Course dates: 20 June - 1 July 2022 (part-time)
This short course is developed and delivered in collaboration with University of Ghana School of Public Health (UGSPH). Approximately 73 million induced abortions occur worldwide each year. 29% of all pregnancies are estimated to end in induced abortion, and nearly half of them are unsafe. A significant proportion of abortions take place in low- and middle-income countries.
This online course will introduce the knowledge and tools necessary to strengthen health sector policies and programmes for safe abortion care in low- and middle-income settings.
This course will run only in 2022. The new online MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and Programming will have a full module on safe abortion policy and programming.
Who is the course for?
This course will be of value to healthcare professionals and practitioners in sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, including policy advisors, service providers, implementation sciences researchers, programme managers and technical advisors looking to further their knowledge specific to safe abortion policy and programming.
There are no formal prerequisites for this course, however participants should have a good command of English and some relevant work experience, for example in the health care sector and/or in the field of sexual and reproductive health.
Teaching methods
This is a two-week part-time short course which consists of 25 hours of learning each week. This includes up to 5 hours of synchronous (live) sessions and twenty hours of asynchronous (independent) activities. Teaching methods may include pre-recorded lectures, group discussions, seminars, student presentations, and interactive computer sessions. You are expected to have access to a computer or device with a reliable internet connection.
Course fees
- £1,000 full fee
- £500 for LMICs (eligible countries)
A number of fee waivers will be available to applicants who are nationals of, and currently based in, a sub-Saharan African country.
Course content
The course is expected to introduce the following topics:
- Historical, socio-political, legal and cultural contexts of abortion
- Global and regional policies on safe abortion care, including in settings where abortion is restricted
- Programming for evidence-based comprehensive abortion care
- Roles of key stakeholders in influencing how policies and programmes for safe abortion care are developed and implemented
Aims & objectives
This short course aims to introduce the knowledge and tools necessary to strengthen health sector policies and programmes for safe abortion care in low- and middle-income settings.
The course intended learning outcomes are:
- Discuss how abortion care policies impact access to safe abortion care
- Critically appraise programmatic strategies for safe abortion care
- Identify and explain the roles of key stakeholders and decision-makers involved in abortion policy and programming
Assessments
There will be no formal examination or assessment. A Certificate of Attendance will be issued.
Tuition fee waivers
A number of full tuition fee waivers are available.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold an offer of admission for the short course
- Applicants must be both a national AND resident of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa*
How to apply
Applicants should submit a statement of no more than 250 words to shortcourses@lshtm.ac.uk clearly stating how this award will impact their career and improvement in SRH in their setting. Please state ‘Short Course on Safe Abortion Policy and Programming’ in the subject line. Early applications are recommended.
*Sub-Saharan Africa, as defined by the World Bank, includes the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Applications for 2022 are now closed.
This short course will run only in 2022. The new online MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and Programming will have a full module on safe abortion policy and programming.