Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health
Module code
2459
Module Organiser
Dr Véronique Filippi and Hannah Blencowe
Contact email
veronique.filippi@lshtm.ac.uk or hannah.blencowe@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
Maternal mortality, Perinatal mortality, Safe motherhood, Neonatal mortality,
Maternal health, Perinatal health, Neonatal health, Evidence based
interventions, Low income countries
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To explore the nature and determinants of ill-health in pregnant women and
babies, and to demonstrate the contribution of methods drawn from
epidemiology, demography and the social sciences to problem identification
and to the design and evaluation of strategies to improve the health of pregnant
women and babies in developing countries.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:




Demonstrate advanced knowledge of contemporary issues in safe
motherhood and perinatal health in developing countries;
Appraise evidence critically on what has been shown to work/not to work
in safe motherhood and perinatal health;
Propose programmatic options for dealing with maternal and perinatal
health problems in specific settings or populations in developing
countries;
Assess critically the relative merits of the different options
1
Target audience
This module is open to anyone with an interest in the public health problems of
pregnant women and babies in developing countries
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):





The public health problems facing pregnant women and babies and the
complex of factors which contribute to these problems.
Indicators of levels of maternal and perinatal health, methods of
measurement and sources of information.
Methods and techniques from different disciplines which can contribute to
the study of the Health problems of pregnant women and babies.
Current strategies for the improvement of maternal and perinatal health.
Links between the health of women and babies
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
References lists are provided for students who wish to get deeper into issues
raised during classes. Course organisers also provide free materials, such as
Lancet series, when these are available and suitable.
Teaching and learning
methods
This module starts with lectures in weeks 1 and 2, organised around broad
themes, to cover common ground. It moves to a problem-based approach in
weeks 3, 4 and 5. At the beginning of week 3, participants are offered a choice
of a problem topic to work on. Participants are then divided into groups of
about 6-7 members and spend the remainder of the module working as a group
on their particular problem. Each group is allocated a staff facilitator who is
available for consultation. During the last week of the module each group
makes a presentation of their findings to the rest of the class.
Assessment details
Participants are assessed on the basis of their group's poster presentation
during the final week of the module and of an individual mark for a short
scientific editorial for a medical journal (no more than 600 words). The
individual assessments contribute 60% and group assessments 40% of the
final mark
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to write a scientific editorial on a paper suggested by Module
Organiser.
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place or be due during the last two days of the module.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment deadline will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
2
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Monday morning and Wednesday lunchtime
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Monday 22 February 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 23 March 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot D1
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
 Contact time ≈ 40 hours
 Directed self-study ≈ 40 hours
 Self-directed learning ≈ 20 hours
 Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
There are no specific prerequisites for this module
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 35 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
3
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
 For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.
 If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, applications ahead of the MSc deadline are
strongly advised. All applications should be submitted at the latest 8 weeks
prior to the start of the module. Formal registration will take place on the
morning of the first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 11 July 2013 by Véronique Filippi; Minor amendments SDB 20th July 15
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
4