Duration: 12-calendar months (2 semesters)
About the Programme
The School of Medical Sciences - Department of Community Health has been involved in training students to empower individuals/households/communities to promote health within their communities. Training has also been provided in the use of research methods and techniques to take evidence-based steps to manage the major endemic and epidemic diseases of the community as well as be able to use mass control measures.
There is an urgent need to strengthen the health education capacity in most developing countries. In Ghana, especially in the face of rapid increases in risky behaviour and unhealthy lifestyles that result in avoidable diseases and premature deaths, the need for health education is great. Many lifestyle-related illnesses could be significantly reduced if a comprehensive health education programme achieved its goals.
The need for health education in Ghana can further be seen in mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS teenage pregnancy as well as several other non-communicable diseases in Ghana. Other problems such as poor nutrition, dental diseases and poor physical fitness illustrate the need for early health education. The potential that health education holds for the alleviation of all these health problems is largely untapped.
In order to meet the challenges and changing demands of public health and, preventive and promotive medicine, the programme structure accommodates a diversity of backgrounds relevant to public health professionals. The core courses provide an avenue for the integration of academic training with professional practice.
Objectives of programme:
At the end of the training programme, students would have acquired the skills to:
- Provide educational, counselling and behaviour change skills in a variety of settings that will have the greatest impact on preventing future illness, disability and death.
- Assess individual and community needs for health promotion.
- Plan, implement and evaluate health promotion programmes.
- Coordinate provision of health promotion services.
- Act as a resource person in health promotion.
- Communicate health and health promotion needs, concerns and resources.
- Understand current issues and trends in health promotion.
- Prepare action plans for implementation of programmes for control of diseases and other priority health services.
- Enhance understanding of the broad managerial processes and policies necessary for the promotion of health in Ghana, with particular emphasis on the role of the health services.
- Focus on healthy public policy and health promotion.
- Actively participate in the organization and management of health services
Entry requirement:
To qualify to read the MSc/MPH (Health Education and Promotion) programme, the applicant should have a good first degree (at least 2nd class lower) preferably in any of the life sciences such as medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, public health, environmental health, pharmacy or health-related sectors such as the social sciences, development and education. The first degree should be from a recognized University/College. In addition, applicants should have had at least two years post-graduation work/job experience. The final selection will be done through a written examination followed by an interview.
Student intake:
The KNUST-School of Public Health is equipped to handle twenty (20) students each year. The limitation is due to the fact that the School does not have the required critical mass of faculty and teaching space. All lectures will take place at the KNUST-School of Public while fieldwork will take place at various sites of public health interest.
Career Prospects
There are many job opportunities for students who graduate; especially as Health Promoters, at all levels of the health sector (National, Regional, and District). They can also work in the research setting especially in behaviour change-related research.
Non-Governmental Organizations and departments of health in other public sector organizations such as the Ministries of Education, Interior, Information, and both multilateral and bilateral donor agencies are also very important places that can absorb Health Promoters trained in this Institution. Students after completion can also set up their own consultancies in Health Promotion.
Assessment requirements:
Students will be assessed in the theory-based courses through a systematic programme of continuous assessments (including class participation and attendance) that will be carried out through each semester. Continuous assessments will make up 30% of the final semester grade while the end of semester examination takes up 70%.
Requirement for graduation:
This shall be in accordance with the KNUST’s requirements as contained in the University Statutes and the regulations of the School of Research and Graduate Studies. For the award of MSc/MPH (Health Education and Promotion), the student must have obtained a minimum of 64 credit hours including the submission and successful defence of a written dissertation.