system, municipal water
supply system, water quality control and surveillance, drinking water standards;

Chapter Four: Human waste management:

4.1. definitions, global and country status, objectives, health importance, excreta related
diseases transmission mechanisms, choice of excreta disposal system, small scale human waste
management systems, description of the commonly used dry pit and VIP latrines, sewage
management system description, final disposal methods, standard requirements for final
disposal, quality control for final disposal;

4.2. Waste management: Municipal and rural solid waste management: definitions, types and
characteristics of solid waste, classification, health importance, storage, collection,
transportation, final disposal, solid waste management hazards and their problems;

4.3. Medical waste management: definitions, types, health importance, storage, collection,
disposal systems, health hazards;

4.4. Hazardous waste management: definitions, classification, health importance, examples of

episodes, control methods, waste management hierarchy, treatment options, disposal methods,
selected hazardous waste material list;

Chapter Five: Food hygiene: definitions, health importance, protection of food from
adulteration and spoilage, food borne diseases and their transmission mechanisms and control
methods, milk hygiene and its public health importance, meat hygiene and its public health
importance, mass catering sanitation and its public health importance;

Chapter Six:

6.1. Occupational health: Principles of industrial hygiene: definition, basic elements of

occupational hygiene related to recognition, evaluation and control; working environmental
hazards descriptions, exposure limit criteria, controlling the industrial environment, role of the
professional;

6.2. Industrial Noise and its control: term definition, classification, physiology of hearing, noise
measurement methods, sound pressure levels of commonly observed noise, adverse health
effects, noise control, noise evaluation and standards;

Chapter Seven: Global environmental health problems: territorial based concerns, global
warming: definition, causes, pollutants, health effects; ozone depletion: definition, causes,
pollutants, health effects; loss of biodiversity: definition, levels of biodiversity, health effects;
deforestation and its health effects;

32
Chapter Eight: Air pollution:

8.1 Ambient air pollution and its impact on health: function of air, air composition, definitions,
air pollutants classification, sources of air pollution, effects of air pollution, air pollution control
strategies; air quality standard;

8.2. Indoor air pollution and its impact on health: problem status, health importance,
classification of indoor air pollutants, hierarchy of fuel efficiency, prevention and control of
indoor air pollution, indoor air quality standards;

Chapter Nine: Water pollution: definitions, pollutant types, sources and mechanisms of water
pollution, health effects, productivity of aquatic system, underground water pollution, surface
water quality standards;

Chapter Ten: Water development and health: country status, water development components,
possible intervention in water development, irrigation development and related vectors and
diseases; water development impact control approaches; evaluation approaches;

Chapter Eleven: Population, environment & development: definitions, development links to

the environment, urbanization links to the environment, poverty links to the environment,
challenges for developed and developing nations;

Chapter Twelve: Housing and health: global and country status, health importance,
definitions, basic housing principles, categories/classification of housing, housing standards,
housing improvement programs, housing management;

Chapter Thirteen: Radiational health and safety: definition, sources of radiation, radiation
exposure levels by source, biological effects, radiation monitoring and evaluation, radiation
prevention and control, role of regulatory bodies in radiation control, radioactive waste material
management;

Teaching and learning methods: Class room lectures with teaching aids; Relevant field visits
focused on waste management, water supply, food hygiene, and occupational hygiene; Term
paper presentation; Homework assignments;

Method of Assessment:

Formative assessment: assignments; Class room presentation; Attendance, and

Summative assessment: final examination.

33
References:

 Blumenthal, D. S., and Ruttenber, A. J. (1995). Introduction to environmental

health. Second Edition. New York: Springer.
 Lippmann, M. (Ed.). (1992). Environmental toxicants: Human exposures and their health
effects. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
 Moeller, D. W. (1997). Environmental health (Revised ed.). Cambridge: Harvard
University Press.
 Moore, G. S. (1999). Living with the earth: Concepts in environmental health
science. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.
 Nadakavukaren, A. (2000). Our global environment: A health perspective (5th ed.)
Prospect Heights: Waveland Press, Inc.
 Philp, R. B. (1995). Environmental hazards and human health. Boca Raton: Lewis
Publishers.
 Yassi, A., Kjellstrom, T., de Kok, T., Guidotti, T. L. (2001). Basic environmental
health. New York: Oxford University Press.
 Christopher wood: Environmental impact assessment. Comparative review , England:
long man , 1995.
 Oser BL: Toxicology then and now. Regul toxicolpharmacol, 1987.
 Gallo M: History and scope of toxicology, 5th edition: New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996,
Harvard University Press.

34
(PubH654) Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative (3 Cr.hr)

Course Description: This course introduces the basic concepts and the process of
undertaking research from inception to write up. Students are expected to come to this course
with well written inception note in the research area they intend to undertake as part of the
requirement for MPH in order to benefit fully from the course. The course provides skills in
doing literature review, choosing methodology appropriate to the research questions, planning
field work for research, and familiarizes students with ethical issues and guidelines relevant to
health research. Students are expected to have an approved research proposal by the end of
the course.

Qualitative: The basic course in qualitative method covers the premises of qualitative
methods, principles of qualitative data collection methods and tools, first level analysis of
qualitative data and utilization of qualitative methods. This course also provides a deeper
understanding of qualitative methods and focus on more advanced qualitative data analysis
techniques and the use of computer in qualitative data analysis.

Course content:

Chapter One: Principles and characteristics of qualitative research.

Chapter Two: Application of qualitative research in public health.
Chapter Three: Qualitative research approaches: designing and collecting relevant data.
Chapter Four: Approaches to qualitative data analysis
Chapter Five: Assessing the quality of qualitative research.

Teaching Learning Method: Lectures, case studies and in-class practical exercises are
methods of instruction. Students are expected to study independently course materials and do
exercises in their assigned group.

Method of Assessment:
Formative assessment (individual and group assignments)
Summative assessment: final examination and written research proposal.

References:

 Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry. Allyn and Bacon; Boston:-p.cm.

 Handbook of Research Methods in Health. Ann Bowling and Shah Ebrahim (2005)
 Health Research Methodology: A guide for Training in Research Methods (Western Pacific
Regional Publication). Word Health Organization
 Health Services Research Methods: A Guide to Best Practice. John Brazeir, Ray Fitzpatrick,
Bamby, and Deborah Ashby (1998)

35
 Research in Health Care Setting (Applied Social Research Methods). Kathlee E. Grady and
Barbara Studler Wallston (Paperback- Dec 19, 1998)
 Designing and Conducting: Health Systems Research Projects. Corlien M. Varkevisser Indra
Pathmanathan, Ann Brownlee. KIT Publishers, Amsterdam, International Development
Research Centre in association with WHO Regional Office for Africa

(PubH655) Master’s Thesis (Equivalent to 6 Cr. Hr.

Course Description: The thesis work is a supervised research undertaking on relevant health
and health related issues. It can be based on research project that collects fresh data or
accumulated over time, a case study, or literature review depending on the student’s interest
and availability of resources. The course provides the student with the opportunity to
demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the coursework. Successful
completion of all the coursework is a prerequisite to undertake the thesis work.

Course Content:

Chapter one Collection data for thesis research; Field research activities; Desk study for
review research; Data entry and clean up

Chapter Two: Analysis of thesis research data; write up of thesis research and residency
report.

Method of Assessment: progressive assessment and written thesis defended in the presence
of internal and external examiners.

References: all references for other courses and Journals relevant to research title

36
 Annex:

Academic staff profile of the department of public health:

AMU- Department of Public Health and Partner Departments Staff Academic Rank

Sr. Specialty Available staff Total Remark

no. Within dept. Out of Dept. Staff
1 General Public Health 3 1 4 1 on study, 1 PhD
fellow
2 Reproductive Health 1 2 3 1 on study
3 Epidemiology 1 1 1 on study
4 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 5 2 1 on study
5 Health Promotion 1 1
6 Health Service Management 1 1
7 Monitoring and Evaluation 1 1
8 Applied Nutrition 1 1
9 Biostatistics/ Statisticians 0 5 5
10 Global Health 1 1
11 Community Health 1 1
12 Tropical Infectious disease 1 1
Total 14 8 22 5

AMU- Department of Public Health and Partner Departments Staff Academic Rank

Sr.no. Academic Rank Within Dept. Out of Dept. Total

1 Lecturer 14 8 22
2 Assistant Professor
3 Associate Professor
4 Professor (honorary Guest) 1 1
Total 15 8 23

37
Material and Human Resource Requirements:

Items Quantity Remark

Teaching Materials
1 LCD projector 04
2 Overhead projector 04
3 Laptop computers 05
4 Desk top computers 35
5 White screen (LCD Screen) 02
6 White board 02
7 Green Board 02
8 Graduate reference materials (books) 250

Physical setup
1 Graduate Library 01 Rooms
2 Documentation and Periodicals room 01 Rooms
3 Smart Lecture rooms 02 Rooms
4 Resource Center (Internet and Computer center) 01 Rooms
5 MPH Coordinating Office 05 Rooms
Stationary Materials
1 Paper for print 50 Pack
2 Duplicating Paper 100 Pack
3 Flip Charts 20
4 Pen ( blue/black/red) 05
5 Markers (Permanent) 50 Pack
6 White board markets (non-permanent) 25 Pack
7 Transparency papers 10 Pack
8 File suspension 100
9 Note Pads 50
10 Compact disc ( CD-R and /or CD-WR) 100
11 Registration books 10
12 Chalk 25 Pack
Office Equipment
1 Managerial chair 10
2 Secretary Chair 12
3 Office Tables 10
4 Guest Chairs (three in one) 02
5 Computer Desk 35

38
6 Paper Tray 10
7 File Cabinet 02
8 Shelves 02
9 Refrigerator 01
10 File Folders 20
11 Paper cutter ( A3 and A4 size) 02
12 Stapler ( small and large size) 10 (02) Small (large)
13 Puncher ( small and large size) 02 (02) Small (large)
14 Flunnel board (medium size) 02
15 Office curtains ……
16 Floor Plastic …..
17 Printers 01
18 Photo Copier 01
19 Scanner 01
20 Socket dividers 35
21 Stabilizers 20
22 UPS battery 35
23 Copy holders 02
24 Office ventilators 10

Human Resource Requirements:

Human Resource Number Benefits Remarks
MPH Program Coordinator 1 Regular Monthly top up
Secretary 1 Regular Monthly salary

Office Assistant 1 Regular Monthly salary

On course
Course coordinators 10 Monthly top up
offering period
 The amount of monthly top ups will be determined by the respective responsible
bodies.

39
 Department organogram:

Currently the department of public health in collaboration with Addis continental Institute of
Public Health has the capacity to provide General MPH program. The MPH program will be run
under the department of public health, where the program will have specific coordinator,
secretary and course coordinators who will be active during their course offering period. The
departments will subsequently launch tracks of specializations based on available managerial,
technical and human resource capacities.

College of Medicine and

Graduate Studies Directorate Health Sciences

Department of Public Health

MPH Program Coordinator

Epidemiology HSM and Population Health Environmental Health Officer

and Health and Family Education and and Occupational Program
Biostatistics Economics Health Behavioral Health Unit
Department Department Department Sciences Unit

Fig.1 organogram of the department of public health, Arba Minch University

Program Administration:
The department is run under the department of public health, however the program will have
responsible coordinator and each units will have course coordinators. The graduate study
program directly reports to the university graduate study programs directorate office and copy
to the college of medicine and health sciences. The program coordinator will supervise each and
every activity of the graduate program and in collaboration with course coordinators and unit
representatives. The MPH program coordinator will have an assistant secretary. A monthly top
up will be provided to the MPH program coordinator. Up on the delivery of a course a monthly
top up will be provided to the respected course coordinators for the specified course offering
period. The department of public health and ACIPH will manage the ongoing academic activities
of the program.

40
Payment Rate and Cost Breakdown for Each Semester

Year I Course Cr. Hr. Payment Total

rate payable
Semester I Epidemiology 4 450 1800
Biostatistics 4 450 1800
Health Service management and 4 450 1800
health Economics
Public Health Matters 2 450 900
Semester Total 14 450 6300
Semester II
Public Health Nutrition 2 450 900
Reproductive Health and population 4 450 900
studies
Health Promotion and Communication 2 450 900
Environmental Health 2 450 900
Semester Total 10 450 4500
Summer/semester Research Methods: quantitative and 3 450 1350
III qualitative
Second Year Master’s Thesis 6 5,000
Grand Total 33 17,150

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References
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http://www.ju.edu.et/cphms/
3. School of Public Health and Health Services Department of Prevention and Community
Health. Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate Public Health Communication
and Marketing 2010-2011 Available online at: http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/
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5. MPH Curriculum Requirements. Available Online at: http://fhs.aub.edu.lb accessed on:
November 26
6. University of IOWA, College of Public Health, Master of Public Health, The Practicum
Experience syllabus. Available online at:
http://cph.uiowa.edu/mph/practicum/about.html accessed on: 25th November 2011
7. University of Liverpool. Master of public health program outline
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http://www.mph.ufl.edu/programs/masterspublichealth.html accessed on 18th
November 2011

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