What is public health, and how can studying this course in universities impact any Nigerian students who choose the path of studying? They can benefit from this new trending health course.
Public Health as we know it is a new course that is newly introduced as part of the health course in the Nigerian tertiary institution. It has not been a decade since this course was introduced to most Nigerian universities, and it was included as a health course.
Nigeria has the highest population in Africa, and it is ranked in the top 10 among the countries in the world, and this brings an indication that the issue of public health should be taken seriously if the nation is to avert any public health crisis in the future.
Public health is very essential to Nigeria currently, as the more personnel in the public health sector, the less the exposure to disease, the better the disease education, the better the health education and sanitation, and the faster the response to disease outbreaks.
Interested in a public health course? As a Nigerian student or even a foreign-based student, get to understand what the public health course covers, the benefits, how it can impact your career, and also the educational qualifications needed to study this course and the best university to study the course in Nigeria.
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Duration and Level of Study
Public health course duration across Nigerian universities spans a period of five years at most; within this duration, the students are introduced to the introductory aspect of the course from 100 level to 200 level before being introduced to the specialized aspect of the course.
The level of study of public health courses in Nigeria is so clear; it is quite evident and clear that only universities are the only tertiary institutions in Nigeria that are allowed to offer public health courses, and that is mainly because of accreditation, facilities, and mostly because of international recognition.
Core Subjects and Topics Covered in Public Health Course
As in most courses, especially health courses, there are always major core subjects and topics that are usually covered, and this is not an exemption to the public health course. Also, these are the core subjects and topics that are covered in the public health course:
I. Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the scientific study of disease. It is part of public health that seeks to understand how disease spreads, its pattern, and how this disease can be stopped through extensive research and proper understanding of the disease.Epidemiology is the heart of the publicdisease. health course.
II. Environmental and Community Health
Environmental and community health is mostly referred to as environmental health in public health. Environmental health is the study of the link between the available resources, like water, food, and surroundings, and the well-being of society, aiming to prevent disease outbreaks that arise because of the interaction with the environment.
III. Health Policy and Planning
A core subject in the public health course is health policy and planning, which is essential to the community in distributing health resources with the aim of proper distribution across the population without exemption.
IV. Nutrition and Maternal Health
Nutrition and Maternal Health in the public health course covers the aspect regarding the nutrition that is essential to the baby and pregnant women during the pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
Best Universities to Study Public Health Courses in Nigeria
Best Federal Universities To Study Public Health
● University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is ranked the number one federal university to study public health courses in Nigeria.
The University of Ibadan was established in 1948, and it is located in the ancient city of Ibadan. The university is renowned, and it is best known as the number one university across Nigeria.
The University of Ibadan offers a public health course under its faculty of public health and college of medicine, and their public health course covers aspects like epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, and health systems.
● Ahmadu Bello University
Ahmadu Bello University is a federal university that is located in Zaria, Kaduna State; it was established in 1962.
Ahmadu Bello University offers a public health course as part of its course in the institution under the department of public health and preventive medicine.
● University of Lagos (UNILAG)
The University of Lagos is a federal university that is located in Lagos State. It was established in 1962, and it is regarded as one of the top 5 federal universities in Nigeria.
The University of Lagos offers public health as part of its course in the institution under its faculty of clinical sciences, department of community health and primary health care.
● Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University is a federal university that is located in Ile-Ife, Osun State. It was established in 1961, and it is one of the best universities in Nigeria after the University of Ibadan.
Obafemi Awolow University offers a public health course under its Institute of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, in the institution.
Obafemi Awolowo University’s Institute of Public Health is one of a kind across Nigeria, providing seminars and also transportation for research and outreach.
Best State Universities That Offer Public health course
● Lagos State University
Lagos State University is a state-owned university located in Lagos. It was established in 1983, and it is the number one best state university in Nigeria.
Lagos State University offers a public health course under its Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care Institution.
● Delta State University
Delta State University is a state-owned university that is located in Delta State; it was established in 1992.
Delta State University offers a public health course as part of its medicine courses under the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Science.
Delta State University focuses on core public health course subjects like epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion,maternal and child health and environmental health.
● Ebonyi State University
Ebonyi State University is a state university that is located in Isieke, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Ebonyi State University was established in 1999.
Ebonyi State University offers a public health course as part of its course in the institution under its Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences.
Ebonyi State University’s public health course covers health promotion and education, epidemiology, and others.
Best Private Universities that offer Public health course
● Babcock University
Babcock University is a private university that is located in Remo, Ogun State. The university was established in 1959.
Babcock University is ranked among the best private universities in Nigeria. The university offers public health as part of its program in the institution under its department of public health.
Babcock University’s public health course covers core subjects and areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental policy, and disease prevention.
● Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University is a private university located in Ekiti State. It was established in 2009, and it is owned by the renowned Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola.
Afe Babalola University is one of the best private universities across Nigeria, and it is known for its strong stance on engineering courses while also doing exceptionally well in offering other courses.
Afe Babalola University offers a public health course under its department of public health. Public health course curriculum at Afe Babalola University covers epidemiology,
environmental health, health management, and community health.
● Madonna University
Madonna University is a private university that is situated across three locations in Nigerian states; the university was established in 1999.
Madonna University offers public health as part of its core courses under its Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science.
Admission requirements for the public health course
● An applicant for a public health course in any Nigerian university must possess at least five credit passes in English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics at NECO, WAEC, or GCE in not more than two sittings.
● At least 200 JAMB score because of the competitive nature of the course
● An applicant who wants to apply for admission into a public health course through direct entry should check the particular institution of its choice for requirements.
Career Opportunities for Public Health Graduates
● Health Educator
● Public Health Educator
● School Counselor
● Food Inspector
● Nutritionist/Dietitian
● Social work
● Physician
● Public Health Nurse
● Rehabilitation Counselor
● Epidemiologist/Medical Detectives
● Pollution Control Technician
● Wastewater Treatment Operator
● Medical Record Officer
● Dental Hygienist
● Health and Safety Educator
● Beauty Educator
Conclusion
Public health courses in Nigeria are worth the effort that you will use in studying the course, as the course can open doors to opportunities within Nigeria and outside the country.
When it is essential that salary ranges are very .important, especially with the rising cost of living in Nigeria, choosing a specialization is to be based on many variables and choices that you can handle yourself.
A.O. S is a Graduate of Economics from Adekunle Ajasin University,he has been in the blogging space for 4 years and his major aim is helping Nigerian students understand the Education system at all level