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Unit of study_

SEXH5414: Public Health: Sexual and Reproductive Health

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit of study is a combination of three (3), two (2) credit point units (SEXH5008, SEXH5418 and SEXH5419) and deals with public health aspects of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV. This unit addresses sexuality, sex education, HIV/AIDS and STIs, unintended pregnancies, access to SRH services, maternal mortality, sexual violence, sexual and reproductive rights and discrimination/stigmatisation of vulnerable populations. Aspects of HIV/STIs and reproductive health will be discussed in the context of the UN's Sustainable Development Goalas (SDGs) focusing on SDG 3 on health and SDG 5 on gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment. The unit further explores the epidemiological, societal and population aspects of SRH, STIs and HIV. Surveillance strategies, policy development and legislative responses will be discussed, with regards to the potential public health consequences. Emphasis will be placed on the delivery of effective prevention and management strategies.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SEXH5414
Academic unit Sexual Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
SEXH5008 or SEXH5418 or SEXH5419
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Iryna Zablotska-Manos, iryna.zablotska@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online discussions
Online discussion
10% Multiple weeks 250 words per post
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Multiple Choice Quizzes (MCQs)
MCQs
20% Multiple weeks 30 minutes (x3)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Written Assignments
Essays
70% Multiple weeks 1500 words (x3)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Assessment summary

You must attempt each assessment task in order to be graded for this unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please note, for this unit of study (SEXH5414) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for 10 calendar days only. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Adolescence and sexual education (SEXH5008). Introduction to global women’s health (SEXH5418). Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 02 Sexual health and populations (SEXH5008). HIV, STIs and reproductive health (SEXH5418) Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 03 Sexual behaviour (SEXH5008). Unintended pregnancy and contraception access (SEXH5418) Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 04 Gender (SEXH5008). Sexual violence. Cervical screening, HPV and the vaccine (SEXH5418) Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 05 Sex, society and the law and sexual assault (SEXH5008). Sexual and reproductive health rights. Disability and sexual and reproductive health (SEXH5418) Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 06 Media and sexuality (SEXH5008). Public health aspects of fertility. Access to sexual and reproductive health services (SEXH5418) Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 07 Background on STIs, HIV and AIDS (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 08 Epidemiology of STIs, HIV and AIDS (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 09 Public health surveillance of HIV and STIs. HIV testing and screening approaches. (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 10 Modern HIV and STI prevention technologies. Public and criminal law with respect to HIV (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 11 Key and vulnerable populations (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 12 Vaccination for STIs. HIV-STI prevention goals, policy and programming, globally and in Australia (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  
Week 13 The role of advocacy and community mobilisation in HIV prevention. Global strategies for HIV and STI control (SEXH5419) Independent study (5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Normal day students: compulsory attendance at 2-4 hours of online lectures per week

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the societal and cultural determinants of an individual’s experience of their sexuality
  • LO2. discuss in depth the observed changes in sexual behaviour over time in the New South Wales context and comment on the public health impact of such changes
  • LO3. analyse the impact of factors, such as the media, education, policy and law, on outcomes such as the sexual development of children and adolescents, the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex individuals or victims of sexual assault
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the terminology and indicators used to measure outcomes in global women’s health
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the strategies used to define and design an intervention to improve reproductive health
  • LO6. appraise current public health interventions in reproductive health with a focus on the sustainable development goals framework
  • LO7. understand the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus in Australia and overseas and appreciate how their incidence and prevalence differs across population groups, time and location
  • LO8. understand the historical and contemporary impact of sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus on both individuals and the community nationally and abroad
  • LO9. describe key and vulnerable populations, as well as the legal, social and cultural barriers to service provision amongst these populations
  • LO10. explore the history and current state of public health strategies for prevention of sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus nationally and abroad
  • LO11. discuss the legal issues facing people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome including issues around discrimination, disclosure of human immunodeficiency virus status and immigration.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

For more information on the individual units (SEXH5008, SEXH5418 and SEXH5419) please go to the university's find a unit outline page (link available below)

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.