General Prevention of Communicable Disease – JSS3 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Communicable diseases can be prevented by good personal hygiene, clean surroundings, well-cooked food, quick treatment of wounds, quarantine rules and regular medical check-ups. Non-communicable diseases cannot be passed from one person to another. They are caused by factors such as dietary imbalance, malnutrition and heredity, and they are prevented mainly by a healthy lifestyle.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State ways of preventing communicable diseases.
2. Explain what non-communicable diseases are.
3. State the causes of non-communicable diseases.
4. Give examples of non-communicable diseases.
5. State ways of preventing non-communicable diseases.

How can communicable diseases be prevented?

1. Wash your hands properly before eating and after using the toilet.
2. Obey quarantine regulations.
3. Maintain personal cleanliness.
4. Ensure good environmental sanitation in and around the house.
5. Cook your food well before you eat it.
6. Keep your fingers clean and your fingernails short.
7. Treat wounds and sores and never leave them exposed.
8. Fumigate your surroundings regularly.
9. Have a regular medical check-up.

What are non-communicable diseases?

Non-communicable diseases are diseases that cannot be transmitted from one person to another. They have many causes but are never caused by germs, bacteria or other living organisms that attack the body.

Causes of non-communicable diseases

1. Atomic fallout
2. Chemical fallout
3. Physiological failures of the tissues
4. Brain damage
5. Dietary imbalance
6. Malnutrition
7. Heredity

Examples of non-communicable diseases

• Rheumatism
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Cataract
• Cancer
• Snake bite
• Ulcer
• Alcoholism
• Obesity
• Asthma
• Marasmus
• Anaemia
• Goitre
• Kwashiorkor
• Crossed eye
• Epilepsy
• Retarded brain
• Neurosis
• Psychosis
• Birthmark, and others

How can non-communicable diseases be prevented?

1. Engage in physical exercise.
2. Eat a balanced diet.
3. Do not live in a dusty environment.
4. Live a healthy lifestyle.
5. Do not be driven into stress.
6. Maintain personal cleanliness.
7. Have a regular medical check-up.
8. Avoid a sedentary or careless lifestyle.
9. Avoid overworking yourself.

Evaluation

1. Differentiate between communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
2. Define disease.
3. Outline seven diseases and their causative agents.
4. Outline five ways of preventing communicable diseases from spreading.

Assignment

Find out the meaning of the following non-communicable diseases:

1. Neurosis
2. Stroke
3. Asthma
4. Cancer
5. Cataract
6. Rheumatism