Overview
This foundational course introduces the principles and practice of sexually transmitted infection epidemiology. Students examine the global burden, transmission, natural history, and public health significance of major bacterial, viral, and parasitic sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis B.
The course develops competence in descriptive and analytic epidemiology, including person-place-time analysis, incidence, prevalence, rates, risk, measures of association, surveillance, and interpretation of public health data. Students evaluate behavioral, biological, social, and structural determinants of sexual health; distinguish population-level prevention from individual clinical care; and assess primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies.
Ethics, confidentiality, consent, cultural humility, respectful communication, health disparities, and stigma reduction are integrated throughout the course. Students learn to assess credible public health evidence and communicate epidemiologic findings accurately to professional and community audiences.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe patterns of transmission, natural history, and population burden for major sexually transmitted infections.
- Calculate and interpret basic epidemiologic measures, including incidence, prevalence, risk, rates, and measures of association.
- Analyze STI data using person-place-time frameworks and foundational descriptive epidemiologic methods.
- Identify behavioral, biological, social, and structural determinants that influence sexual health and STI disparities.
- Evaluate surveillance systems and credible public health evidence relevant to STI prevention and control.
- Explain how epidemiologic findings guide primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention policy and practice.
- Distinguish population-level epidemiologic strategies from individual clinical assessment and care.
- Communicate STI epidemiology accurately, respectfully, and without stigmatizing language while applying principles of confidentiality, consent, and cultural humility.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Weekly epidemiology quizzes (6 × 5%) | 30.00% |
| Assignment | STI surveillance data analysis | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Evidence appraisal and communication brief | 20.00% |
| Test | Practical epidemiology test | 15.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 15.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 6 NCEA Level 2 Biology credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
