PRACTICUM COMPETENCY MATRIX

Competency-based Products for MPH Practicum e-Folio: Sophia Raquel Garza

Specific products in e- Competency: MPH Foundational (MPH) or Community Health
Folio that demonstrate
application or practice
Science (CHSC) Competency
Complete a scoping MPH: Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect
review analyzing communities’ health.
violence perpetuated MPH: Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities
against marginalized and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health
communities in equity at organizational, community and societal levels
Brazil and programs MPH: Compare the organization, structure and function of health
designed to address care, public health and regulatory systems across national and
violence. international settings.
CHSC: Describe factors that influence the process by which people
learn
CHSC: Describe factors that enhance or impede the process of health
promotion.
Implement at least MPH: Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design
two sexual health or implementation of public health policies or programs.
presentations in MPH: Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both
Brazilian faith-based in writing and through oral presentation.
communities MPH: Design a population-based project or intervention
MPH: Select communication strategies for different audiences.
MPH: Describe the importance of cultural competency in
communicating public health content.
CHSC: Integrate implementation methods into a health education or
promotion plan.
Sophia Raquel Garza
MPH Community Health Sci.
Baylor University

Explanation of Competency Matrix/Products Produced

Throughout this practicum experience, I was involved in completing specific products
that included a scoping review that mapped the current gender-based violence interventions in
Brazil and sexual health presentations that covered reproductive health, pregnancy, and sexually
transmitted diseases. These products were important to the overall context of the Baylor in Brazil
mission in that they provided access and support to the community and the adolescents within
the community.
Because violence perpetuated against marginalized people is of growing concern in
Brazil, I completed a scoping review that assessed and examined the current literature published
on gender-based and interpersonal violence interventions targeted towards women, minors, and
the LGBTQIA+ community. This scoping review was relevant to my practicum experience in
that it provided the needed background to create relevant teaching materials for targeted
community members. Additionally, this scoping review was vital in determining the overall
capacity of communities to address gender-based and interpersonal violence, as well as the
potential receptiveness of our targeted communities.
I presented sexual health presentations to school- and church-based adolescents ranging
from 11-17 years of age. The topics presented ranged from sexual anatomy and general sexual
wellbeing to sexually transmitted diseases. Students were educated on basic sexual anatomy of
both males and females. This education included the basic units of reproduction, fertilization,
sperm production, the menstrual cycle, and reproduction. Additionally, student were educated on
the importance of using birth control methods such as abstinence, condoms, and hormonal pills
to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Information was tailored to reach a
wide audience and reading level was between a 5th and 6th grade reading level. All possibly
foreign vocabulary was defined further to ensure comprehension.
The competencies identified are relevant to the products of my practicum by providing
guidance on the purpose of the products and accountability. Additionally, these competencies,
such as cultural competency and communication, provided a basis for my development as a
public health professional. Additionally, using the guidance of these competencies allowed me to
create products that were both effective and accessible to the communities we worked with.
These competencies and products are relevant and important for my future career plans
because I believe that they prepared me for my time after Baylor. This practicum experience
provided me with such meaningful real-world experience. I had the opportunity to educate
students and impact how they view their own sexual health and make decisions in the future.
Through my scoping review, I gained invaluable research experience that I will take with me as a
I complete a doctoral program in the future.