MPH 2 batch competition NOTES

MASTER PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH) COMPETITION EXAM TOPICS - SECOND BATCH 2023

1. Concept and Determinants of Health

  • WHO Definition of Health:

    • Health is described as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease (1948).

    • Expanded to include the capacity to lead a "socially and economically productive life".

    • Multidimensional nature: Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, Spiritual.

1.1 Dimensions of Health

  • Physical Health:

    • Concerns anatomical integrity and physiological functioning.

    • Ability to perform routine tasks without physical restrictions (e.g. physical fitness).

  • Mental Health:

    • Ability to learn and think clearly; a mentally unfit person struggles to learn at a normal pace.

  • Social Health:

    • Ability to interact acceptably with others (e.g. participate in celebrations, mourning).

  • Emotional Health:

    • Capability to express emotions appropriately and maintain integrity during stress.

  • Spiritual Health:

    • Relation of health to personal values and beliefs, contributing to overall satisfaction.

2. Different Perspectives on Health

  • Various views:

    • Health as a Right: Fundamental rights approach, advocated by WHO.

    • Health as Consumption Good: Viewed as a material objective.

    • Health as an Investment: Prerequisite for development affecting productivity and economic growth.

3. Determinants of Health

  • Health Field Concept addressing four major determinants:

    • Human Biology: Genetic factors influencing health.

    • Environment: External factors, including physical, biological, psychosocial, and chemical influences.

    • Lifestyle (Behavior): Actions that directly affect health outcomes, e.g. smoking, dietary habits.

    • Health Care Organization: Access and quality of health services provided.

3.1 Ecological Perspective on Determinants

  • Factors affecting health from an ecological viewpoint:

    • Physical Determinants: Geography, industrial development, climate.

    • Socio-Cultural Determinants: Community beliefs and customs impacting health.

    • Community Organization: Resource distribution and community interaction.

    • Behavioral Determinants: Individual health behaviors influencing community well-being.

4. Introduction to Public Health

  • Definition of Public Health:

    • Art and science of disease prevention and health promotion via community efforts (Charles-Edward A. Winslow, 1920).

4.1 Major Disciplines in Public Health

  • Community Health: Improvement of health in communities using GIS and public datasets.

  • Nutrition: Focus on food, nutrients, and balancing health-related actions.

  • Reproductive Health: Handling health related to reproductive processes.

  • Environmental Health: Identifying hazards and modifying environments to improve health.

  • Epidemiology: Study of diseases in populations to inform health strategies.

  • Health Promotion and Education: Enabling control over health through community engagement.

5. Core Activities and Functions in Public Health

  • Core Functions:

    • Assessment, Policy Development, Assurance.

  • Essential Public Health Services:

    • Includes monitoring health status, educating on health issues, and developing community partnerships.

6. Health and Development

  • Relationship Between Health and Development:

    • Good health enhances productivity and supports economic growth.

    • Investments in health are necessary for human capital development, akin to investments in education.

6.1 Difference Between Development and Economic Growth

  • Economic Growth: Increased productive capacity indicators.

  • Development: Encompasses well-being from various dimensions, not solely economic measures.

7. Health Promotion

  • WHO Health Promotion Definition: Enables communities to improve health and well-being.

  • Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion Principles:

    • Advocate, Enable, Mediate.

7.1 Core Principles of Health Promotion

  • Focus on equity, intersectorality, empowerment, social participation, sustainability.

8. Basic Concepts in Health Education

  • Definition: Combination of learning experiences to promote voluntary actions conducive to health.

  • Importance: Need-based approach with effective, two-way communication strategies.

9. Community Engagement in Health

  • Definition: Strategic involvement of community stakeholders for improved health outcomes.

  • Importance: Builds trust, enhances decision-making, manages conflicts, and promotes participatory governance.

10. Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC)

  • Overview: Process that emphasizes community engagement and participatory decision-making for behavior change.

  • Strategies:

    • Social marketing, advocacy, community mobilization, etc., to promote health and change behaviors.

11. Vaccine-Preventable Diseases of Public Health Concerns in Yemen

11.1 Measles

  • Description: Highly contagious viral disease; requires vaccination for prevention.

  • Symptoms: Fever, rash, cough; complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

11.2 Diphtheria

  • Description: Bacterial disease with serious complications; prevention through vaccination.

11.3 Polio

  • Description: Infectious viral disease leading to paralysis; prevention through vaccination is key.

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11.4 Malaria

  • Description: Life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes; preventable and treatable.

  • Control Strategies: Vector control, chemoprophylaxis, preventive chemotherapy, and malaria vaccination initiatives.

11.5 Dengue

  • Symptoms: Fever, severe headache, muscle pain; severe cases may cause complications.

  • Control: Focus on vector control and public awareness.

11.6 Chikungunya

  • Symptoms: High fever and severe joint pain; no specific treatment exists.

  • Prevention: Mosquito control measures and community engagement.