PREVENTION SCIENCESModule General hygiene and health organization
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: MARGHERITA FERRANTEExpected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will acquire basic knowledge of the principles of hygiene and prevention applied to individual and public health. In particular, they will gain knowledge of the determinants of health, the main risk factors associated with lifestyles and environmental conditions, the mechanisms underlying the onset and spread of infectious diseases, and the principal strategies for the prevention of chronic-degenerative diseases. The course will also address the relationships between environment and health, with reference to issues related to biological, chemical, and physical pollution of different environmental matrices.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to recognize and evaluate the main factors influencing the health status of the population, with particular reference to the role of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention. They will also be able to understand the basic principles of preventive measures and health promotion strategies in educational and community settings.
Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate information related to health risk factors and prevention strategies, interpreting data and information derived from the scientific literature and institutional sources. These skills will enable them to formulate preliminary assessments of the most appropriate behaviors and interventions for the protection and promotion of health.
Students will be able to use appropriate scientific terminology to describe health determinants, risk factors, and the main prevention strategies, communicating clearly and accurately information related to health promotion and healthy lifestyles in educational and community contexts.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the conceptual tools necessary to independently deepen their knowledge of hygiene, prevention, and health promotion, developing the ability to update their knowledge through consultation of scientific literature and institutional sources in the field of public health.
Course Structure
Interactive didactic with case-study presentation.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The causal relationship in epidemiology. Risk assessment. Systematic reviews and meta-analyzes. Medicine based on evidence of efficacy.
Methodology for prevention and health promotion. Principles of health education. Health and health promotion. Communication methods and models. Health Promotion Strategies. Health Promotion in the Ottawa Charter.
Surveillance systems at European level. The networks and activities of the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control).
- Hospital acquired infections (HAI): surveillance programs and national and European networks.
Health needs in developmental age. Health needs in adulthood. Defense and health promotion in the elderly. Risk and prevention factors in living and working environments.
Health organization: Health organization at international and European level. The national health service in Italy: the central, regional and local level. Health planning. The national health plan and the regional health plans. Health Management.
Textbook Information
1) Maria Triassi, Igiene Medicina Preventiva e del Territorio, III edizione, Sorbona, Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli 2019.
1) Antonio Azara, Annalaura Carducci, Osvalda De Giglio, Margherita Ferrante, Tiziana Schilirò, Marco Vinceti. Igiene Ambientale. EDISES, Napoli 2024.
2) Maria Triassi, Gabriella Aggazzotti, Margherita Ferrante, Igiene Medicina Preventiva e del Territorio, II edizione, Sorbona, Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli 2015.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principi di demografia e di statistica sanitaria. Fonti dei dati demografici e sanitari. Indicatori demografici. Indicatori di mortalità e di morbosità. Indicatori della qualità della vita. | Testo1 Capitolo 1. |
| 2 | Indicatori della qualità della vita. La valutazione del rischio. Revisioni sistematiche e metanalisi | Testo1 Capitolo 1, Testo 2 Capitoli 1-3. |
| 3 | Prevenzione delle malattie cronico-degenerative e delle disabilità. Prevenzione primaria, secondaria e terziaria. Principi di educazione salute. Strategie di promozione della salute. Modalità e modelli di comunicazione. Carta di Ottawa. | Slide su Studium. |
| 4 | Promozione della salute e prevenzione delle malattie nelle diverse fasi della vita. Prevenzione preconcezionale , prenatale e neonatale. Bisogni di salute in età evolutiva. Bisogni di salute nell’età adulta. Difesa e promozione della salute nell’anziano. | Slide su Studium. |
| 5 | Fattori di rischio e prevenzione negli ambienti di vita e di lavoro. | Testo 1 Capitolo 3, Testo 2 Capitoli 4-9. |
| 6 | Economia e organizzazione sanitaria Principi di economia sanitaria. I principi base dell’economia. Gli elementi della valutazione economica. Tecniche di valutazione economica. | Testo 1 Capitolo 2. |
| 7 | Organizzazione sanitaria a livello internazionale ed europeo. Il servizio sanitario nazionale in Italia: il livello centrale, regionale e locale. La programmazione sanitaria. Il piano sanitario nazionale e Piani sanitari regionali. Il management sanitario | Testo 1 Capitolo 2. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Oral examination.
Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1) Describe the methodology for the study of risk.
2) Primal prevention and health planning.
3) Quality in health care.