Outcome and impact of Master of Public Health programs across six countries: education for change
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RESEARCH
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Outcome and impact of Master of Public Health programs across six countries: education for change Prisca AC Zwanikken1*, Nguyen Thanh Huong2, Xiao Hua Ying3, Lucy Alexander4, Marwa SE Abuzaid Wadidi5, Laura Magaña-Valladares6, Maria Cecilia Gonzalez-Robledo7, Xu Qian3, Nguyen Nhat Linh2, Hanan Tahir8, Jimmie Leppink9 and Albert Scherpbier9
Abstract Background: The human resources for health crisis has highlighted the need for high-level public health education to add specific capacities to the workforce. Recently, it was questioned whether Master of Public Health (MPH) training prepared graduates with competencies relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to examine the influence of the MPH programs geared towards LMICs offered in Vietnam, China, South Africa, Mexico, Sudan, and the Netherlands on graduates’ careers, application of acquired competencies, performance at the workplace, and their professional contribution to society. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to graduates from six MPH programs. Frequency distributions of the answers were calculated, and a bivariate analysis and logistic regression of certain variables was performed. Results: The response rate was 37.5%. Graduates reported change in leadership (69%), in technical position (69%), acquiring new responsibilities (80%), and increased remuneration (63%); they asserted that MPH programs contributed significantly to this. Graduates’ attribution of their application of 7 key competencies ‘substantially to the MPH program’ ranged from 33% to 48%. Of the 26 impact variables, graduates attributed the effect they had on their workplace substantially to the MPH program; the highest rated variable ranged from 31% to 73% and the lowest ranged from 9% to 43%. Of the 10 impact variables on society, graduates attributed the effect they had on society substantially to the MPH program; for the highest rated variable (13% to 71%); for the lowest rated variable (4% to 42%). Candidates’ attribution of their application of acquired competencies as well as their impact at the workplace varied significantly according to institution of study and educational background. Conclusions: This study concludes that these MPH programs contribute to improving graduates’ careers and to building leadership in public health. The MPH programs contribute to graduates’ application of competencies. MPH programs contribute substantially towards impact variables on the workplace, such as development of research proposals and reporting on population health needs, and less substantially to their impact on society, such as contributing equitable access to quality services. Differences reported between MPH programs merit further study. The results can be used for curriculum reform. Keywords: Evaluation, Graduate, Impact, Low- and middle-income countries, Master of Public Health, Outcome
* Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Royal Tropical Institute, PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, The Netherlands Full list of author infor
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