95737 Communicable Disease Prevention and Control
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10360 Bachelor of Public Health OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10410 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10396 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10441 Bachelor of Health Sciences Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10469 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Management OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10470 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Economics OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10468 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Business OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10466 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
Description
Communicable diseases are a major contributor to the global burden of disease posing a significant public health challenge. The expansion of the human-animal interface coupled with the speed and scale of national and international travel present an ever-changing risk of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases. With the last three decades seeing a significant increase in outbreaks, the need for better understanding transmission dynamics and management of communicable diseases is timely and relevant. This subject provides students underpinning knowledge, principles and skills in communicable diseases prevention and control.
Students gain an understanding of communicable diseases epidemiology, and its relationship to communicable disease prevention and management. The contribution and application of surveillance and other public health strategies on communicable diseases control are elaborated. Using case studies in Australia and low- and middle-income countries, students gain deeper insights on factors that have contributed to successes on public health action towards communicable diseases control, challenges and opportunities for better addressing these. The need for integrating a multifaceted and a coordinated approach that goes beyond a biomedical model including building coalitions, policy advocacy, cooperation between different sectors and dissemination of health information are discussed.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Describe the chain of infection and explain its relationship to prevention and control of communicable diseases |
|---|---|
| B. | Recognise and analyse factors that make some population groups at a greater risk of communicable diseases |
| C. | Describe epidemiological principles underpinning communicable disease prevention and control; and consider their application within a variety of settings |
| D. | Collaborate and communicate with peers in planning and developing public health responses to selected examples of communicable diseases in Australia |
| E. | Discuss and critically analyse public health strategies used in the prevention and control of communicable diseases |
| F. | Demonstrate understanding of the importance of collaborative and coordinated approaches to communicable disease prevention and control |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Analyse and contextualise complex data including statistical information in public health. (1.1)
- Respect and respond to the needs of diverse groups to improve health outcomes. (1.2)
- Develop creative and innovative responses to health issues. (2.2)
- Facilitate meaningful collaboration between stakeholders to develop effective public health strategies. (3.2)
- Translate and communicate knowledge and research effectively to various audiences. (3.3)
- Demonstrates critical thinking in the development and practice of public health. (5.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Strategy 1: Independent learning (by way of preparation)
Students take responsibility for their preparation for lectures and tutorials which helps develop appropriate professional self-management skills. Through completion of readings and/or tasks before lectures and tutorials (as outlined in Canvas), by watching videos (loaded onto UTS Online) prior to class, students will develop knowledge of key concepts and develop skills underpinning communicable disease management that they will then practise and develop further during tutorials.
Strategy 2: Lectures
Students listen to an hour of lectures presented each week (except for Week 1). These lectures bring together the essential principles and core knowledge on communicable disease management that is analysed and applied during tutorial sessions and the assessment tasks.
Strategy 3: Tutorial participation
By participating in weekly two hour tutorials, students will test their knowledge on communicable disease prevention and control; and develop and refine their critical analysis skills around emerging issues on communicable disease management. The tutorials will offer an opportunity for a more interactive and practical approach to the learning that occurs in the lectures. The tutorials are designed to be an interactive forum for facilitating authentic learning, collaboration between peers, presentation and debating of ideas and for more personalised and in-depth discussion on communicable disease management. Active participation will be essential in achieving the learning objectives for each session. Feedback will be provided throughout to further augment student learning.
Strategy 4: Guest lecturers
Experts in the field of communicable disease prevention and control will be invited to present exposing students to real-world life experiences from the field and build important connections between what they are learning and the real world.
Content (topics)
Topic 1: Concepts of disease occurrence
- Introduction to communicable diseases
- Introduction to basic concepts in the epidemiology and control of communicable/infectious diseases
- Social determinants of health and communicable diseases
Topic 2: Communicable disease control principles and methods
- Communicable disease surveillance
- Outbreak investigation
- Preventive and control strategies
- Infection control – health care facilities
- Health promotion - raising awareness and promoting behaviour change - health education, health communication(messaging)
Topic 3: Key issues in communicable disease prevention and control
- Communicable/infectious disease prevention and control in LMICs – HIV, malaria and TB as examples
- One Health – Working at the human- animal- environment interface
- Public health action on communicable disease control in Australia - successes, challenges and opportunities
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online quizzes
| Intent: | To determine how well students understand fundamental concepts on communicable disease taxonomy, transmission modes and epidemiology; and their application to communicable disease prevention and control. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 1.2 and 2.2 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Two online quizzes with 15 questions per quiz. 60 minutes to complete each quiz in class. |
Assessment task 2: Investigation of an outbreak- Group presentations
| Intent: | Students develop skills in conducting field investigation and consolidate and apply their knowledge of communicable disease transmission, epidemiology, surveillance and management. Students will also gain presentation, communication and teamwork skills. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 3.3 and 5.1 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | This assessment will comprise of two components: group presentations and a reflective piece.The allocated time for the presentations is 30 min per group (20 minutes for the presentation and 10 minutes for discussion). The reflective piece length is a maximum of 500 words. |
Assessment task 3: A public health response to an outbreak using a health promotion approach – a consultation report
| Intent: | Students acquire skills in developing evidence-informed solutions reflecting in-depth knowledge of the interplay between social determinants of health and communicable diseases. Students recognise the public health needs of population subgroups; and translate research and evaluation on public health strategies used in the prevention and control of communicable diseases into professional practice through critical thinking and knowledge integration. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, E and F |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Report length is a maximum of 1800 words and should contain 15 references maximum. |
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: https://www.lib.uts.edu.au/, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.