Abstract
Background: Affordable, online public health education could assist health and development in low and middle-income countries. The Peoples-uni (www.Peoples-uni.org ) aims to provide this through a fully accredited, low cost, online Masters in Public Health. Although literature exists relating to online learners in general, we lack research regarding the characteristics of successful learners in this new student group. This study assessed which readily available information on learners could predict success in course modules.
 
 Methods: A descriptive survey method was used to assess correlations between pass rates with studentsâ?? personal characteristics (gender, nationality etc) and indicators of course engagement (discussion contributions, online profile etc). We sampled all students starting modules between September 2009 and March 2010 (n=218).
 
 Results: All indicators of engagement correlated strongly with pass rates, particularly online presence (photo/personal information on profile). Paying for modules correlated with higher pass rates than not. Interestingly, waiving fees correlated with lower pass rates than those who had not paid. Personal characteristics were not related to pass rates. 
 
 Conclusion: Engagement is important for success, and indicators of which can predict pass rates, the personal characteristics investigated were not related to success. Further research is required to understand the nature of associations this study highlights.
Highlights
A dire shortage of public health capacity plagues many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)
Whilst the chronic shortage of health workers is often cited as the main barrier, the other critical issue is the lack of public health skills and knowledge in the existing workforce [1]
Over half the students came from lower middle income countries with a combined total of 91% from LMICs
Summary
A dire shortage of public health capacity plagues many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Whilst the chronic shortage of health workers is often cited as the main barrier, the other critical issue is the lack of public health skills and knowledge in the existing workforce [1]. Central to developing this pubic health capacity is the need for further education for health workers in these countries. For many health workers in these countries, there are numerous barriers that limit their ability to undertake continuing professional development These include the direct and indirect costs of undertaking such education, time and access issues [2]. The need to identify ways of enabling these health workers to access further education is a priority
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
