Maternal and child health in a global perspective, 3 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

• Describe, explain and analyse variations in maternal and child/adolescent mortality and morbidity patterns and their determinants in and between countries and over time, including the main diseases/symptoms causing maternal and childhood mortality and morbidity and how they can be treated/prevented.
• Describe, explain and analyse the main international interventions and policies for prevention and cure of morbidity and mortality related to sexual and reproductive health and childhood/adolescence.
• Critically analyse the evidence base of interventions and policies.
• Describe and evaluate the vulnerability and the risks women and children are exposed to in low and middle-income settings but also in emergency situations.

• Variations in child and maternal mortality and morbidity and its determinants
• Main diseases causing childhood mortality and morbidity during childhood and related to sexual and reproductive health and how they can be prevented and treated.
• The main international interventions and policies for prevention and care of reproductive health and childhood/adolescent morbidity and mortality, including "Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses" (IMCI) and "Safe Motherhood"/ midwifery, emergency care, postabortion care, and others.
• Vulnerability and risks - in relation to women's position and socio-economic status and in relation to child and adolescent development, maturing and socio-economic environment.

The course consists of lectures, group work and readings of course literature/course literature studies.

Written examination.

The final grade Pass on the course requires Pass on the written exam (or 65% of points) or distinction (90%) .

Compulsory participation
The examiner assesses if, and in that case how, absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, the student's results for the course/respective part will not be registered.

Limitation of number of occasions to write the exam
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in will not be counted as an examination.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

The students will have the opportunity to give continuous feedback and input during the course to ensure that the course is as student-driven as possible.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education. 

The course language is English.