Learning objectives
To provide students with knowledge related to the general principles of hygiene and prevention, to be appied in the specific field of study and activity. To acquire a methodology of autonomous learning and autonomy of judgment regarding the topics dealt with. To acquire specific communication skills in relationships with specialists and non-specialist interlocutors.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course deals with aspects related to the aim of epidemiology as a fundamental tool to identify Public health problems, risk and protective factors, and to plan and to evaluate public health interventions. The first lesson deals with the general and specific aspects of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, referring to the concepts of health and disease. In the following lessons, the fundamental elements of the general epidemiology of infectious and non-infectious diseases, the basic tools of Public Health used in the context of primary, secondary (screening), tertiary and quaternary prevention are presented; the concepts of primary prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases and related operational tools are explored in depth. In the last part of the course, environmental hygiene is treated and in particular the hygienic quality of water intended for human consumption.
Full programme
Definition of Health, Hygiene and Public Health; evolution of the health concept. Objectives and methods of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine. Role of Public Health. DiseaseS prevention and health promotion. Definition of epidemiology and fields of study. Causal factors and risk factors; determinants of health. Overview of health demography and health indicators. Data sources. The main epidemiological measures: rates and proportions, prevalence and incidence; risk measures and causal relationship; association. Epidemiological studies: observational studies, experimental studies.
General epidemiology of infectious diseases: microorganisms and us; sources and reservoirs of infection; mechanisms (ways) of transmission of infectious diseases. Factors favoring the occurrence of infections. Ways of infections onset in the population.
General prevention of infectious diseases: the levels of prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary prevention). General prophylaxis of infectious diseases: notification, isolation, default measures, epidemiological investigation, disinfection, sterilization, antisepsis, asepsis. Active immunoprophylaxis: vaccines and vaccinations. Passive immunoprophylaxis. Primary and secondary chemoprophylaxis.
Epidemiology and prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. Definition and characteristics of a screening test: sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Screening campaigns.
Drinking water. Notes on the sources of water supply and sources of pollution. Criteria for drinking water.
Bibliography
C. Signorelli. Igiene e sanità pubblica. Società Editrice Universi, 2017.
S. Barbuti e coll. Igiene e Medicina preventiva. Monduzzi Editore, 2014.
Pontello, Auxilia. Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e salute globale. Padova: Piccin, 2021.
Didactic material provided by teacher, available on dedicated platform (Elly).
Teaching methods
The course will be taught through frontal lectures, with interactive sessions.
Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly).
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the definited objectives achievement consists of an oral examination. Through questions about the contents of the course will be determined whether the student has achieved the goal of knowledge and understanding of the content and whether it is able to apply the knowledge acquired in the exercise of profession.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA/BSE) must contact the University's Center for Accommodation and Inclusion (cai@unipr.it).
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
This teaching contributes to realising the UN objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
