Skip to main content
Unit outline_

SEXH5405: Contraception and Preconception Care

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit of study aims to provide students with an understanding of fertility control across the reproductive lifespan. This will include indepth information on the range of hormonal and non-hormonal reversible contraceptive methods, emergency contraception and permanent methods of contraception. The impact of age, culture, tradition, society, personal beliefs, disability and health on contraceptive choices and reproductive health will be explored. The consequences of unintended pregnancy and the importance of access to abortion will be discussed. The unit is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills in the field of preconception care and will discuss the latest evidence regarding optimisation of health before pregnancy. The focus will be on conditions where preconception care is particularly beneficial such as diabetesand obesity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sexual Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kirsten Black, kirsten.black@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jessica Lowe, jessica.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Edwina Dorney, edwina.dorney@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay
50% Formal exam period 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Online task Online discussions
Online discussions
10% Ongoing 200 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group case study presentation
Online oral presentation
20% Week 11 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small test Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ)
Online quiz
20% Week 13 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please note, for this unit of study (SEXH5405) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for 10 calendar days only. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit of study Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 02 Contraceptive choices throughout life Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 03 Contraception considerations in adolescence Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 04 Non-hormonal contraceptive options Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 05 Hormonal contraceptive options, including emergency contraception Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 06 Improving access to LARC part 1: the contraceptive implant Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 07 Improving access to LARC part 2: the IUD Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 08 Contraception review Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 09 Preconception care 1 Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 10 Preconception care 2 Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 11 Online intensive workshop (3 days) Online class (17 hr)  
Week 12 Revision and preparation for assessments Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 13 Revision and preparation for assessments Independent study (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at the online intensive sessions is compulsory for all students. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

This unit of study has the following textbooks:

Recommended textbooks

Contraception today. Guillebaud, John, author. 2020

Available online via the University of Sydney Library here.

Preconception Health and Care: A Life Course Approach. Shawe, Jill; Steegers, Eric A.P; Verbiest, Sarah.

Available online via the University of Sydney Library here.

For information on clinical consultation refer to:

Handbook of contraception and sexual health. Everett, Suzanne, author. 2014

Available online via the University of Sydney Library here.

All other readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. discuss the available options for controlling fertility, including hormonal and non-hormonal reversible contraceptive methods, emergency contraception and permanent methods of contraception
  • LO2. understand the reproductive health needs of women from adolescence through to menopause
  • LO3. understand the consequences of unintended pregnancy and describe the options available to women
  • LO4. discuss the impact of unsafe abortion in an international context
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the impact of age, culture, tradition, society, personal beliefs, disability and health on contraceptive choices
  • LO6. understand the key principles and components of preconception care
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of how to improve service delivery of preconception care.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

UoS coordinator considered feedback and made appropriate changes/improvements

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.