Diploma in Public Health

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DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH

A Diploma in Public Health is a comprehensive program that prepares students to address health issues at the population level. This course covers essential subjects such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, and social aspects of public health. Students gain practical skills in disease prevention, health promotion, and research methods while studying global health challenges. The program often includes hands-on experiences through field work or internships, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in public health agencies, NGOs, or government organizations. This diploma serves as a foundation for those aiming to improve community health outcomes and can lead to roles such as health educator, program coordinator, or public health officer.

A Diploma in Public Health is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address health issues at a population level. Here’s an overview of what a prospective student can expect from this course:

       1.Core subjects:

  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Environmental health
  • Health policy and management
  • Social and behavioral sciences in public health

      2.Key areas of study:

  • Disease prevention and control
  • Health promotion and education
  • Research methods in public health
  • Global health issues
  • Public health nutrition
  • Occupational health and safety

       3.Practical components:

  • Field work or internships with public health agencies
  • Case studies and real-world problem-solving exercises
  • Data analysis and interpretation projects

      4.Career prospects:

  • Public health officer
  • Health educator
  • Research assistant
  • Program coordinator in NGOs or government agencies
  • Community health worker

      5.Skills developed:

  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Health program planning and evaluation
  • Communication and advocacy
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Understanding of health systems and policies

This diploma provides a solid foundation for those interested in improving community health outcomes and can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced degrees in public health.

Course requirements

  • The minimum requirement for admission for Diploma in Public Health and Community Practice is a C in KSCE or its equivalent with a minimum pass C in English or Kiswahili and minimum passes C in Biology and Mathematics respectively and minimum passes of C- in any of the following: Chemistry, Physics or Physical science and Building construction/Technical drawing.; or
  • A certificate in Environmental Health, Public Health, Community Health or Social Work and Community Development or any other relevant field of study from a recognized Institution.

  • MODULE 1: GOAL ANALYSIS, COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
  • MODULE 2: CONCEPTS AND GLOBAL TRENDS IN HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • MODULE 3: APPLIED SCIENCES
  • MODULE 4: FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
  • MODULE 5: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • MODULE 6: BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
  • MODULE 7: DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
  • MODULE 8: PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP
  • MODULE 9: HEALTH SYSTEM AND SERVICES MANAGEMENT
  • MODULE 10: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ENGINEERING
  • MODULE 11: BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING
  • MODULE 12: FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY CONTROL AND SECURITY
  • MODULE 13: ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • MODULE 14: APPLIED RESEARCH METHOD
  • MODULE 15: LEARNING THROUGH SERVICE (LTS) PROJECT
  • MODULE 16: RESEARCH PROJECT

 

IDIA’S Public Health Course structure

Course Module Course Unit Name Credit hours
Theory Practical Total
MODULE 1: GOAL ANALYSIS, COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Goal analysis and personal development 20 0 20
Leadership, ethics and integrity 20 0 20
Communication skills 40 0 40
Introduction to ICT and basic computer application 40 40 80
Geographic information systems (GIS) 20 20 40
  Total 140 60 200
MODULE 2: CONCEPTS AND GLOBAL TRENDS IN HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT Concepts in global health and development 40 0 40
Introduction to principles of sustainable development and rights based approach 30 0 30
Population and demographic factors in health and development 30 0 30
Total 100 0 100
MODULE 3: APPLIED SCIENCES Applied Chemistry 30 0 30
Applied physics 30 0 30
Applied Mathematics 30 0 30
Parasitology 30 0 30
Human Anatomy and Physiology 90 0 90
Microbiology and Laboratory practices 20 10 30
Pharmacology and Therapeutics 30 0 30
Total 260 10 270
MODULE 4: FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Fundamentals of Environmental Health 40 0 40
Principles of public Health 20 0 20
Introduction to epidemiology 40 0 40
Introduction to environmental sanitation and hygiene 40 0 40
Total 140 0 140
MODULE 5: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT Community-Based Health Care 42 18 60
Principles of community development 40 0 40
Social mobilization and community organization 30 0 30
Community based education and training 30 0 30
Gender and social inclusion and protection 20 0 20
Peace building and conflict management 20 0 20
Total 162 18 180
MODULE 6: BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES Human Psychology 30 0 30
Behavioral Science 50 0 50
Counselling psychology and Community based counselling 40 0 40
Health beliefs and behavioural aspects of health 40 0 40
Total 160 0 160
MODULE 7: DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL Communicable Diseases 64 6 70
Non-Communicable Diseases 40 0 40
Infection prevention and Control 18 12 30
Immunization 30 0 30
HIV/AIDS and STIs 30 0 30
First Aid 20 10 30
Health Education and promotion 50 20 70
Port Health 40 10 50
Pest Control 30 10 40
Essential Drugs Management and Rational Drug Use 30 0 30
Sexual Reproductive health and gender based violence 30 0 30
Maternal, newborn and child health 30 0 30
Total 412 68 480
MODULE 8: PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP Entrepreneurship 40 0 40
People and Human Resource Management 30 0 30
Financial planning and management 30 0 30
Resource mobilization and fundraising 20 0 20
Social marketing 20 0 20
Total   140 0 140
MODULE 9: HEALTH SYSTEM AND SERVICES MANAGEMENT Health systems Management I 40 0 40
Health System Management II 40 0 40
Health Services Management and Administration 40 0 40
Decentralization and devolved health system 30 0 30
Public Health Law and Conventions 32 8 40
Total 182 8 190
MODULE 10: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ENGINEERING Conservancy 40 0 40
Solid Waste Management 1 40 10 50
Liquid Waste Management 40 10 50
Community Water Supplies and Quality Control 60 10 70
Ventilation and Lighting 30 0 30
Drainage and Plumbing 40 0 40
Solid Waste Management II 30 10 40
Total 280 40 320
MODULE 11: BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING Technical Drawing and Design 52 18 70
Building Materials Science 50 0 50
Quantity survey 18 2 20
Mechanics of Structure 16 4 20
Building Construction and Technology 62 18 80
Rural and Urban Planning 50 0 50
Property Inspection 30 30 60
Total 278 72 350
MODULE 12: FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY CONTROL AND SECURITY Fish and Products 20 0 20
Milk and Milk products 20 10 30
Community Nutrition 30 0 30
Food of plant origin and Beverages 16 4 20
Meat inspection and pathology 50 20 70
Comparative Anatomy of Food and Non-food Animals 40 10 50
Food Hygiene and preservation 20 10 30
Hygiene of Food premises 10 10 20
Agri-business and food security 30 0 30
Total 236 64 300
MODULE 13: ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT Environmental Pollution Control 50 0 50
Climate Change and Health 30 30 60
Community based conservation and natural resources management 30 0 30
Disaster Management 50 0 50
Environmental Health Impact Assessment 20 20 40
Total 180 50 230
MODULE 14: APPLIED RESEARCH METHOD Research Methods 40 0 40
Health statistics 40 0 40
Community Diagnosis 10 90 100
Total 90 90 180
MODULE 15: LEARNING THROUGH SERVICE (LTS) Learning Through Service (LTS) 1 30 150 180
Learning Through Service (LTS) 2 30 150 180
Total 60 300 360
MODULE 16: RESEARCH PROJECT Research project 20 120 140
 OVERALL TOTAL 2,700 900 3,600