Introduction

The burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including dreaded diseases, is a global problem. South Africa adopted the District Health System (DHS), which uses Primary Health Care (PHC), as a vehicle to deliver healthcare services and address the burden of disease. PHC addresses most of a person's health needs during their life-time.

However, the health sector cannot deliver healthcare services by itself. Multi-sectoral, community engagement is essential to identify and address the health needs of communities. This course seeks to equip health professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills to empower individuals, families.

Course Description

This course is about PHC in South Africa. It enables students to plan, implement, and manage community healthcare projects. It tackles the causes and effects of HIV and other infections, and how to prevent its spread. The course emphasises community involvement, advocacy and awareness campaigns, especially for addressing HIV/AIDS/TB/STIs. It covers pre- and post-testing counselling; the impact of treatment and care of HIV-positive people and their rights; creating awareness for prevention; and behaviour change in communities.

Target Audience

Lay counsellors, public health and community workers, teachers, and community leaders.

learning outcomes

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Communicate with individuals and groups to generate an understanding of HIV/AIDS/TB/STIs and other dreaded diseases.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the causes and effects of infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases, to enable individuals and communities to combat its occurrence.
Engage with individuals and groups to apply methods to improve their own and the district health status.
Facilitate and implement primary healthcare projects in communities.
Plan and implement advocacy projects and awareness campaigns.

Course Content

The key themes/topics that the course will cover:

HIV and AIDS epidemiology, pathology, spreading and prevention.
HIV pre- and post-testing.
Prevention of early mother-to-child transmission.
HIV and AIDS misconceptions and myths.
HIV and AIDS management.
HIV in vulnerable groups; the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy Charter.
Principles for effective planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns in PHC, and assistance with the planning and implementation of a PHC campaign and writing a report

ADMISSION

Any equivalent qualification on NQF 3 level with relevant practical experience (maths literacy and numeracy).

Training Delivery

The course will be delivered through blended learning and contact at the work-site.

Requirements

Students must have access to a computer and the internet.

Duration

The duration of the course is:

Theory 12 days
Work-based learning 28 days

Assessments

Assessment is formative and summative and includes tasks, group work, individual projects and assignments, and workplace experience. A portfolio of evidence must be submitted for completion.

Award

A Health Systems Trust Certificate of Completion will be given to students who complete the short course. A Health Systems Trust Certificate of Competence will be given to students who have completed all the assessments and have been certified competent. Students will obtain 32 credits towards a Further Education and Training Certificate: Public Awareness Promotion of Dread Disease and HIV/AIDS.

Fees

The course fees vary, based on the number of enrolments by an organisation for the short course. A quotation per student will be given by the Course Co-ordinator, Cassius Semaushu at Cassius.Semaushu@hst.org.za. Course fees must be paid in full prior to the course start date.