Communicable Diseases and Their Prevention: Stay Safe!

Lesson Plan on Communicable Diseases and Their Prevention

Subject: Physical and Health Education
Class: Primary 4
Term: 1
Week: 7
Age: 9-10 years
Topic: Communicable Diseases and Their Prevention
Sub-topic: Meaning of Communicable Diseases, Agents of Communicable Diseases, Signs of Communicable Diseases, Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Types of Communicable Diseases
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define communicable diseases and explain how they are spread.
2. Identify the agents responsible for spreading communicable diseases.
3. Recognize the signs of communicable diseases.
4. Suggest ways to prevent communicable diseases.
5. Understand sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the importance of preventing HIV/AIDS.

Keywords

• Communicable Diseases
• Agents
• Prevention
• HIV/AIDS
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Set Induction

1. Begin with a question: “How do you feel when you are sick?”
2. Show a picture or video of someone with a cold or flu and ask students to guess what disease it might be.
3. Introduce the topic of communicable diseases, explaining that some diseases spread from one person to another.

Entry Behavior

Students should have a basic understanding of health and well-being, including simple hygiene practices (washing hands, covering their mouth when sneezing).

Learning Resources and Materials

• Flashcards with images of communicable diseases
• Chart paper with prevention tips
• Markers
• Laptop/Projector for video or visual aids
• Handouts of the lesson

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have previously learned about healthy habits like washing hands and eating nutritious foods. Today, they will learn how diseases spread and how to prevent them.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Health literacy
• Communication and collaboration
• Personal hygiene and safety

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Health Education textbooks

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Physical and Health Education
• Health Education: A Guide for Primary Schools

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards depicting different types of communicable diseases
• A projector for video presentation
• Chart paper for writing down key points

Content

1. Meaning of Communicable Diseases

• Communicable diseases are diseases that can be transferred from one person to another.
• A disease is a condition where the body’s normal functions are disrupted.

2. Agents of Communicable Diseases

• Air-borne Diseases: Spread through the air, e.g., flu, tuberculosis.
• Food-borne Diseases: Spread through contaminated food, e.g., cholera, food poisoning.
• Insect-borne Diseases: Spread through insect bites, e.g., malaria, dengue.
• Contagious and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Spread through contact, e.g., HIV/AIDS, syphilis.

3. Signs of Communicable Diseases

• Red or watery eyes
• Skin rash
• Cough
• Frequent passing of faeces (diarrhea)
• Vomiting
• Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
• Headache
• Anaemia (paleness)
• Fever

4. Prevention of Communicable Diseases

• Maintain personal hygiene (wash hands regularly)
• Cover food to protect it from flies
• Protect the body from insect bites (use insect repellent, wear long sleeves)
• Drink clean and safe water
• Do not use the materials of other people (toothbrush, towel)
• Do not spit indiscriminately
• Go for immunization (vaccinations)
• Exposition to Health Education (learn about hygiene and diseases)
• Ensure proper ventilation (do not sleep in overcrowded rooms)
• Proper disposal of refuse and sewage
• Wash fruits thoroughly before eating
• Wash hands before eating food and after using the toilet
• Avoid pre-marital and outside marriage sex to prevent STDs

5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• STDs are infections passed through sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
• These diseases can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sex and by using protection such as condoms.

6. Prevention of HIV/AIDS

• Avoid unprotected sex
• Get tested for HIV
• Use condoms during sex
• Limit the number of sexual partners
• Avoid sharing needles

Evaluation Questions

Fill in the blank with the correct option.

1. Communicable diseases are diseases that can be __________ from one person to another.
   a) Kept
   b) Transferred
   c) Ignored
   d) Prevented
2. __________ diseases spread through the air.
   a) Food-borne
   b) Insect-borne
   c) Air-borne
   d) Sexually transmitted
3. Skin rash and fever are common signs of __________ diseases.
   a) Non-communicable
   b) Air-borne
   c) Food-borne
   d) Communicable
4. The best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is __________.
   a) To ignore them
   b) To maintain personal hygiene
   c) To share food with friends
   d) To avoid washing hands
5. Washing hands before eating food is an important measure for __________ diseases.
   a) Air-borne
   b) Food-borne
   c) Insect-borne
   d) Sexually transmitted
6. STDs are diseases that spread through __________.
   a) Air
   b) Food
   c) Sexual contact
   d) Insects
7. To prevent HIV/AIDS, you should __________.
   a) Sleep in a crowded room
   b) Have unprotected sex
   c) Use condoms during sex
   d) Share needles
8. Which of the following is a common symptom of communicable diseases?
   a) Increased energy
   b) Cough and fever
   c) Improved appetite
   d) Increased strength
9. To avoid insect-borne diseases, you should __________.
   a) Eat contaminated food
   b) Stay inside during the day
   c) Use insect repellent
   d) Touch sick people
10. Vaccination is important for preventing __________ diseases.
    a) Non-communicable
    b) Air-borne
    c) Food-borne
    d) Communicable
11. To prevent food-borne diseases, you should __________.
    a) Eat food from any source
    b) Wash fruits thoroughly before eating
    c) Drink unclean water
    d) Ignore food hygiene
12. What is a sign of communicable diseases?
    a) Excessive sleep
    b) Vomiting and diarrhea
    c) Clear skin
    d) High energy
13. How can you protect yourself from insect-borne diseases?
    a) Eat outside
    b) Use insect repellent
    c) Stay in crowded rooms
    d) Eat food without washing
14. Which of the following is a way to prevent the spread of STDs?
    a) Sleeping in crowded rooms
    b) Sharing personal items
    c) Using protection during sex
    d) Ignoring hygiene
15. Proper disposal of refuse and sewage can prevent the spread of __________ diseases.
    a) Air-borne
    b) Food-borne
    c) Insect-borne
    d) Communicable

Class Activity Discussion

FAQs with Answers

1. What is a communicable disease?
   • A communicable disease is an illness that can be passed from one person to another.
2. How are air-borne diseases spread?
   • Air-borne diseases are spread through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes.
3. What are some signs of communicable diseases?
   • Red eyes, fever, cough, and vomiting are common signs.
4. Why is personal hygiene important in preventing diseases?
   • Personal hygiene helps to remove germs and prevent the spread of diseases.
5. What is the best way to avoid food-borne diseases?
   • Wash your hands before eating and wash fruits thoroughly before eating.
6. How can you protect yourself from insect-borne diseases?
   • Use insect repellent and wear protective clothing.
7. What are STDs and how are they spread?
   • STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, and they spread through sexual contact.
8. What should you do if you think you have a communicable disease?
   • See a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
9. How can immunization help in disease prevention?
   • Vaccines protect you from many serious diseases by building immunity.
10. What are some ways to prevent HIV/AIDS?
    • Use condoms, avoid unprotected sex, and get tested regularly.
11. Can communicable diseases be prevented?
    • Yes, with good hygiene, vaccination, and avoiding risky behaviors.
12. How can good ventilation help prevent diseases?
    • It prevents overcrowding and the spread of germs in closed spaces.
13. What should you do to protect food from contamination?
    • Cover food to prevent flies and wash it before eating.
14. Why should you avoid spitting indiscriminately?
    • Spitting can spread germs and diseases.
15. How can avoiding overcrowded rooms help prevent diseases?
    • It helps to reduce the risk of spreading air-borne diseases.

Teacher’s Activities

1. Greet students and introduce the topic of communicable diseases.
2. Define communicable diseases and explain how they spread.
3. Discuss the signs and symptoms of communicable diseases.
4. Guide students through the prevention methods with practical examples.
5. Engage students in answering questions and clarifying concepts.

Learners’ Activities

1. Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.
2. Participate in discussions and answer questions.
3. Take notes on the prevention methods.
4. Work in pairs to discuss ways to prevent communicable diseases.

Assessment

1. What is a communicable disease?
2. Name two types of communicable diseases.
3. What should you do before eating food?
4. How do air-borne diseases spread?
5. Why is washing your hands important?
6. What is the best way to protect yourself from insect-borne diseases?
7. What should you do if you feel sick?
8. How can vaccination help prevent diseases?
9. What is an STD?
10. How can you prevent HIV/AIDS?

Conclusion

The teacher goes around marking the work and gives feedback on the importance of hygiene and disease prevention. Key concepts are reiterated, and students are reminded to follow the preventive measures discussed.