Health Sociology

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. explain major social issues related to population and individual health; 2. demonstrate sound understanding of concept of sociology and illness; 3. explain health issues from sociological perspective; 4. evaluate concept of health from different sociological approaches; 5. explain health inequalities and their consequences; 6. demonstrate knowledge of ethnic inequalities, gender inequalities and social inequalities of health; and 7. discuss the modalities of care of the elderly and orphanage.

This course reviews social determinants of health. How education status, social status and economic status affects health. Sociological perspective of health. The functionalist approach, the conflict approach, and the interactionist approach. The social issues in health with reference to the services offered such as social welfare services, care of the motherless babies, care, and rehabilitation of the handicapped, care of the elderly and the care of destitute/beggars are discussed. Inequality and social class in relation to health. Ethnicity. gender and health. Health equity and social stigmatisation are taught.