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Title Infections in the tropics
Course number 1472
Programme Infektionsbiologi och global hälsa (BIGH)
Language English
Credits 7.5
Date 2018-10-17 -- 2018-12-14
Responsible KI department Institutionen för medicin, Solna
Specific entry requirements
Purpose of the course The aim of the course is to observe and understand the challenges of infections to society and healthcare in tropical countries. This course will be held in Sweden and an African country (Ghana or Ethiopia) and will include lectures on infections that can be found in the tropics as well as site visits to hospitals for lectures on the problems faced by both staff and patients affected by infections. This course would benefit students in the fields of infection biology and global health.
Intended learning outcomes To understand the conditions under which the major infectious diseases in the tropics arise and how they are prevented/treated locally. To understand the conditions for biomedical research in a low income country from within and to be able to account for some of the current local research issues. To be able to discuss these issues with health care professionals and researchers from low income countries in a satisfactory way.
Contents of the course Field studies under local staff in low income country and Swedish supervision at the primary,secondary and tertiary health care level. Study visit to an In Depth Study Site and understand its layout and importance. Joint seminars (mutual presentations of research projects) at local research institute. Students will present their findings of elective projects at the end of the course.

Teaching and learning activities Bedside and benchside teachings at hospitals and polyclinics/health care centers. Seminars. Elective work with oral and written presentations. Field studies will take place in a low income country.
Compulsory elements Field studies, joint seminars at local research institute, presentation of elective projects. Absence cannot be compensated for.
Examination Formative assessment of ability to discuss the specific issues encountered with health care professionals and researchers. Presentation of elective projects to Swedish faculty. Every student will be examined individually.
Literature and other teaching material Global Health. Lindstrand, A. et al. 2010. Relevant articles distributed during seminar sessions before the field session
Number of students 8 - 9
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) date for registration as a doctoral student (priority given to earlier registration date). An active intererst in the culture and living conditions of a democratic low income country in West Africa is expected.
More information This course starts with some general lectures pertaining to Infections in the Tropics and comprising the most important vectorborne, airborne, water/food borne and bloodborne infections and the conditions favouring their spread and means available for their control. These lectures are held after office hours i.e. 1730-1900 at the Department of Infectious diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna tentatively Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 and 14. One concluding session is devoted to assign small elective projects to be done by 1-2 students during the field session in Ghana, which takes place 19/11-9/12.

The clinical assignments in Ghana will be at the district hospital in HoHoe, Volta region and the Primary Health Station and leprosy hospital in Ankaful, Cape Coast, respectively. We will also do study visits to the mental hospital and prison in Ankaful. There will be a possibility for each student to spend one evening/night in a fisherman's house in Brenu, Cape Coast, in order to better understand the role of the living conditions for the health of the local people. There will be a one day session at the Noguchi Institute for Medical research in Accra where there will be joint presentations of Ghanaian and Swedish PhD Projects in the presence of Ghanaian and Swedish Faculty and students.

During the final week back in Stockholm (week 50) the elective projects are reported and a final written/oral exam is held. The course ends latest Dec 14th, 2018.

Thus, the full time part of the course is between Nov 19- Dec 14th, 2018 (i.e. weeks 47, 48, 49 and 50) whilst the initial lectures before this takes part once a week after office hours as stated above.

International and local travel and basic hotel accommodation will be covered by course grants whilst food and expences for leisure activities (National Parks etc.) will be covered by the students. Approximate costs for the latter would be around 400 USD.
Additional course leader The Swedish faculty comprise Prof Hannah Akuffo (a Ghanaian native), docent Mattias Larsson, ICHAR and prof Sven Britton, course organizer and whom to contact for questions pertaining to the course. Email sven.britton@ki.se
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Sven Britton
Institutionen för medicin, Solna

Sven.Britton@ki.se
Contact person Sven Britton
Institutionen för medicin, Solna

Sven.Britton@ki.se


Mattias Larsson
Institutionen för global folkhälsa
0852483382
Mattias.Larsson@ki.se


Hannah Akuffo
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi

Hannah.Akuffo@ki.se