Introduction to Medical Sociology

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. enumerate human beings’ make-up and physiological needs; 2. describe human culture within his/her environment; 3. explain components of the environment, physical, biological, socio-cultural; 4. differentiate between natural and man-made environment; 5. discuss behavioral and non-behavioral factors contributing to health and disease; 6. explain models and classification of health behaviour; 7. discuss community power structure and communication processes and their implication for the success or failure of health programme intervention; 8. explain family structures and patterns, marriage and family institutions; and 9. list functions of the families. 53

Description of Human beings’ make-up and physiological needs. Human culture within his/her environment. Components of the environment, physical, biological, socio-cultural. Distinction between natural and man-made environment. Human organisations and Systems. Behavioral and non-behavioral factors contributing to health and disease. Models and classification of health behaviour. Community power structure and communication processes and their implication for the success or failure of health programme intervention. Family structures and patterns, marriage and family institutions. Functions of the families.