The Evolution of Health Education in Nigeria

Health Education SS1 First Term Lesson Note – Week 2

Subject: Health Education
Class: SS1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 14-16 years
Topic: Health Education in Nigeria
Sub-topic: History, Philosophy, and Key Issues in Nigerian Health Education
Duration: 40 minutes


Behavioral Objectives:

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

  1. Discuss the history of health education in Nigeria.
  2. Summarize the philosophy of health education in Nigeria.
  3. Mention notable pioneers of health education in Nigeria.
  4. Identify prevalent health education issues in Nigeria, such as polio and Lassa fever.

Keywords:

  • Health Education
  • Philosophy
  • Pioneers
  • Prevalent Health Issues

Set Induction:

The teacher will ask students if they are aware of any health challenges Nigeria faces and the measures taken to address them, introducing the importance of health education in solving these issues.

Entry Behavior:

Students are expected to have basic knowledge of the concept of health and health education from the previous lesson.

Learning Resources and Materials:

  • Timeline charts on the history of health education in Nigeria
  • Pictures of health education pioneers and campaigns against diseases

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will recap the previous lesson on the concept of health education and its importance, linking this to Nigeria’s efforts to improve public health.

Embedded Core Skills:

  • Critical thinking
  • Communication
  • Social responsibility

Learning Materials:

  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts on health education history and prevalent health issues in Nigeria

Reference Books:

Lagos State Scheme of Work for Health Education SS1, Basic Health Education textbooks

Instructional Materials:

Posters, illustrations of Nigerian health campaigns, historical documents on health initiatives.


Lesson Content

1. History of Health Education in Nigeria:

Health education in Nigeria has its roots in the colonial period when the government introduced policies to control diseases such as malaria, smallpox, and yellow fever. Efforts in health education gained momentum after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, as the government began implementing programs to improve public awareness and preventive healthcare.

Key Milestones:

  • Colonial Era: Initial health education efforts focused on controlling diseases brought in by international travelers.
  • Post-Independence: Establishment of the Ministry of Health and launching of health campaigns targeting hygiene and sanitation.
  • 1980s and Beyond: Introduction of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure health education reached rural communities.

2. Philosophy of Health Education in Nigeria:

The philosophy of health education in Nigeria centers around empowering individuals and communities with knowledge and skills to improve their health and prevent disease. It emphasizes preventive care, community involvement, and the integration of health education into school curricula.

Core Values:

  • Community-Based Approach: Ensuring health education reaches all segments of society.
  • Preventive Focus: Educating people on how to prevent diseases through healthy practices.
  • Incorporation into Education: Health education is included in school curriculums to instill healthy habits early in life.

3. Pioneers of Health Education in Nigeria:

Several individuals and organizations have made significant contributions to health education in Nigeria:

  • Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti: A prominent figure in Nigeria’s healthcare reform, he advocated for primary healthcare and vaccination programs.
  • Professor Adenike Grange: A former Minister of Health who worked on health policy and primary healthcare.
  • Nigerian Ministry of Health: The governmental body responsible for implementing health policies and campaigns.

4. Prevalent Health Education Issues in Nigeria:

Nigeria faces numerous health challenges that health education programs aim to address, such as:

  • Polio: Once widespread, polio has been largely eradicated through vaccination campaigns.
  • Lassa Fever: A viral disease common in certain parts of Nigeria, often spread by rodents. Health education programs focus on prevention and hygiene.
  • Malaria: Malaria remains a leading cause of illness, with health education emphasizing preventive measures like mosquito nets and sanitation.
  • HIV/AIDS: Education programs aim to reduce transmission rates and encourage testing.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

  1. The initial health education efforts in Nigeria began during the ________ era.
    • a) colonial
    • b) post-independence
    • c) modern
    • d) pre-colonial
      Answer: a) colonial
  2. The philosophy of health education in Nigeria includes a focus on ________ care.
    • a) reactive
    • b) community
    • c) preventive
    • d) physical
      Answer: c) preventive
  3. Dr. ________ was a key figure in Nigeria’s healthcare reform and advocated for primary healthcare.
    • a) Adenike Grange
    • b) Nnamdi Azikiwe
    • c) Olikoye Ransome-Kuti
    • d) Babatunde Fashola
      Answer: c) Olikoye Ransome-Kuti
  4. ________ fever is a prevalent health issue in Nigeria caused by rodents.
    • a) Lassa
    • b) Yellow
    • c) Dengue
    • d) Ebola
      Answer: a) Lassa
  5. One of the goals of health education is to reduce the spread of ________ diseases.
    • a) non-infectious
    • b) preventable
    • c) hereditary
    • d) none of the above
      Answer: b) preventable

 


FAQs with Answers

  1. What is the history of health education in Nigeria?
    Health education in Nigeria began during the colonial period with efforts to control diseases, evolving post-independence to include community health programs.
  2. What is the philosophy of health education in Nigeria?
    It focuses on prevention, community involvement, and incorporating health education into school programs.
  3. Who are some pioneers of health education in Nigeria?
    Pioneers include Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and Professor Adenike Grange, who worked on primary healthcare and health policy.
  4. What is Lassa fever?
    Lassa fever is a viral illness spread by rodents, prevalent in parts of Nigeria, with health education focusing on prevention and hygiene.
  5. How does health education help prevent malaria?
    Health education teaches people to use mosquito nets, keep their surroundings clean, and understand malaria prevention methods.

 


Presentation Steps

Step 1: Revision of Previous Topic

  • Review last week’s topic on the concept of health and health education.

Step 2: Introduction of New Topic

  • Introduce health education in Nigeria, beginning with its history and philosophy.

Step 3: Student Contributions and Corrections

  • Allow students to discuss what they know about health issues in Nigeria, correcting any misconceptions.

Teacher’s Activities

  1. Discuss the history of health education in Nigeria using a timeline chart.
  2. Explain the philosophy behind health education and its goals in Nigeria.
  3. List pioneers and lead a discussion on the impact of their contributions.

Learners’ Activities

  1. Take notes on the history and philosophy of health education.
  2. Engage in discussions on prevalent health issues.
  3. Complete fill-in-the-blank exercises and answer questions about Nigerian health education.

Assessment

  1. Briefly describe the history of health education in Nigeria.
  2. What is the philosophy of health education in Nigeria?
  3. Name two pioneers of health education in Nigeria.
  4. Identify two prevalent health issues in Nigeria.
  5. Why is health education important for disease prevention?

Evaluation Questions

  1. Describe one milestone in the history of health education in Nigeria.
  2. Summarize the philosophy of health education in Nigeria.
  3. Name a pioneer of health education in Nigeria and their contribution.
  4. List two prevalent health issues Nigeria faces.
  5. What is the role of health education in preventing diseases like malaria?
  6. How does health education in Nigeria incorporate community involvement?
  7. What is the goal of including health education in school curricula?
  8. Define preventive care in the context of Nigerian health education.
  9. How has polio been addressed through health education in Nigeria?
  10. Explain the importance of hygiene in preventing Lassa fever.

 


Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson by highlighting the importance of health education in Nigeria, focusing on its history, philosophy, and efforts to combat prevalent health issues.


Additional Details