Department of Public Health
Student scientific club
Scientific Supervisor of the Society: Inessa H. Bibyk, Ph.D., Associate Professor,
inna.bibyk@gmail.com
Head of the Society: Oleksii O. Kuznetsov, Medical Faculty No. 2, Group 13208,
The Students’ Scientific Club of the Social Medicine and Public Health Department has many years of history. The main targets of the activity of the club are identification of the talented student youth, stimulation of the young scientists to conduct independent scientific research, development of theoretical knowledge. During the years of the Club existence, approximately 1000 talented students were trained within the Students’ Scientific Club. The Club has played the important role in training of the future qualified personnel of the speciality of social-hygienists. Former participants of the Club are successfully working within many public health institutions of Ukraine and abroad. Many of them have written master’s and doctoral dissertations. During the different periods of existence of the Club, there were studying: Mr. Oleg Voronenko, Advisor on program issues of the representative office of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities in Ukraine; Mr. Yu.P. Reznikov, deputy head of Department of Foreign Students’ Training of the National Medical University, teaching assistant of the Pediatrics Department; Mrs. O.V. Gruzieva, Doctor of Philosophy, Assistant to Professor of Carolina Institute; Mrs. L.O. Lytvynova, associate professor of the Department of social medicine and public health; Mr. Ye.M. Zadorozhnyi, director general of the private enterprise “MEDVIN” and others.
Taking into consideration the traditions of the Students’ Scientific Club and importance of this form of education in the part of preparation of the future scientists and clinicians, a lot of time and work of the heads of the department and of employees responsible for scientific and educational work were traditionally dedicated to the work of the Students’ Scientific Club.
The heads of the Students’ Scientific Club of the department were the associate professor L.O. Lytvynova (2003-2009), professor L.I. Galiyenko (2009-2015), associate professor O.M. Donik (2015-2019). Every head of the Students’ Scientific Club shared his knowledge, considerable doctor’s and pedagogical experience while working with students-members of the club.
As a result of the hard work with the talented youth, there were victories of the members of the Club of the department at the II stage of the All Ukrainian Student Competition on Social Medicine (2015-2019), at the II round of the All Ukrainian Competition of the Students’ Scientific Research Papers (2015-2019) and in foreign scientific competitions, namely, in the Х International Scientific Conference of the young scientists (Lisabon, Portugal, 2015) – І prize, International Competition of the students’ research papers (Wroclaw, Poland) within the framework of the Х Jubilee Days of Public Health – ІІ prize in 2017 and І prize in 2018.
Approximately 20 students are annually trained in the Club. The meetings are held at the department every second Tuesday of the month at address: Kyiv, Politechnichna Str., 25/29, Students’ Hospital, 7th floor. Moreover, the Club members can get consultancy at the department regarding performance of the scientific works on constant basis, including in the on-line mode.
The work of the scientific club is arranged into the following streams: development of the public health system; reforms of the public health service systems; preventive treatment and forming of the healthy lifestyle of the population; grounding of the preventive programs and events; organization and management of public health service; development of the family practice, in-patient care, specialized medical care and medical care substituting in-patient care; use of the modern information technologies; planning and holding of the scientific research.
Members of the club are participants of the international and national scientific forums, take active part in the students’ conferences within department, in informative and educational events, etc.
Work in the scientific club contributes to increase of the level of knowledge of the students in terms of the academic subject “Social medicine, public health”, better understanding of biostatistics, involvement of students into scientific and research work in terms of “Social medicine, public health”.
Calendar Plan of Meetings of the Student Scientific Club in the Discipline “Public Health” for the 2025/2026 Academic Year
| № | Topic of the Meeting | Date | Venue Address | Responsible Person /
Presenter |
| 1. | Organizational Issues, Approval of Meeting Topics. | 25.09.25 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Lytvynova L.O. |
| Population Aging and the Global Burden of Dementia: Challenges for the Healthcare System (dedicated to World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21). | ||||
| 2. | Answering the Call: Strategies for Mental Health Support and PTSD Prevention in Ukraine Amidst War.(dedicated to World Mental Health Day, October 10). | 30.10.25 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Bibyk I.G. |
| 3. | The Global Problem of Gender-Based Violence: Medico-Social Consequences and the Role of Healthcare (dedicated to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25). | 27.11.25 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Inshakova H.V. |
| 4. | Vaccination: The Driving Force of Public Health and the Fight Against Vaccine Hesitancy. | 26.12.25 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Donik O.M. |
| 5. | Information Health in the Digital Age: How to Combat Misinformation in Medicine (dedicated to International Data Protection Day, January 28). | 29.01.26 | Beresteiskyi
Ave, 34 |
Slutu N.Yu. |
| 6. | The Global Challenge of Oncology: From Prevention to Innovative Treatment Methods (dedicated to World Cancer Day, February 4). | 26.02.26 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Hrechyshkina N.V. |
| 7. | Tuberculosis as a Socially Significant Disease: The Role of the Public Health System in Fighting the Epidemic(dedicated to World Tuberculosis Day, March 24). | 26.03.26 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Shkala O.V. |
| 8. | Modern Wars and Their Impact on Public Health: The Role of the Healthcare System in Emergency Situations(dedicated to World Health Day, April 7). | 30.04.26 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Galiienko L.I. |
| 9. | Smoking and its Consequences: A Global Strategy for Tobacco Control (dedicated to World No Tobacco Day, May 31). | 28.05.26 | Beresteiskyi Ave, 34 | Zamkevych V.B. |
Interdepartmental Meeting “Vaccination as a Public Health Priority”
On December 22, 2025, a joint interdepartmental meeting of the student scientific clubs of the Department of Public Health and the Department of Infectious Diseases took place. The event was dedicated to the topic: ‘Vaccination: The Driving Force of Public Health and the Fight Against Vaccine Refusal.’
The purpose of the meeting was to unite interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and developments regarding the promotion of immunoprophylaxis as an effective tool for preserving public health.
The participants of the clubs discussed communication strategies with the public and overcoming barriers to achieving high vaccination coverage. The basis of the scientific discussion included presentations by Anna Samofal (6th-year student of the Institute of Medicine) on the topic: ‘Vaccination as a Driving Force of Public Health and Overcoming Vaccine Refusal.’ The work revealed the strategic significance of immunization and analyzed the socio-psychological aspects of anti-vaccine sentiments. Also, Ayi Azizivna Takhy (3rd-year student of the Institute of Medicine) presented on the topic: ‘Vaccination as a Tool for Preventing Infectious Diseases: A Modern Perspective and Debunking Common Prejudices.’ The speaker systematically analyzed the evidence base for the effectiveness of vaccines and provided arguments against prevalent misinformation.
During the discussion, the priority of educational work and the intersectoral cooperation of public health professionals and infectious disease specialists for the formation of collective immunity were emphasized.
The meeting demonstrated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the current challenges of modern medicine and public health.
On November 27, 2025, a regular meeting of the student scientific club of the Department of Public Health took place, dedicated to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25). The theme of the meeting was ‘Gender-Based Violence.’
The purpose of the meeting was to unite interdisciplinary scientific knowledge for a deeper understanding, prevention, and overcoming of gender-based violence as a critical issue of public health and social well-being.
The participants of the club actively discussed the medical and social consequences of violence, strategies for intersectoral cooperation, and the key role of healthcare institutions in the system of assistance for victims.
During the meeting, substantial reports were presented by second-year students: Margarita Tomkus on the topic: ‘Gender-Based Violence: Modern Challenges’ and Volodymyr Rodichkin on the topic: ‘Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Context of Gender Inequality: Analysis of Violence Against Women as the Most Common Form.’ The scientific supervisor was Associate Professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Hanna Inshakova.
The speakers thoroughly revealed the forms, prevalence, and medical-social mechanisms of the impact of violence on health and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of educational work and early detection of cases of violence by public health professionals.
The meeting was conducted in a constructive dialogue format, promoting the professional competence of future specialists in issues concerning human rights protection and strengthening public health
Interdepartmental Meeting of Student Scientific Societies: Mental Health Support and PTSD Prevention
On October 30, 2025, a joint interdepartmental meeting of the student scientific societies of the Department of Public Health and the Department of General and Medical Psychology took place. The event was dedicated to World Mental Health Day (October 10).
The purpose of the meeting was to combine interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and developments regarding strategies for supporting the mental well-being of Ukrainian society during wartime. The discussion focused on the topic: “Responding to the Challenge: Strategies for Mental Health Support and PTSD Prevention in Ukraine during the War.”
Two substantial presentations were delivered, both of which stimulated active academic discussion. Oleksandra Zuieva (3rd year, Institute of Public Health): “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Medical and Psychological Perspective.” The presentation explored the clinical and psychological mechanisms of PTSD, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
Yuliia Vdovychenko (6th year, Institute of Medicine): “Strategies of Medical-Psychological and Psychiatric Care for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Ukraine during the War.” The report systematically analyzed existing national strategies and international experience in providing comprehensive care.
The meeting reaffirmed the critical importance of prevention, early detection, and intersectoral cooperation between public health and psychology professionals in fostering social resilience.
Student Groups Discuss the Problem of Aging and Age-Related Mental Disorders
On October 16, 2025, a meeting of the student scientific group took place at the Department of Public Health. It was dedicated to World Alzheimer’s Day.
The head of the department, Professor T.S. Gruzieva, addressed over a hundred participants with a welcoming speech. She emphasized the relevance of the problem of dementia in the context of an aging population, socio-economic challenges, and the need for the development of interdisciplinary approaches in the public health system.
Two informative reports were presented during the meeting. Associate Professor L.O. Litvinova presented a report on “Modern Aspects of the Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in the World and Ukraine.” It included a systematic analysis of current statistical data, and emphasized the need to develop a national strategy to combat dementia.
A 6th-year student, N.A. Zelenko, presented a work on “Aging Population and Alzheimer’s Disease. Healthy Longevity as a Preventive Strategy.” It demonstrated a deep connection between demographic processes and population health, and highlighted the importance of preventive approaches in maintaining cognitive well-being of the population.
The reports sparked active discussion among the participants, contributed to raising awareness of the problem of dementia, and emphasized the importance of prevention, early detection, and intersectoral cooperation in the field of public health.The meeting took place in a friendly and scientifically rich atmosphere.
