The DTM&H exam covers the full spectrum of tropical and global health medicine — from the molecular biology of Plasmodium to the design of national immunisation programmes. This revision guide provides a structured overview of every major examinable domain, organised from the most heavily tested topics to the supplementary areas that complete your preparation.
Clinical Tropical Medicine (60% of Exam)
Malaria. The single most heavily tested topic. Know all five species (P. falciparum, vivax, ovale, malariae, knowlesi), their geographic distribution, diagnostic methods (thick and thin film, RDTs, PCR), treatment by species and severity (artemisinin-based combination therapy for uncomplicated P. falciparum, chloroquine for P. vivax/ovale where sensitive, primaquine for hypnozoite eradication — check G6PD first), severe malaria management (IV artesunate), and prevention (ITNs, IRS, chemoprophylaxis, IPTp, SMC, vaccines).
Tuberculosis. Diagnosis (sputum smear, GeneXpert, culture), treatment (standard 6-month regimen — 2HRZE/4HR), MDR-TB management, TB-HIV co-infection (timing of ART initiation), extrapulmonary TB, BCG.
HIV/AIDS. Diagnosis (rapid tests, confirmatory testing), ART (first-line, second-line regimens — know the major drug classes), opportunistic infections (PCP, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, MAC, CMV), PMTCT, and the 95-95-95 targets.
Neglected tropical diseases. Schistosomiasis (lifecycle, clinical features, diagnosis, praziquantel treatment), lymphatic filariasis (mass drug administration — DEC/albendazole or ivermectin/albendazole), onchocerciasis (ivermectin), leishmaniasis (visceral and cutaneous — different treatments), trypanosomiasis (African — suramin/melarsoprol/eflornithine; American — benznidazole), leprosy (WHO MDT regimens).
Other infections. Dengue (diagnosis, management, warning signs, no specific treatment), typhoid (diagnosis, treatment, resistance), cholera (ORS, zinc, antibiotics in severe), rabies (PEP protocol), helminth infections (ascariasis, hookworm, strongyloides, trichuriasis — treatment approaches), and emerging infections (Zika, Ebola, Nipah).
Parasitology and Entomology (SAQ Paper)
See the dedicated parasitology masterclass. Key: 30+ hours of image-based practice. Know the morphological features for visual identification of all high-yield organisms. The iatroX DTM&H Q-Bank parasitology questions build identification skills alongside clinical knowledge.
Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SSQ Paper)
WASH. Waterborne disease burden. Water treatment options (point-of-use, community level). Sanitation interventions. Hygiene promotion evidence. WASH in emergencies.
Disease control programmes. Malaria control (ITNs, IRS, SMC, case management, vaccines). TB control (DOTS, active case finding). HIV control (prevention, testing, treatment cascade). NTD control (mass drug administration programmes).
Maternal and child health. Causes of maternal mortality (haemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, obstructed labour, unsafe abortion). Interventions (antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, EmONC). Under-5 mortality causes and interventions. IMCI. Nutrition (breastfeeding, complementary feeding, SAM management).
Immunisation. EPI schedule. Cold chain management. Barriers to uptake. New vaccines. COVID-19 impact on routine immunisation.
Health systems. WHO building blocks. Primary healthcare. Community health workers. Health financing. Universal health coverage.
Non-Communicable Diseases (15%)
The double burden of communicable and non-communicable disease in LMICs. Diabetes management in resource-limited settings. CVD prevention. Mental health. Malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition). Trauma and injury.
The Preparation Stack
Q-Bank: iatroX DTM&H Q-Bank at iatroX Boards — 600+ curriculum-mapped questions with adaptive spaced repetition. Single subscription includes multiple specialty Q-banks.
Textbook: Manson's Tropical Diseases (reference) + ABC of clinical tropical medicine content from your course.
Parasitology: Course microscopy + CDC DPDx + iatroX parasitology questions.
Preventive medicine: WHO reports, course materials, practice essays.
Clinical reference: Ask iatroX — instant guideline verification during study and clinical practice.
From malaria to WASH, from parasitology to health systems — the DTM&H tests it all. Systematic preparation with the iatroX Q-Bank ensures that every domain is covered, retained, and exam-ready.