This course examines the philosophical (axiological, ontological, epistemological and aesthetic) bases of research. Approaches, methodologies and designs to research resulting from the different philosophical thoughts are examined in relation to various disciplines. Students are expected to design research projects and justify the philosophical underpinnings of the proposed methodologies.

The role of health in physical, social and economic development is examined. Both positive and negative implications of the reciprocal relationship between health status and individual, community and national and global development are examined. Structures, programmes and interventions at managing health at individual, local, national, regional and global levels are considered. Emerging challenges in health status and healthcare delivery system including funding, access, quality and social justice issues will be discussed. The course also discusses in details the roles of politics and political decisions in influencing the health and development at the levels of individual, local, national, regional and global. It further interrogates and critically analyse the contributions of key international health and related organisations in development and health development at the local, national, regional and global levels.

The focus of this course is the analysis of general and work environment to identify potential, eminent and real health and safety hazards (both natural and man-made) in order to proffer solutions. Both physical and psychosocial environment will be assessed. Health hazards emanating from the nature of jobs and the work environments will also be analysed. The principles of quantitative health and environmental risk assessment of toxicants will be presented. Qualitative and quantitative skills necessary to evaluate the probability of injury, disease, or death in the general population and workers from exposure to environmental contaminants and workplace hazards are discussed. Hazardous identification, exposure assessment, dose-response evaluation and risk characterization will be emphasized. Students may work with relevant institutions (EPA) to carry out environmental and occupational health and safety risk assessment. The impact of climate change and its related national and international agreements or treaties on the environment will be examined critically. Students capacity will be enhanced to enable them develop systems and procedures for risk assessment.

This course provides opportunity for students to examine literature, identify community approaches to health promotion and their effectiveness. Some models to be considered will include community development and community organisation approaches to health promotion. Students will also critique community health promotion programmes and interventions, their strengths and weaknesses. Students will critically examine theories and models that form the basis of these community health promotion programmes and how inter-agency collaboration affects health promotion interventions. Students will undertake field work at some agencies working on community health promotion programmes.

The course aims at identifying current health issues and diseases affecting both pregnant women and children globally. The course will examine the impact of various common health problems at different stages of the life cycle and their functional outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, psychological wellbeing, reproduction and growth. Students will also examine epidemiological literature on maternal and childhood diseases in developed and developing countries. Evaluation of various programmes and resources available to combat health and nutritional problems will be conducted. Discussions on the role of various international organizations will be done in the context of socioeconomic development and current political or economic policies and realities

The course has two related components. First, it provides opportunity for students to do in-depth analysis of multiple approaches and processes to health needs assessment including community change model and population health framework. The other part of the course covers theories and principles for planning community health intervention programmes to maximise efficacy, accountability and sustainability.

The purpose of this course is to examine theoretical and ethical basis of health promotion. It provides students with the opportunity to examine literature to identify the fundamental assumptions of health promotion interventions and the degree to which they work. Emphasis will be placed on development of efficacious, equitable and sustainable health interventions. Critical issues to be considered include the dilemma of a paradigm shift from curative to prevention and promotion and leadership challenges in multisectoral approach to health promotion. Students will also critically examine the knowledge brokering in health promotion including healthcare systems. Students will develop competency in selecting or designing innovative health interventions that are based on solid evidence and be able to translate research evidence into policy and health programmes.

The course examines qualitative research from design (phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, ethnomethodology, etc.) through practical approaches to data collection, analysis and reporting. It also considers practical computer applications as well as ethical issues in qualitative research.

The course examines qualitative research design from the perspectives of phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, ethnomethodology through practical approaches to data collection, analysis and reporting. It also considers practical computer applications as well as ethical issues in qualitative research.

The purpose of this course is to identify and analyse existing policies regarding environmental and occupational health and safety. Policies will be viewed from global, regional, national and local, and organisational levels. The course will review the processes for developing policies, critiquing their appropriateness and identifying action plans for the implementation of policies. For example, Students will analyse the various occupational health and safety policies and the institutions responsible for their implementations. They will examine factors limiting the formulation of a comprehensive national occupational health and safety policy and setting up of single resourced institutions for its implementation. Students will develop an understanding of environmental and occupational health policies, laws, key concepts and principles, proposals and approaches for regulatory reform. Also, approaches to policy analysis, and overall phases and issues in the policy making process will be explored.

The course covers models, principles and practices of accountability in health promotion interventions. Evaluation of models relevant to different stages of health promotion interventions will be reviewed. Among others, the course will cover areas such as focus, design, data collection, analysis and reporting as well as ethical issues. Specifically, the course will examine the framework for health promotion programme evaluation paying attention to comprehensive and participatory approaches for evaluating health promotion programmes. Students will also be equipped with in-depth knowledge in the analysis of transformative alliance between qualitative and quantitative approaches in health promotion research.  Economic evaluation/cost analysis of health promotion programmes will also be explored.

This course will examine relevant theories and explains human behaviour in relation to health. A major component of the course is the analysis of the determinants of individual and group or community behaviour in response to policies, resources, services, and other health promotion activities. Major theories and models of specific health behaviour (dietary, drug, sexual, reproductive, safety, etc.) management will be discussed. Class discussions, assignments and other experiences will focus on understanding the social and cultural issues that influence health and health related behaviour of specific populations, with emphasis on Ghana.

This course will provide a public health perspective for assessing and meeting the health needs of women, children, adolescents and families in Ghana. Historical and current principles, programmes, policies, practices and issues related to these populations will be examined. The course will also focus on reviewing existing health promotion interventions that target maternal and child health. Policies, resources, services, programmes and other health promotion activities that target mothers and children will be examined for appropriateness in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation. Such social interventions will include immunization, nutrition interventions, food supplementation, free maternal care, mass screening, mass de-worming, family planning and adolescents’ mobile health.

Thesis Proposal Seminars

Two seminars are required in Year 2. The first seminar is essentially a report of an initial literature review in the student’s chosen specific area of research. It affords students the opportunity to explore the theoretical foundations of the research problem and justify its viability. Students produce a concept paper of their research and an annotated bibliography of potential literature for the study. The second seminar is the presentation and defence of the thesis proposal.

Thesis Report Seminars

Two seminars are required in Year 3. In the first seminar, the student is given the opportunity to present the analysis of data, preliminary results and reflections from the field.

The second seminar is an oral defence (viva voce).