How Many Years to Study Public Health in Nigeria- Public health is an interdisciplinary study area that is mainly focused on health care practices in local, regional, national, and in the global environments.
This content discusses all you need to know about public health degree in Nigeria, the study duration and how you can possibly get into a university in Nigeria to study public health.
What are the Courses Offered for Public Health in the Nigerian Institutions
Public health is mainly focused on the community health, so their course range are very broad and the ones that are available in Nigeria includes the following courses:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH
This is a public health study area that focus On the health conditions of people and also animals in a specific environment.
2. PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
This program is very prominent in Nigeria as there are a series of centres in the country to give first hand treatment in the local scene.
3. COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION
This course typically requires the in-depth exercising of health services to communities and also creating awareness on health.
4. DRUG EDUCATION
This course is based on the management of drugs and educating on use in the local region.
5. NURSING
This is the area of nursing that sees to caring for patients and also providing assistance to medical personnel in managing public health.
6. FAMILY HEALTH
As a study area on health, it majors on the safety of family. The task encompasses the role of doctor, nurses and other medical practitioners who take charge to settle family health issues.
7. EPIDEMIOLOGY
This is an area of public health which deals with the scientific study of the spread and control of diseases.
8. MEDICAL DEMOGRAPHY
This area deals with the study of the change in number of births, deaths, diseases, in a community over a set period of time.
9. HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
This course’s objective is aimed at addressing the issues of nutrition and lack of basic food. It also deals with the scientific study of diet and healthy eating of the public environment.
10. BIOSTATISTICS
Biostatistics is the numerical study which involves collecting and analyzing the information regarding the entire health of the public community or region.
Some Other Public health courses in Nigeria are:
Occupational Health
Child and Adolescent Health
Emotional Health
Mental Health
Health Economics
Dental Health
Health Management and Informatics
Public health Technology
International Public Health
Disease Control & Surveillance
Health Management and Education
Tropical Public Health
Health Policy & Management
Health Services Administration
Population and Reproductive Health Education
Health Promotion and Education
How Many Years to Study Public Health in Nigeria?
For undergraduates; It is a four (4) year programme for award of the Bachelor of Science degree. While for Postgraduate options, the course is offered as a one-year full-time intensive course (Master of Public Health), or it might be offered as a two-year full- time course which covers applied practice.
- Bachelor’s Degree Studies : A Bachelor’s degree in the field of Public Health typically takes 4 to 5 years to complete in Nigeria, depending on the institution.
- Master’s Degree Studies : A Master’s degree in Public Health usuallybtakes one to two years to complete in Nigeria, this is also hugely dependent on the institution and mode of study.
- Doctoral Degree Studies : A Doctoral degree in Public Health, which maybe a PhD or DrPH, can take three (3) years or up to five years or even more to complete in a Nigerian institution,The year also depends on the institution and the chosen research topic.
Course Entry and Admission Requirements for BSc in Public Health in Nigeria
- For some institutions, Admissions are available for 200 Level only
- They mostly require minimum of 5 credits in O’ levels.
- The necessary courses required in O’levels are Mathematics, English Language, Biology or Health Science and Chemistry (They are the core subjects)
- NCE subjects with not less than Grade B in any of the following ; Physical/Health Education, Science Education, Nutrition , Home Economics
- Higher National Diploma (with an Upper Credit) in these certificates; Community Health Office Training Certificate (CHO), Health Superintendent, Environmental Health Officer And any similar health discipline may be eligible for admission to direct entry Medical Laboratory Sciences and Registered Nurse (RN)
Some of the best Universities to apply into in Nigeria for public health include:
- University of Ibadan
- University of Lagos
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- University of Ilorin
- Bayero University Kano
- University of Port Harcourt
- University of Benin
- University of Jos
What are the Career Opportunities Open TO Public Health Scientists?
As mentioned earlier, public health is an interdisciplinary study area that is mainly focused on health care practices in local, regional, national, and in the global environments. There are countless career opportunities for graduate public health scientists in Nigeria. These includes but it is not limited to the below careers:
Health Informatics Specialist
Healthcare Administrator
Public Health Nurse
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Health Administrators/Managers
Program Directors
Epidemiologist
Public Health Statisticians
Environmental Health Educators
Sanitary officers
Healthcare Administrator
Public Health Project Manager
Health and Safety Engineer
Public Health Educator
Healthcare Consultant
Consumer Safety Officer
Behavioral Health Program
Health and Wellness Manager
Environmental Health Technician
Community Health Worker
Reproductive Health Specialist
Medical Investigator
Public Health Journalist
Tropical Disease Expert
Medical Director
Management Policy Advisor
Public Health Veterinarian
Public Health Lawyer
Bio-statisticians
Environmental Health Emergency Response Expert
Nurse Educator
Academic Policy Advisor
Health Communication Specialist
Disease Ecologist
Health Promotions Program Coordinator
Nutritionist
Public Health Information Officer
Medical Writer
Public Health Consultant
Director Of Family Health
Public Health Engineer
Health Center Administrator
Industrial Hygienist
Federal Or State Environmentalist
Mental Health Researcher
Vaccine Researcher
Behavioral Health Program Coordinator
Health And Wellness Manager
Environmental Health Technician
Health Teacher
Community Health Worker
Reproductive Health Specialist
Medical Investigator
Conclusion
A career in public health is basically about working to save life and it deals with the maintenance of good health in the immediate environment and the area to global scene when diversified. For undergraduates this is a four (4) year programme for award of the Bachelor of Science degree. While for Postgraduate options, the course is offered as a one-year full-time intensive course (Master of Public Health), or it might be offered as a two-year full- time course which covers applied practice. The courses and the prerequisites to study them have been carefully outlined in this article and the duration of study for each degree level student, complementing with the career growth on public health discipline on a general note.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I study public health in Nigeria
Public Health Programme is to meet the University admission requirements as follows: having At least five (5) credit passes at not more than double sittings at the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE/NECO/GCE/NABTEB) examinations in the following subjects: English Language. Mathematics.
is public health a good course to study in Nigeria?
Public health is one of the broadest career path and it is a dynamic top paying professions in the medical sector of Nigeria. Government agencies, non-governmental organisations and various developing partners are involved in different public health activities.
is public health in high demand in Nigeria?
Yes!
The present demand for public health workers is high in this region. Finishing a public health course would only increase your chances of securing a job in Nigeria
What are the most common public health issues in Nigeria?
Neonatal disorders.
Malaria.
Diarrheal diseases.
Lower respiratory infection.
HIV/AIDS.
Ischemic heart disease.
Stroke.
Congenital defects.
How long is Masters in public health in Nigeria?
The minimum duration of study for students in the Regular Semester module of the MPH degree is 4 semesters of 24 months
Reference
- Studyinnaija.com – Bachelor of Science in Public Health at National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
- Nigeriainfopedia.com – List of Public Health Courses in Nigeria & Requirements (2023)
- Nigerianfinder.com – Public Health Courses in Nigeria & Requirements
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