Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

  1. Describe how behavioral sciences can be applied to understand and intervene in current public health problems.
  2. Apply theories, concepts, and models from social and behavioral sciences to identify causes of health-related behaviors and factors that impact the success of health behavior interventions.
  3. Explain how psychosocial and community theories are utilized in designing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs.
  4. Analyze how public and private institutions can create changes in public health behaviors or the environment that influences individual behavior.
  5. Demonstrate the importance of using social and behavioral science theories and data to examine public health issues and formulate interventions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Explain how behavioral sciences can inform the understanding and intervention strategies for public health problems.
  2. Apply social and behavioral science theories and models to identify factors influencing health-related behaviors at individual, organizational, and community levels.
  3. Evaluate the application of psychosocial and community theories in designing, implementing, and assessing public health programs.
  4. Discuss how public and private organizations influence changes in public health behaviors and the broader environmental context.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of social and behavioral sciences in addressing public health challenges and shaping interventions.

Detailed Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Overview of behavioral sciences and their role in public health
  • Key concepts and definitions in psychology, sociology, and anthropology
  • The intersection of social and behavioral sciences in health

Module 2: Psychological and Sociological Theories

  • Personality theories and their relevance to health behavior
  • Individual health behavior theories: Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, etc.
  • Theories of behavior change: Cognitive-behavioral approaches, Motivational Interviewing
  • Interpersonal theories: Social Cognitive Theory, Social Network Theory
  • Theories of health-seeking behavior

Module 3: Community Models and Health Behavior Change

  • Community-based health behavior change models
  • Behavioral and ecological approaches to public health

·         Psychosocial theories applied to public health interventions

·         Intervening to improve health: designing and implementing programs

  • The role of the community in health behavior intervention
  • Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health behavior
  • Theories of health promotion and community empowerment
  • Types and functions of the family

Module 4: Social and Behavioral Science Applications in Public Health

  • Behavioral interventions in health promotion and disease prevention
  • Assessing and evaluating health behavior change at multiple levels: Individual, organizational, community
  • The influence of public and private institutions on health behavior change
  • Indigenous African healing practices and their role in community health

·         Traditional healers and their medicines

·         Relationship between African traditional healing and Western medicine

  • Relationship between socio-economic factors and health outcomes
  • Cultural beliefs, traditional healers, and the societal response to illness

Module 5: Health Behavior and the Environment

  • The impact of environmental factors on health behavior
  • Exploring the interdependence of health, society, and the environment
  • How environmental changes influence public health behaviors and outcomes
  • Psychological correlates of emotions and their role in health decisions
  • Understanding death, dying, and cultural perceptions in health behaviors

Module 6: Evaluating Health Behavior Change

  • Methods for evaluating health behavior interventions
  • Evaluating the success and limitations of health behavior change programs
  • Case studies of successful and unsuccessful public health interventions

Teaching/Learning Methods

  • Lectures with interactive discussions
  • Case study analysis and role-playing exercises
  • Group projects and collaborative learning
  • Application of theoretical models to real-world public health scenarios
  • Media presentations and expert guest lectures

Modes of Assessment

  • Continuous Assessment (assignments, quizzes, group discussions): 30%
  • Mid-semester examination: 20%
  • Final examination: 50%

Reading List/References

Primary Texts

  1. Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (2015). Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice (5th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
  2. Edelman, C. L., & Mandle, C. L. (2015). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Supplementary Texts

  1. Ratcliffe, S., & Rachman, S. (2017). Introduction to Health Psychology (4th ed.). Pearson Education.
  2. Marmot, M. G., & Wilkinson, R. G. (2006). Social Determinants of Health (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Additional Resources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Social Determinants of Health. WHO Press.
  2. McLaren, L., & Hawe, P. (2014). Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health: Applications in Program Design and Implementation. Wiley-Blackwell.