IGIENE

Knowledge and understanding (DD1)

•         Understand the fundamental concepts of Hygiene and Epidemiology, health determinants, and epidemiological indicators.

•         Comprehend the types of epidemiological studies and the measures of association between exposure and effect.

•         Acquire knowledge on environmental hygiene, risk analysis, and preventive measures.

•         Understand the principles of epidemiology and prevention of chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases.

•         Comprehend the requirements and general measures for protection against chemical and biological risk.

•         Understand the concepts of infection transmission, chain of contagion, epidemic, endemic, and sporadic occurrence.

Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2)

•         Critically analyze the relationship between environment and health, identifying risk and protective factors.

•         Apply epidemiological methodologies to assess the health status of the population.

•         Use tools and models for primary and secondary prevention of major chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases.

•         Acquire skills in managing and reducing biological and environmental risks.

•         Interpret epidemiological data and health indicators.

•         Distinguish between different epidemiological study designs and apply them to concrete contexts.

•         Identify appropriate preventive measures in relation to different risk scenarios.

•         Interpret and connect theoretical concepts to practical situations regarding disease prevention.

•         Integrate biological, environmental, and social knowledge in the interpretation of epidemiological phenomena.

Making judgements (DD3)

•         Independently assess the impact of various risk factors on population health.

•         Recognize the limitations of different epidemiological models and correctly interpret their results.

•         Formulate informed judgments on the effectiveness of prevention and protection strategies.

Communication skills (DD4)

•         Present concepts using an appropriate technical-scientific language.

•         Communicate preventive and risk management measures in a clear and structured way.

Learning skills (DD5)

•         Acquire study and research methods useful for pursuing specialist training paths.

•         Develop a critical and autonomous approach to scientific inquiry and professional learning.

The course includes classroom lectures in which continuous interaction with students is encouraged, with the aim of developing the ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course. According to the RDA, Art. 12 – University Educational Credits (Crediti Formativi Universitari, CFU), within the standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment corresponding to one credit, the following may apply:
a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remaining hours to individual study;
b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent assisted activities (laboratories), with the remaining hours devoted to personal study and review.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

No prerequisites. A basic school-level knowledge level is required.

Attendance is mandatory as required by the didactic regulations of the Degree Course. Absences of no more than 30% of the total teaching hours are permitted, assessed across all forms of course delivery (http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/l-29_sfa/regolamento-didattico).

General Concepts of Epidemiology. Health and its determinants. Definition of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Health Indicators.

Epidemiological Studies. Observational and Experimental Epidemiological Study Models. Measures of association between exposure and effect.

Epidemiology and prevention of chronic-degenerative diseases. Risk factors and protective factors. Primary and secondary prevention.

Epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases. Concepts of infection transmission - Sources and reservoirs of infection - Chains of contagion - Epidemics - Endemics - Sporadicity. Primary and secondary prevention - Active and passive immune prophylaxis.

General requirements and measures for protection from biological risk. Classification of biological agents. General measures for protection from biological risk.

Environmental Hygiene. Definition of environment. Studying the relationship between the environment and health. Identification of causative agents and risk factors. Risk analysis. Definition of hazard and hazard classification. Dose-response assessment. Preventive measures.

Barbuti S., Fara G.M., Giammanco G. – IGIENE, MEDICINA DI COMUNITÀ E SANITÀ PUBBLICA. II Edizione EDISES.

Written Exam

The written test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1.5 points (maximum score 30). The test is considered passed ("approval") if the total score exceeds 18 points.

Exam Sessions: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs.

Students can also contact the CInAP referring teacher (Centro per l'integrazione Attiva e Partecipata – Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA), prof.ssa Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it), within the Department.

Definition of primary and secondary prevention. Definition of source and reservoir of infection. Classification of biological agents. Cohort studies: study design and main characteristics. Risk analysis. Risk measures. Air pollution.