Unit Code: EPI901

Unit Name: Evaluation of a Health System or programme

Description: In this course, MAE students will either (a) evaluate a health information system or a health intervention program in order to assess its effectiveness in achieving the objectives of the system/program, and make recommendations for strengthening the system; or (b) establish a new health information system or intervention program to strengthen the effectiveness of a specified program. The system or program may cover: health surveys, health care attendances, disease registers (communicable and non-communicable diseases), vaccination registers, environmental health surveys, reproductive health information system, and performance indicators among many others. On successful completion of this course, students will elaborate findings in a mini-thesis or a report of up to 3,000 to 5,000 words for public health professionals (i.e. it needs to meet the standards for publication in a peer reviewed journal) and other relevant stakeholders. The mini-thesis will include: (a) Evaluation report: Summary description of the context and logic model of the system, specific objectives of the evaluation, methodology for data collection and analysis, including list of key questions, documents reviewed and people interviewed, analysis and synthesis of the findings, conclusions on strengths, weaknesses, gaps and challenges, recommendations for strengthening the program; or (b) Report from establishing new system/program: Summary description of the context and rationale for new system/program; structure, governance and implementation arrangements; stakeholders and benefactors; logic model of the system/program, flow of data and feedback; monitoring and evaluation framework. The report based on at least one of the three mini-theses in EPI 900, EPI901 or EPI 902 of the MAE program, must be (a) communicated in an oral presentation at a national or international conference, and (b) prepared as an advanced draft for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to : 1. Design a research protocol (including study rationale, problem statement, aims, objectives, literature review and methods) 2. Implement a research study to either evaluate a health information system or a health intervention program for a selected health indicator in order to assess its effectiveness in achieving the objectives of the system/program, and to make recommendations for strengthening the system/program; or establish a new health information system or intervention program to strengthen the effectiveness of a specified program. 3. Demonstrate mastery of evaluating a health information system or a health intervention program or establish a new health information system or intervention program in a report of up to 3,000 to 5,000 words for public health professionals (i.e. it needs to meet the standards for publication in a peer reviewed journal) and other relevant stakeholders

Prerequisite: EPI831, EPI832, EPI833, EPI834 and EPI 835

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 30

Offered In: Semester 1,2