Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Public Health and Epidemiology

Content

This course aims to provide health professionals with a solid understanding and hands-on practice allowing them to use GIS in their daily work. The increasing use of open source software solutions in professional settings provides a free, yet perfectly viable alternative to commercial software. This course uses Free and Open Source Software solutions to allow course participants to bring their skills into practice without depending on commercial packages.

In both weeks guest speakers are invited to present applications of the use of GIS in disease control programmes and research projects.

First week

The first week will focus on learning basic GIS theory and functions. Emphasis will be given to develop basic software operating skills and understanding of analytical approaches to analyze spatial data.

Topics include

• Basic GIS theory and principles including spatial data formats
• Introduction to QGIS 3.x software package
• Spatial data management
• Using online data repositories and data extraction from cloud databases (e.g. DHIS2)
• Data visualization and cartographic concepts
• Using geographic coordinate reference systems
• Introduction to essential geoprocessing functions

Second week

The second week of the course will provide the opportunity to apply and extend the GIS skills that have been learned in the first week into a public health context. The course will address specific problems in the field of planning and evaluating disease control programmes and space-time analyses of health data.

Topics include:

• Spatial analysis of geographic patterns of disease: point pattern analysis and geographic cluster analysis
• Geographic access analysis: quantifying health service coverage
• Spatial Multi Criteria Risk Analysis using the MATCH approach
• Digital (spatial) data-collection using ODK software system

The course will use the following open source and freely available software packages:

• QGIS 3.x open source GIS package.
• GeoDA (optional)
• DHIS2 (vs 4.x)
• R statistical programming (optional)

Application

Admission criteria

• A degree in public health or international health: BSc, MSc or equivalent academic training
  A basic knowledge of epidemiology and principles of social research
• At least 3 years of professional experience, preferably working at a national level in low and middle income countries
• Proven proficiency in spoken and written English

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

• A one-page letter of motivation
• Copies of your diplomas and grade reports
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:

Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own, or as advanced module of the Master of Public Health (MPH)  or Master in International Health (MIH) programme.

Visa requirements

Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

European Credit

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Insurance requirements

Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students. KIT can assist with arranging insurance.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

Scholarships Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)

Unfortunately the OKP programme has ended. For 2024 there are no scholarship rounds.

• Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues
• Practice-oriented
• Exchange between disciplines
• Interactive Education
• Development of personal and professional competencies
• Network building

• Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries
• Personal tutoring
• Teaching by highly qualified specialists
• Positively reviewed by tropEd
• KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development
• Accredited by NVAO