Learning objectives
Provide the student with the basic tools and methodology to enable
him/her to understand the concepts and contexts for the application of
the prevention of infectious and chronic degenerative diseases
Prerequisites
Curiosity for the world around us
Course unit content
Hygiene, Public Health and Epidemiology, represent the basis and the the
applicative methodology of science of prevention and health promotion
Full programme
DEFINITION OF HEALTH AND DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH / DISEASE
• Evolution of the definitions of health and the concept of a health disease continuum
GENERAL PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
GENERAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Microorganisms and us (saprophytes, commensals and pathogens),
infection and disease; contagiousness, diffusivity, pathogenicity,
virulence;
Sick and infected reservoirs and sources (humans - healthy, precocious,
convalescent and chronic carriers);
MECHANISMS (WAYS) of transmission: direct, semi-direct, indirect
transmission; vehicles and carriers.
Notification, Diagnostic Assessment, Isolation
DISINFECTION: main disinfectants and applications in the health sector
STERILIZATION main sterilization methods (critical, semi-critical and non critical instruments)
ASEPSIS (maintenance of sterility)
ANTISEPSIS (killing and removal of pathogens)
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS: what are vaccines, main
types, general theory of active immunization. Vaccination campaigns.
Vaccinations for childhood, adolescence, adults and at-risk categories;
Immunoglobulins
SPECIAL PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES: notes on etiology,
epidemiology, prevention)
HEALTHCARE-RELATED INFECTIONS: definition, epidemiology, risk
factors, preventive measures.
The importance of measurement in epidemiology and public health;
health indicators
THE "LEVELS OF PREVENTION": primary, secondary, tertiary and
quaternary
OUTLINE OF GENERAL EPIDEMIOLOGY and PREVENTION OF NON INFECTIOUS DISEASES (the Burden of disease, screening)
PREVENTION OF SOME CHRONIC-DEGENERATIVE DISEASES:
Neoplastic Pathology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease
Bibliography
Igiene e Sanità pubblica. Secrets, domande e risposte 2021. Editor Carlo
Signorelli, IX edizione, Società editrice Universo.
Learning material used during the lessons provided by the teacher.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly).
Assessment methods and criteria
Verification of learning will be carried out at the end of the lessons of the Hygiene module scheduled for the 5th year of the course.
