hijyen

Hijyen refers to the conditions and practices that maintain health by preventing disease through cleanliness and sanitation. The term is cognate with hygiene and derives from French hygiène, via Latin hygiena and Greek hugiēneia. In many languages, including Turkish and several Southeast Asian languages, hijyen is used to describe both general health practices and specific cleanliness standards.

Core elements of hijyen include personal hygiene (handwashing with soap, bathing, dental care, nail and hair care, menstruation hygiene), environmental hygiene (access to clean water, sanitation, safe waste disposal, adequate ventilation), food hygiene (safe handling, preparation, cooking, and storage of food; pest control), and occupational hygiene (reducing exposure to hazards, use of protective equipment). Public health factors such as vaccination, disease surveillance, and outbreak response are also integral because they influence population-level hygiene.

Historical note: improvements in water supply, sewage systems, and germ theory in the 19th and 20th centuries significantly reduced mortality from infectious diseases. Pioneers such as Semmelweis and Nightingale highlighted the link between hygiene and health. Today, hygiene is a central component of public health, contributing to reductions in diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, and skin infections.

Standards and guidelines are set by organizations such as the World Health Organization and national health authorities. Practices are monitored through indicators like access to clean water, availability of soap and handwashing facilities, safe food handling, and sanitation coverage. Challenges include resource constraints, cultural practices, privacy and dignity concerns, and the need to balance thorough sanitation with antimicrobial resistance and environmental impact.