Hiv/Aids – JSS1 Social Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS, the final stage of HIV infection.

• Cure: AIDS has no known cure, but antiretroviral drugs help a carrier stay healthy and live longer.
• Spread: HIV passes on through infected body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State what HIV and AIDS stand for and explain what they are.
2. List the ways HIV is transmitted and the symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
3. State the effects of HIV/AIDS on victims and how it can be prevented and controlled.
4. Explain how people living with HIV/AIDS should be treated.
5. Define corruption and list its forms, causes and solutions, and the bodies that fight it in Nigeria.

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that attacks the immune system and eventually results in AIDS.

HIV

• Full meaning: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
• Action: it attacks the immune system, the part of the body that fights germs such as bacteria and viruses.
• Result: the immune system becomes deficient, which means it does not work properly.

AIDS

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, in which the body can no longer fight off illness.

• Full meaning: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• Effect: a person with AIDS is prone to many health problems.
• Treatment: it has no known cure, but antiretroviral drugs help the carrier stay healthy and live longer.
• Not hereditary: it is acquired, which means it is passed from one person to another through body fluids such as blood.
• First reports: America in 1981 and Nigeria in 1986.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus, while AIDS is the condition that develops when the virus has badly weakened the immune system.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted when a person is exposed to body fluid infected with the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

1. Sexual intercourse: with an infected person.
2. Unscreened blood: through the transfusion of blood that has not been tested.
3. Contaminated objects: sharing needles, syringes, blades and similar skin-piercing objects.
4. Mother to child: during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

How is HIV/AIDS not transmitted?

HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through ordinary contact with an infected person.

• Touch: shaking hands and hugging.
• Insects: mosquito bites.
• Shared items: eating together, sharing plates and cups, and sharing clothes.
• Shared places: using the same toilet seat and swimming together.

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

Symptoms are signs that show somebody may be suffering from HIV/AIDS.

1. Loss of weight.
2. Acute fever and headache.
3. Rashes on the skin, and sore throat, mouth and nose.
4. Prolonged night sweats.
5. Dry cough.
6. Prolonged diarrhoea for more than a week.
7. Pneumonia.
8. Loss of memory.
9. Loss of appetite.
10. Enlarged glands in the neck, groin or armpit.
11. White coating on the tongue.

• One sign alone: it can occur on its own and be treated for what it is.
• About three signs together: visit a doctor or health worker and be tested for HIV/AIDS.
• Testing: these signs also occur in other illnesses, so only a test can confirm HIV.

Who is at greater risk of HIV/AIDS?

Everyone is at risk of HIV/AIDS, but some people have a greater chance of contracting it.

1. Illicit sex: sexual intercourse outside marriage.
2. Multiple partners: having more than one sexual partner.
3. Sharing skin-piercing objects: needles, blades and similar items.
4. Unscreened blood: receiving blood that has not been tested.
5. Ignorance: people who do not know about the disease.

What are the effects of HIV/AIDS on the victims?

HIV/AIDS affects the health, the family and the social life of the victim.

1. Death: it can kill the victim.
2. Rejection: the victim may face discrimination, even from family members.
3. Poor nutrition: absorption of nutrients is reduced.
4. Family shame: it tarnishes the image of the victim’s family.
5. Spread: the victim may pass the virus on to others.
6. Suffering: it brings illness and pain.

How can HIV/AIDS be prevented and controlled?

HIV/AIDS is prevented by avoiding risky behaviour, using safe blood and objects, and getting early medical care.

1. Abstinence: the most effective method, which means refusing sexual intercourse until marriage.
2. Early diagnosis and treatment: this stops HIV from developing into full-blown AIDS.
3. Medical advice: women who are HIV positive should seek advice before getting pregnant.
4. Hard drugs: youths should stay away from them.
5. Infant feeding: infected mothers should ask a health worker how to feed their babies safely.
6. Blood oath-taking: it should be discouraged.
7. Antiretroviral drugs: they should be available and affordable in all health institutions.
8. Exercise: daily physical exercise should be encouraged.
9. Healthy diet: fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily.
10. Female genital mutilation: we must say NO to it.
11. Screened blood: blood to be transfused must be tested first.
12. Condoms: play safe and use condoms to avoid sexually transmitted infections.

How should we care for people living with HIV/AIDS?

People who are HIV positive need our support, love and acceptance.

• Care and love: look after them and show them love.
• Acceptance: accept them as members of the family and community.
• Prayer: pray for them.
• Financial help: support them with money where we can.
• No stigma: do not discriminate against them or stigmatise them.
• Equal rights: they have full rights as citizens and must get the same treatment as those who are not positive.

What is corruption?

Corruption is dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially by people in public posts, to gain personal benefit.

• Corrupt practice: a practice that breaks written rules for personal gain and profit.
• Private gain: using public power or public money for private profit.
• Illegal means: an attempt to secure wealth and power through unlawful ways.
• Spread: it is found in Nigeria, in Africa and in advanced countries, among young and old, men and women.
• Osoba (1996): defines it as antisocial behaviour that gives improper benefits, contrary to legal and moral norms.

What are the forms of corruption in Nigeria?

Corruption takes many forms in Nigeria and has added to the poverty and hardship of many Nigerians.

1. Lateness: habitual lateness to school or work.
2. Wasting official time: using government hours for personal work.
3. Sex for favours: using sex to secure passes, employment, promotion or contracts.
4. Bribery: demanding and receiving money to give marks or resources without due process.
5. Rigging: manipulating examination or election results to favour someone who did not take part.
6. Inflated contracts: raising contract figures to receive kickbacks from the exact amount.
7. Misappropriation: misusing public funds in any form.
8. Forgery: falsifying results, certificates and age documents, and favouring unqualified friends and relations.
9. Destroying evidence: burning documents or buildings to cover up wrong dealings in public offices.
10. Pretending to be a top donor: doing so in a church, village or ceremony to win a contract and then execute poor work.
11. Favouritism: being biased in sharing state resources.
12. Nepotism: a type of favouritism where an office holder prefers kinfolk and family members.

What are the causes of corruption?

The main causes of corruption are greed, unequal wealth and weak systems of reward and national unity.

1. Greed: people are never satisfied with what they have.
2. Political office: it is seen as the main way of gaining access to wealth.
3. Uneven distribution of wealth: a few people have too much while many have too little.
4. Weak national feeling: there is no strong sense of national community.
5. Poor reward system: workers are not paid or rewarded fairly.

What are the solutions to corrupt practices?

Corruption is reduced by openness, fairness, honest teaching and the punishment of offenders.

1. Openness: people must be open in their dealings with others, with no secrecy.
2. Merit: things must be done by merit, not by tribe.
3. Fair reward: workers should be paid and rewarded fairly.
4. Punishment: people found guilty of corrupt acts should be punished.
5. Moral teaching: homes and schools should teach honesty.

Which bodies fight corruption in Nigeria?

Several agencies and campaigns fight corruption in Nigeria.

1. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC): deals with economic and financial crimes.
2. Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC): deals with bribery and related corrupt practices.
3. Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB): deals with the conduct of public officers.
4. War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAIC): a campaign against indiscipline and corruption.
5. Public Complaints Commission: receives complaints from citizens about public bodies.

Evaluation

1. What do HIV and AIDS stand for?
2. List four ways in which HIV is transmitted.
3. State five symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
4. Mention four ways of preventing HIV/AIDS.
5. Define corruption and name two bodies that fight it in Nigeria.

Assignment

In your exercise book, answer all the parts below.

1. List four effects of HIV/AIDS on the victims.
2. Explain how we should treat people living with HIV/AIDS.
3. State four forms of corruption and three causes of corruption.