Courses with Gaps

Introductory chemistry of amino acids, their properties, reactions and biological functions. Classification of amino acids: neutral, basic and acidic; polar and non-polar; essential and non- essential amino acids. Peptides. Introductory chemistry and classification of proteins. Biological functions of proteins. Methods of their isolation, purification and identification. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins. Basic principles of tests for proteins and amino acids. Introductory chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Nomenclature of nucleosides and nucleotides, effects of acid and alkali on hydrolysis of nucleic acids.

The cell theory. Structures and functions of major cell components. Cell types, constancy and diversity. Cell organelles of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Chemical composition of cells. Centrifugation and methods of cell fractionation. Structure, function and fractionation of extra- cellular organelles. Water, total body water and its distribution. Regulation of water and electrolyte balance. Disorder of water and electrolyte balance. Acidity and alkalinity, pH and pK values and their effects on cellular activities.

Human growth and development from conception through childhood and adolescence to old age. Erikson’s developmental tasks for different stages of life. Theories of Learning. Psychology of Learning and the nurse. The nature and structure of intelligence. Individual differences. Environment and behaviour. Determinants of human health behaviour. Attitudes. Psychological influence on health and illness. Care and coping strategies in illness situations especially for children, adolescents and the elderly.

Concepts and definition of terms in epidemiology. Purpose of epidemiology. Relationship in epidemiological triad. Epidemiological models and application. Epidemiological study designs and types. Application of epidemiology to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Measuring and interpreting patterns of disease occurrence. Routine sources of data. Communicable diseases (such as diseases of contact and droplets, water and food related,diseases spread by insects and other animals and many others) and their management. Non communicable diseases. HIV and sexually transmitted infections/diseases. Use of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) Framework. -

Macro and micro economic factors that influence health, illness and health care delivery system. Concept of health economics. Factors that affect demand and supply of health care services. Macroeconomic indices that influence the economy and health. The costing of health and nursing services. Availability and distribution. Cost recovery of services. Healthcare financing and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Role of nurses in the National Health Insurance Scheme.