Overview
This applied course examines the systems, methods, and governance frameworks used to monitor sexually transmitted infections and investigate unusual increases in disease. Students evaluate passive, active, sentinel, syndromic, laboratory-based, case-based, and integrated surveillance approaches, with attention to reporting requirements, case definitions, data quality, timeliness, completeness, confidentiality, and responsible data use.
Outbreak investigation methods include confirmation of an outbreak, descriptive epidemiology, case finding, line-list construction, case definition development and application, interviewing, contact tracing, hypothesis generation, analytic study design, specimen and laboratory coordination, environmental and network assessment, control measures, risk communication, and after-action evaluation. Practical exercises use realistic de-identified datasets to develop epidemic curves, spot maps, stratified tables, and time-place-person analyses while identifying reporting artifacts and under-ascertainment.
The course addresses STI-specific challenges including asymptomatic infection, delayed diagnosis, reinfection, partner services, stigma, equity, and the protection of sensitive personal information. Students collaborate through simulated public health responses involving laboratories, clinics, technical agencies, and affected communities.
Learning Outcomes
- Design an STI surveillance plan aligned with defined objectives, reporting requirements, case definitions, and data governance standards.
- Evaluate surveillance data quality using measures of completeness, timeliness, validity, representativeness, and confidentiality.
- Construct and interpret epidemic curves, spot maps, stratified tables, and basic time-place-person summaries.
- Develop and apply an outbreak case definition appropriate to the available clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory evidence.
- Organize an outbreak response incorporating case finding, interviewing, contact tracing, laboratory coordination, and secure information management.
- Select appropriate descriptive and analytic epidemiological methods for investigating suspected STI transmission patterns.
- Recommend proportionate control measures that address transmission, reinfection, partner services, equity, stigma, and community impact.
- Communicate surveillance and outbreak findings accurately to technical, clinical, public health, and community audiences.
- Appraise ethical, legal, and governance considerations in the collection, linkage, analysis, and dissemination of sensitive health information.
- Synthesize investigation findings into an after-action evaluation that identifies operational improvements and future surveillance needs.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Quizzes (5 × 2%) | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Surveillance plan assignment | 20.00% |
| Test | Data analysis practical test | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Outbreak investigation report | 25.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 25.00% |
Prerequisites
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.
