UWA Handbook 2027

Unit Overview

Description

His unit is designed to allow students to apply the theory and content that they have learnt at University to a current health issue in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC). The students will work with a local university or Non-Government Organization (NGO) on a health issue that the partner has identified as a priority. The students will be required to plan, implement and reflect on fieldwork that may include: interviews with/or seminars given by key local personnel such as health professionals, government officials, school teachers and community leaders; engagement with local NGOs and community members through group meetings, interviews, surveys and/or social events; site visits of health and community agencies; and field observations of environmental and social factors affecting health. The students will synthesise their fieldwork findings with published literature to prepare a report that includes recommendations for addressing the issue/s. The students will present these findings to an invited audience of key stakeholders. The NGOs that we work with tend to undertake work in the areas of Maternal and Child Health, Water and Sanitation, Food and Nutrition, and general public health. The location may change from year to year. The unit will be tailored to the country/region and Agency that we work with.

The academic objectives are to (1) develop an appreciation and understanding of public health issues in LMIC; (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 LMIC; (4) develop effective communication skills in a different cultural setting; and (5) build an understanding of an important global health issue.

The unit may be offered in rural Australia or virtually if world events prevent travel.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	On-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

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 fieldwork

; (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)

Associate Professor Julie Saunders and Associate Professor Peter Franklin

Unit rules

Prerequisites

any 1 of PUBH5749 Foundations of Public Health, PUBH5705 Health Program Evaluation, PUBH5754 Health Promotion, PUBH5805 Qualitative Research Methods in Health, PUBH4403 Epidemiology 1
or PUBH5705 Health Program Evaluation

Advisable prior study

PUBH5749 Foundations of Public Health, PUBH5754 Health Promotion, PUBH4403 Epidemiology 1

Approved quota: 20—based upon the students' expressions of interest, interview and academic performance. Given the small quota, places will be allocated to students in the MPH.

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 - $3,000).

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.