Department of Hygiene and Ecology

Department was established in 1926. It was administrated by Kh. Arkhipyants (1926-1932), N.Hakobyan (1932-1950), L.Harutyunyan (1950-1973), T.Asmangulyan (1973-2005). Since 2005 the head of department is professor Larisa Avetisyan.

During its activity, the chair has carried out considerable work in the development of hygienic science in the Republic of Armenia, as well as in the training of pedagogical and research staff.

Subject of «Hygiene and ecology» is conducted at all faculties of YSMU during VII and VIII terms. Thematic material is provided in the forms of lectures, practical classes and self-works. The main issues of preventive medicine are delivered within lectures. Practical classes include the discussion of lecture materials and laboratory works. While doing self-works, students represent reports, solve different exercises, and are enrolled in discussions. Since 2015 in faculty of General medicine and since 2021 in rest faculties the multicomponent assessment system is introduced.

During last several years 3 handbooks in Armenian, Russian and English were published. Now staff of department is working on new book for students.

Subject “Environmental health” is conducted for postgraduate students in some specialties.

Postgraduate education in department is represented by Clinical residency with graduation qualification of hygiene (1 year), master degree within Public health faculty with graduation qualification of hygiene (1 year) and PhD (3 year).

Research works of the Hygiene and Ecology Department have been conducted in the following directions:
• A study of the chemical composition of food staff, the presence of toxic substances in food, and the study of food poisoning prevention
• Study of the issues of water supply and water resources in the Republic of Armenia and the regulation of harmful substances in the environment
• The effects of heavy metals on the health of different age groups in the population
• Investigation of radiation background influence on the health of the population in Armenia
• Investigation of lifestyle, factual nutrition, physical development and health status of students of public and intensive training schools, as well as at Higher Educational Establishments
• Study of the hygienic peculiarities of weather and climatic conditions of Ararat Valley, as well as the evaluation of meteopathic reactions by the example of cardiovascular system diseases
• Study of Hygienic Issues of Green at hospitals;
• Study of medical and ecological problems of natural environmental factors in the territory of the Republic of Armenia
• Prevalence of oncological diseases in Armenia

• Issue of cause-effect relationship between health status, psychosocial status of schoolchildren and students, and educational regimen

At present the staff of the Department is working on the issue of prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders and influence of some environmental factors on it, as well as influence of industrial hazards, in particular pesticides, on health of the rural population.

Results of researches are published in local and international scientific journals.

The department has implemented a 2017-2022 “Erasmus+” bilateral collaborative program with the Department of Nutrition, Sports and exercise of the University of Copenhagen. Within the framework of the project, 7 lecturers of the department and 3 residents of the university were trained at the University of Copenhagen, and 3 professors of the KU presented series of lectures for the students and teaching staff of YSMU and 2 nutrition masters completed their 6-week field practice at the department. As a result of the project, the teaching material was updated, and the nutrition component of the residents’ courses was changed.