UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is designed to further develop public health knowledge and practice by addressing health issues in a developing country. The location may change from year to year and may be in rural Australia. The unit is tailored for the country that students visit and may involve working with a local non-government organisation (NGO), on a health issue identified as a priority for that NGO; or undertaking a series of site visits. The students interact with the local community members, local health professionals and community groups. The academic objectives are to (1) develop an appreciation and understanding of public health issues in a less developed country or region; (2) develop an understanding of cultural, economic, environmental and social determinants of health; (3) synthesise these factors into an understanding of the health in a less developed region of the world; (4) develop effective communication skills in a different cultural setting; and (5) build an understanding of an important developing country or region.

The unit may be offered virtually if circumstances make it not possible for travel.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	Perth and Fiji	Face to face
Non-standard teaching period	Perth and Nepal	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) employ skills of field observation, recording, questioning and analysis; (2) identify the main health issues in the region of the field work; (3) investigate the factors that influence the health of the community; (4) recommend health promotion strategies applicable to the local health issues; (5) apply effective communication skills in a different cultural setting; and (6) identify their own limitations and how and when to access support.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a background assignment to be completed during the semester prior to the field work; (2) a group report and presentation; and (3) participation in tutorials and field work. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the a background assignment to be completed during the semester prior to the field work component.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Julie Saunders

Unit rules

Prerequisites

24 points of prior course study

Incompatibility

IMED3303 Interprofessional Health Practice

Advisable prior study

PUBH1101 Health and Illness in Human Populations
or PUBH1102 Foundations of Global Health
or PUBH2204 Disease Prevention and Control

Approved quota: 20—(1) students who are enrolled in the Population Health major and who have completed 24 points, including PUBH1101 or PUBH1102; selection is based upon academic merit (WAM) plus a personal statement on how the unit's learning outcomes meet their personal and professional goals; (2) non-Population Health major students who have completed 24 points of their degree; selection is based upon academic merit (WAM) plus a personal statement on how the unit's learning outcomes meet their personal and professional goals.

All students are required to submit an Expression of Interest and participate in an interview prior to enrolling in the unit.

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Airfares, accommodation, internal travel, host fee and daily living while in the fieldwork location. (estimated cost - 3000).

Contact hours

Attendance on campus for up to six, 2-hour seminars, followed by up to 14 days of working with an NGO in countries such as Nepal and Fiji. Timing, location and mode of delivery will be dependent on partner agencies and university travel restrictions.

Note

Police Clearance or Working with Children check may be required.

Given the international nature of the field trip, students need to be aware that the unit may be cancelled if travel warnings are issued for the host location prior to departure, or during the visit. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) regularly reviews and reissues their travel advice to reflect the level of danger they perceive to be present in each country. Their travel advice for the host location can be viewed at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/. The trip to the host location will not proceed if DFAT issues a Level 4 travel warning (i.e. 'Reconsider your need to travel'). In the event of an emergency during the field trip, and where DFAT re-classifies the travel advice for the host location to a Level 4, students will be instructed to return to Australia as soon as possible. For further details, refer to the UWA Emergency Travel Management Plan.

Please note that a condition of enrolment in this unit is the student's adherence to the unit requirements prior to departure. The following criteria must be met to remain enrolled in the unit: (1) assignment 1 must be submitted and completed to a satisfactory standard; (2) application for a travel visa must be submitted by the specified due date; (3) travel is organised through a University preferred provider and the costs associated with the trip must be paid in full by the specified due date; (4) emergency contacts/pre-existing health conditions and medication use must be submitted to the School of Population and Global Health by the specified due date; (5) the student is to read and commit to follow the UWA policy on code of conduct for field work and health and safety advice as outlined in the unit guidebook; and (6) Vaccinations (including COVID) in line with DFAT, UWA Policy and SPGH guidelines are a requirement of enrolment in this unit.