LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course material aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of hygiene as well as to develop their ability to understand the basic concepts of hygiene, epidemics including types of epidemiological studies as well as applications in Public Health issues. Moreover, the course aims to make students understand the difference between various epidemiological studies, studying and analyzing the physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic factors that affect the health of workers in areas and laboratories that provide health and diagnostic services. The knowledge of Hygiene and Epidemiology, that is the distribution and development of diseases and the factors that shape or can affect them, is important for the comprehensive assessment of the health of individuals and populations; is a prerequisite for the differential diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, provides the basis for all Public Health issues and is essential for monitoring the current literature and conducting biomedical research.
Objectives and expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
- Explain the principles of diseases with special emphasis on changing environmental factors.
- Promote the application of Epidemiology and Hygiene in the prevention of diseases and the provision of both environmental and related to biomedical laboratories health.
- Study health professionals, as well as the services they provide in relation to health and the growing need for care services.
- Ensure good performance both in terms of prevention and precaution.
- Establish the basis of continuous interest in Epidemiology.
- Understand the role of epidemiology in assessing the effectiveness and adequacy of care and health by community services.
- Understand the modern practical applications of laboratory virology in clinical practice.
- Use general texts, reference books and a range of other resources to further develop knowledge through continuous independent learning
SYLLABUS
Lectures
Historical review. Purposes, methods and uses of Epidemiology and Hygiene in Public Health. The modern prism of Epidemiological data. Study of epidemiological features. Perspectives and retrospective research. Epidemiological view of preventive interventions. Types and uses of epidemiological studies in matters of hygiene and Public Health.
The modules of the course include the following:
- Introductory concepts: Health and Epidemiology, Health, Disease, Public Health. Historical review, purposes and uses, etiology and classification in Epidemiology. Sources of data: censuses, population’ s physical movement, morbidity statistics, disease reporting, mortality statistics, hospital statistics, disease records.
- Research Planning in Epidemiology-Types of epidemiological research
- Morbidity rates-mortality rates. Descriptive Epidemiology. Characteristics of persons, place, time. Prospective research. Retrospective surveys.
- Data Sources-Epidemiological Surveillance.
- Descriptive Epidemiological Research.
- Analytical Epidemiology-Formulation and Control of Causal Cases
- Perspective studies-Retrospective studies.
- Experimental Research-Evaluation of Preventive and Therapeutic Measures.
- Clinical Epidemiology-Diagnosis, Prognosis and Prognostic Indicators.
- Ethics in Clinical and Epidemiological Research.
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases.
- Epidemiology of Genetic Diseases.
- Environmental Epidemiology. General review of the Environment. Environmental factors. Environmental risks to Public Health. Environmental Hygiene Conditions. Surface and groundwater. Uses and required quality per use for the protection of Public Health
- Introduction to Disinfection and Sterilization: General Chemistry Elements-Chemical disinfection and sterilization. Natural methods of disinfection-sterilization. Bacterial resistance and resistance of microorganisms to disinfectants. Antiseptic and antiseptics-Hand washing and antiseptic. Instructions, ISO Standards.
- Epidemiology of Diseases of Global Interest – Global Health.
- Summary-Current Epidemiological Topics.
- Public Hygiene and Public Health: Sources of Information on Hygiene and Health-Evaluation. International Health Organizations (Legal Framework) / Council of Europe. World Health Organization (WHO). European Union and Public Health.
- Disease Prevention-Health Promotion-Strategies. Prevention levels-application fields. Primary Health Care. The concept of health promotion. Methodology, ways, places of health education, characteristics. Institutions (Agencies) dealing with health education in Greece.
- Preventive Measures for Isolation of Patients. Very resistant pathogenic microorganisms, control measures.
- Impact and Characteristics of Endemic and Epidemic Infections.