SOCS243 Authentic Assessment Task 3:
Global Health Worker Report
The Task
• Adopt the role of a global health worker for a global health organisation.
• Propose a strategy for the treatment or prevention of a global health disease based on one of
SIX scenarios listed in this assessment guide.
• Each scenario is linked to a low income country or middle income country. Within each scenario
you are presented a global health problem and your role is to propose an evidence-based
strategy or program to improve the health of a specific population group in that country.
• Part of your role is to research current best practice strategies for preventing or treating this
disease in other countries and propose a novel strategy/ program which will improve the health
of the population group you are researching.
• The proposed strategy will be based on credible evidence from academic peer reviewed sources,
recommended texts including course text book and readings, government and non-government
organisation reports of global health organisations such as World Health Organisation (WHO).
• The report can include tables, graphs, maps and images. In writing your report it is
recommended though not mandatory, to follow the report format outlined in this guide.
Word length, Sources of Evidence and Penalties
• You are required to use a minimum of EIGHT credible sources of evidence including the course
text book by Jacobsen. Note the Reference List is NOT part of word length. You will be penalized
for being 10% above or below the prescribed word length of 1,500 words (excluding references).
Required text: Jacobsen, K. H. (2018). Introduction to global health. Third edition. Sudbury, MA:
Jones and Bartlett. ISBN 9781284123890. Available hard copy at campus bookstore or as an ebook.
• Penalties are applied for not using the course text book (5% variable penalty), for submitting late
without approved extension (5% per day up to 3 days after which no mark), not using the
prescribed number of 8 credible references (5% variable), and for word matching or plagiarism
as evidenced by a high originality score (various penalties apply including zero). Please make
sure to quote in “double quote” and write in own words.
Support Materials
Assessment Module To assist in this task a dedicated module will be uploaded in the Assessment
folder. The Module will provide ‘tips’ for writing the assignment including proper use of credible
evidence.
Exemplar reports Best practice examples from previous years will be uploaded to LEO. Note these
will be based on different scenarios and will have different word length requirements.
References: A list of relevant references will be generated through the Library website and available
in Leganto.
Due date: 19/10/2020; 5pm
Weighting: 30%
Length and/or format: 1,500 words plus or minus 10%, i.e. 1350 to 1650 words) plus
Reference list.
How to submit: Turnitin
Return of assignment: Within 3 weeks of submission to LEO/Turnitin. Please submit
as a Word document.
SUGGESTED REPORT FORMAT
1. Introduction: A Background to a profile of the country you are based in, the health condition
or illness you are working to prevent or treat and the determinants of health (social, cultural
and/or environmental). Also, the type of Global Health Organisation or Agency you are
working for and a summary of the proposed strategy/ program. (approx. 300 words)
2. Prevalence of disease and Risk factors: Profile of the country and the disease/health issue:
prevalence and/or incidence and other health metrics of the health problem in the country
of interest, including tables or figures based on credible sources. The specific risk factors for
that disease or health issue among the population group you are assisting in the country
(approx. 400 words)
3. Evaluation of Strategies or Programs: An evidence-based evaluation of strategies used in
other countries or regions to deal with the disease /health issue you are researching. The
evaluation should link to your proposed strategy or program. (approx. 300 words)
4. The Strategy or Program: Presentation of an original strategy or program to effectively deal
with the health issue for the population group in the country; how to implement the
strategy in your country/population group including steps involved or components of the
strategy or program (approx. 500 words)
5. Reference List (minimum of eight references including course text)
Note: You are encouraged to include diagrams, maps, graphs and images. These are not included
as word length.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA & RUBRIC
Assessment criteria:
• Demonstrate knowledge and develop a case for a globalized strategy or initiative in
global health based on credible evidence and readings 5%
• Demonstrate knowledge of biological, social and environmental determinants of global
health 5%
• Demonstrate skills in analysis of the incidence and prevalence of global health disease
5%
• Identify risk factors for communicable or non-communicable disease 5%
• Demonstrate originality of the proposed strategy 5%
• Communicate ideas using global health concepts, terminology, and academic writing 5%
THE SCENARIOS
Scenario 1: Communicable Disease in Chad
The state of health in Chad is miserable; our country has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world
at 51, and an even lower healthy life expectancy of 44. A vast majority of our health problems can be
attributed to communicable diseases, which constitute 75% of Chad’s deaths and 77% of all DALYs.
Specifically, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections (LRIs), and HIV account for 34% of all
deaths in Chad. Young, rural, and poor children are most at risk for diarrheal diseases and LRIs, while
women and sex workers are the populations most affected by HIV. Risk factors vary greatly as many
environmental and nutritional risk factors contribute to LRIs and diarrheal diseases. In contrast, risk
factors such as having multiple partners, having unprotected sex, or having a sexually transmitted
infection increase the risk of HIV. Consequences from these communicable diseases include the health
impact on the infected individual, as well as the indirect economic and social consequences for Chad.
As a global health worker, you need to develop a strategy or program to target prevention or control of
a communicable disease in Chad. The program or strategy must accommodate the social, cultural and/or
environmental factors contributing to the spread of this disease in Chad.
Scenario 2: Tuberculosis in Indonesia
Indonesia has the third highest TB infection rate in the world.i The rate of Multi Drug
Resistant-TB is increasing and the prevalence of TB patients that test positive for HIV is substantially
higher than the national HIV infection rate.ii Very poor adults suffer disproportionally from TB due to
their urban living conditions. Malnourished children and prisoners in jails also have higher incidence
rates. The lack of health services in Indonesia, including clinics or a national HIV treatment plan,
increases the risk of TB, as people are not able to seek treatment or diagnosis. Indonesia’s poor are at
higher risk of contracting TB due to their lack of an education and poor living conditions. The disease
causes great financial loss to the Indonesian government and its society. To lower the impact of TB, a
program or strategy is proposed which takes into account social, cultural and/or environmental factors
and includes an education component.
Scenario 3: Public Health in Guyana, South America
A drop in fertility and mortality within the last fifteen years has contributed to the rapid growth of a
population older than 60.iii,iv As a result, Guyana is experiencing a shift in the burden of disease from
communicable towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs). v NCDs now account for the highest
burden of mortality and morbidity at 83% of deaths in Guyana. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the
leading cause of death in Guyana, responsible for 16.41% of deaths.vi,vii Guyanese living in poverty,
in urban centers, aged 40-69, and of Amerindian descent make up the majority of those affected by
IHD.viii Diabetes, hypertension, daily tobacco use, and being overweight or obese put Guyanese at
extreme risk for ischemic heart disease. Eighty percent of deaths from IHD are easily preventable. Aa
a global health worker, you need to develop a program or strategy/s targeted at reducing IHD in the
Guyanese population. These should be based on the underlying lifestyle factors and the social and
cultural determinants of IHD in this population group.
Scenario 4: Nutrition in Nigeria
Malnutrition is a devastating problem in Nigeria, not only to its people, but also to its security and
economy. Although the numbers have decreased in recent years, 41 percent of our children under the
age of five are still stunted, 23 percent are still underweight, and 14 percent are still wastedix, while 12
percent of mothers are clinically undernourishedx. In addition to a lack of basic protein and energy,
the immediate causes of malnutrition are a lack of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iodine, and iron.
Almost 63 percent of women are anemic and 31 percent are iodine deficient, while close to 30 percent
of under-fives are vitamin A deficient.xi Malnutrition is concentrated in the rural areas of Nigeria, as
well as the northern strip, and primarily effects poor women and children. As a global health worker
you need to investigate the underlying problems leading to such high levels of malnutrition in
particular for women and children, and to propose a program or strategy/s to improve nutrition and
which takes into account the social, cultural and/or environmental determinants of health.
Scenario 5: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Syria
Psychological trauma resulting from civil conflict is a severe and widespread health issue in Syria. An
especially disabling form of psychological trauma is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition
in which people who have experienced trauma undergo a crippling fear response even when no
threatening stimulus is present. These individuals often relive specific traumatic events from the past,
even when they are no longer in danger, resulting in severe emotional disability. It has a particularly
strong effect on refugees inside and outside of Syria, children, women, and those who have
experienced a high number of traumatic life events. As a global health worker, you need to design a
strategy or program to reduce the prevalence of PTSD in Syria. The strategy or program needs to
accommodate specific socio-economic or social, cultural or environmental factors that contribute to
PTSD in Syria.
Scenario 6: Japanese Encephalitis in Nepal
Nepal has the second highest prevalence of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in South East Asia.
One in five cases of JE results in death and those who survive frequently suffer from residual
neuropsychiatric disorders. Most cases occur in children ages 5-15 years living in rural plain areas of
the western, mid-western, and far-western regions of Nepal that border India1. Those not using
insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs), living amongst animal reservoirs of the disease and practicing
poor agricultural practices in JE-endemic areas are most at risk. No effective drug treatment for JE
exists and few are aware of the JE vaccine. JE contributes to high levels of malnutrition, lack of
education, and poverty. Despite efforts from Government and non-government organizations, JE
constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our country and remains a priority for public
health intervention. As a global health worker, you are to design a strategy or program that targets
people living in rural areas and that accounts for the social, cultural and/or environmental factors
contributing to the spread of JE in rural areas of Nepal.
SOCS243 Marking Rubric – Assignment 3– AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT TASK 30%

Indonesia
i “USAID Health: Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis, Countries, Indonesia.” U.S. Agency for International Development. May 2009. Web. 07 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/id/tuberculosis/countries/asia/indonesia_profile.html>.
ii Ibid.
Guyana
iii KNEWS. “Almost One-third of Deaths in Guyana Heart-related.” Kaieteur News. N.p., 13 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/12/13/almost-one-third-of-deaths-in-guyana-heart-related/>.
iv Lanas, Fernando, Pamela Seron, and Alejandra Lanas. “Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factors in Latin America.” Global Heart. World Heart Federation, 01 Dec. 2013.
Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalheart-journal.com%2Farticle%2FS2211-8160(13)00167-1%2Ffulltext>.
v “Guyana: Country Cooperation Strategy 2010-2015.” Pan American Health Organization (2009): 1-76. Pan American Health Organization. Word Health Organization. Web.
30 Nov. 2014.
vi Lanas, Fernando, Pamela Seron, and Alejandra Lanas. “Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factors in Latin America.” Global Heart. World Heart Federation, 01 Dec. 2013.
Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalheart-journal.com%2Farticle%2FS2211-8160(13)00167-1%2Ffulltext>.
vii “Guyana.” Guyana. Pan American Health Organization; World Health Organization; Health in the Americas, 03 May 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.paho.org/saludenlasamericas/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=59&lang=en>.
viii Lanas, Fernando, Pamela Seron, and Alejandra Lanas. “Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factors in Latin America.” Global Heart. World Heart Federation, 01 Dec. 2013.
Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalheart-journal.com%2Farticle%2FS2211-8160(13)00167-1%2Ffulltext>.
Nigeria
ix National Population Commission [Nigeria] and ORC Macro. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Preliminary Report. 2008. Calverton, Maryland: National Population
Commission and ORC Macro; 2004.
x Maziya-Dixon, B. Nigeria Food Consumption and Nutrition Survey 2001-2003: Summary. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 2004.
xi Nigeria: Country Profile. Micronutrient Initiative. Abuja, Nigeria. http://www.micronutrient.org/english/view.asp?x=596
Myanmar
1. Maternal Mortality Remains a Threat to Myanmar Mums. United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. January 8, 2014. Retrieved November 2014:
http://www.unric.org/en/latest-un-buzz/28957-maternal-mortality-remains-a-threat-to-myanmar-mums
2. Givin, S; Krause, S; Matthews, J. (2006) Thai-Burma Border Reproductive Health Assessment. Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children.