Global Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Intervention

Ph.D. -course

Course description

Course content

Objectives:

The course gives an outline of the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) globally and current interventions to control the disease. It also aims to make the participant able to critically review relevant research papers about TB and design a research study on TB related issues.

Content:

This is an on-line course with much in common with INTH328B for master students. The course includes TB history and epidemiology, clinical characteristics, microbiological aspects, diagnostic considerations, chemotherapy, treatment and follow-up strategies, drug resistance and its impact on global TB burden, the preventive strategies, the impact of HIV on TB, the global TB control strategies, some cultural aspects and socioeconomic impact of TB.

Based on the above information the course participants will critically review the research papers on a TB intervention strategy and will write a protocol on a relevant research question.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

  • Describes important historical milestones in the management of TB
  • Explains and interprets the major transitions in TB epidemiology
  • Explains the basics of disease pathogenesis and natural course of infection
  • Recognizes the symptoms and signs of the TB patient
  • Explains the role of the laboratory diagnosis in TB control
  • Describes the principles of chemotherapy for TB
  • Recognizes how drug resistance may develop and how it can be avoided
  • Describes how multidrug resistance influences the TB epidemic
  • Explains how HIV influences TB epidemic
  • Explains the socioeconomic consequence of TB for the individuals

Skills

The student:

  • Identifies important determinants of TB exposure, infection and disease
  • Identifies a presumptive TB patient
  • Assesses the significance and limitations of the various TB diagnostic methods
  • Interprets the data from laboratory and treatment registers to assess the performance of laboratory services, and clinical management .
  • Conducts a cohort analysis of a tuberculosis register
  • Critically analyses research papers
  • Identifies knowledge gap in research area of interest
  • Designs own research project
  • Appraises the role of preventive TB strategies in global TB control
  • Reviews relevant literature in own research area
  • Formulates research question
  • Designs a research study

General competence

The student:

  • Assesses the epidemiological situation for TB globally and to apply the knowledge to improve the management of TB.
  • Understands the importance of national programs and other stakeholders and their roles in TB control.
  • Assesses and advises, with public health perspective, other disease control programs
  • Develops a research proposal

Study period

Spring

Course location

On-line. Based at Centre for International Health.
Language of instruction
English
Pre-requirements
  • Proficiency in English at a level corresponding to TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or IELTS band 6.0 is expected.
  • Basic knowledge of scientific research methods.
  • Master level in a health related topic
  • Basic knowledge about microbiology, immunology and pathology
  • Compulsory Requirements
    The students must respond to all quizzes and questions, and submit research assignment.
    Course overlap
    5 ECTS credits reduction to the course INTH328B
    Who may participate
    Students enrolled in the PhD programme at UiB or students enrolled in similar programmes at partner universities of CIH/UiB.
    Supplementary course information

    All course work and communication will be given on-line. Student investment time: total 160 hours, divided into online lectures or videos 30 hrs, individual reading 70 hrs, and individual work 60 hrs

    The course consists of on-line lectures and related individual reading (see reading list below). At the end of each section there are quizzes with multiple-choice questions with immediate correct responses and explanation. These are designed to enable students to learn application of knowledge in the in real-life clinical and epidemiological case scenarios. Paper reviews and research assignments given for individual work. Some assignments/quizzes will be based on data analysis from tuberculosis registers used in the global tuberculosis control programmes. Online peer-discussion forums are developed, encouraged and monitored.

    The learning units are as follows: (1) historical perspectives & epidemiology of TB, (2) how does TB develop in humans, (3) how does TB disease present in patients (4). What is the role of laboratory in the diagnosis and global TB management (5) What are the principals of TB treatment, emergence and impact of drug resistance on TB epidemic (6) Socioeconomic and cultural aspects of TB (7) Global TB management strategies (8) Literature review and writing research proposal on a TB related topic.

    Academic responsible

    Professor Sven Gudmund Hinderaker (Sven.Hinderaker@uib.no)

    Professor Tehmina Mustafa (Tehmina.Mustafa@uib.no)

    Reading list
    The reading list will be made available by 1 December on Mitt UiB