Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

Lesson Plan: Understanding Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

Subject: Health Education
Class: Primary 4
Term: 1st Term
Week: 5
Age: 9-10 years
Topic: Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
Sub-topic: Meaning, Causes, Prevention, and Examples
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Define communicable and non-communicable diseases.
2. List at least 5 examples of each type of disease.
3. Identify the causes and prevention methods of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
4. Demonstrate understanding by participating in a class discussion and answering evaluation questions.

Keywords

• Communicable Diseases
• Non-communicable Diseases
• Pathogens
• Prevention
• Hygiene
• Vaccination
• Contamination
• Chronic Diseases

Set Induction

• The teacher begins by asking, “Have you ever been sick after someone else in your house was sick? What do you think caused it?”
• After some responses, the teacher explains that diseases can be transferred from one person to another (communicable diseases) or may not be passed on at all (non-communicable diseases).

Entry Behaviour

• Students should already be familiar with the general idea of illness (from home or previous lessons).
• They will have heard of common diseases like the flu or malaria.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Chalkboard/whiteboard
• Markers
• Pictures or flashcards of diseases (malaria, flu, cancer, heart disease, etc.)
• Chart showing the life cycle of mosquitoes
• A model of the human body (optional)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

• The teacher asks, “What are some diseases you know?”
• Students discuss common illnesses like cold, malaria, and chickenpox.
• The teacher then connects these to the broader categories of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical Thinking: Identifying how diseases spread and how to prevent them.
• Communication: Engaging in discussion and answering questions.
• Health Literacy: Understanding how diseases can be prevented and treated.

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Health Education textbooks
• Flashcards with disease names and pictures

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Primary Schools
• Health Education Textbook for Primary 4
• World Health Organization (WHO) website for updated health information

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards of communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Chart showing the transmission of diseases (e.g., malaria, HIV)
• Flashcards of prevention methods

Content

Definition and Explanation of Communicable Diseases:

1. Communicable diseases are diseases that can be passed from one person to another.
2. They are caused by germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
3. Examples include malaria, HIV, and the flu.
4. They spread through direct or indirect contact (air, water, food, or insects).
5. Preventing these diseases requires hygiene, vaccination, and avoiding infected people.

Examples of Communicable Diseases:

1. Malaria (spread by mosquitoes)
2. Tuberculosis (spread by coughing and sneezing)
3. Chickenpox (spread by direct contact or air)
4. HIV/AIDS (spread by sexual contact, needles)
5. Influenza (spread by coughing or sneezing)

Definition and Explanation of Non-communicable Diseases:

1. Non-communicable diseases cannot be passed from one person to another.
2. They are long-term (chronic) conditions that are often caused by lifestyle factors or genetic factors.
3. Examples include heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
4. These diseases often have multiple causes, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.

Examples of Non-communicable Diseases:

1. Cancer (often caused by smoking, poor diet)
2. Heart disease (caused by poor diet, lack of exercise)
3. Diabetes (can be due to genetics or poor lifestyle)
4. Stroke (caused by high blood pressure, smoking)
5. Chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma, caused by pollution)

Evaluation Questions

1. What is the main difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?
   a) Communicable diseases can be passed from one person to another
   b) Non-communicable diseases are caused by bacteria
   c) Communicable diseases cannot be treated
   d) Non-communicable diseases are always inherited
2. Which of these is an example of a communicable disease?
   a) Cancer
   b) Malaria
   c) Diabetes
   d) Heart disease
3. What is the cause of malaria?
   a) Bacteria
   b) A virus
   c) A parasite
   d) Poor hygiene
4. Which of these diseases can be prevented by vaccination?
   a) Diabetes
   b) Malaria
   c) Chickenpox
   d) Cancer
5. Which of the following is a way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases?
   a) Sharing personal items
   b) Washing hands regularly
   c) Eating junk food
   d) Smoking
6. What does HIV cause?
   a) Malaria
   b) AIDS
   c) Flu
   d) Typhoid
7. Which of the following diseases is caused by poor lifestyle?
   a) Influenza
   b) Heart disease
   c) Tuberculosis
   d) Chickenpox
8. How can the spread of HIV/AIDS be prevented?
   a) Vaccination
   b) Avoiding mosquitoes
   c) Abstinence from sex
   d) Eating healthy food
9. What does “non-communicable” mean?
   a) It can spread from one person to another
   b) It cannot spread from one person to another
   c) It is caused by poor hygiene
   d) It is always fatal
10. What is the best way to prevent non-communicable diseases like heart disease?
    a) Washing hands
    b) Regular exercise and balanced diet
    c) Taking medicine
    d) Staying indoors
11. Which disease is transmitted by mosquito bites?
    a) Chickenpox
    b) Tuberculosis
    c) Malaria
    d) Cancer
12. What is one cause of cancer?
    a) Lack of exercise
    b) Exposure to UV rays
    c) Mosquito bites
    d) Poor hygiene
13. Which disease is caused by a parasite?
    a) Malaria
    b) Cancer
    c) Diabetes
    d) Heart disease
14. How is tuberculosis primarily spread?
    a) Through mosquito bites
    b) By air through coughing and sneezing
    c) By eating contaminated food
    d) By sharing personal items
15. Which of these diseases is NOT communicable?
    a) HIV/AIDS
    b) Flu
    c) Diabetes
    d) Chickenpox

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)

1. Q: Can a non-communicable disease ever be contagious?
   A: No, non-communicable diseases cannot spread from person to person.
2. Q: How can malaria be prevented?
   A: By using mosquito nets, clearing stagnant water, and using insect repellents.
3. Q: What are some examples of diseases spread by mosquitoes?
   A: Malaria and dengue fever.
4. Q: Can communicable diseases be treated?
   A: Yes, many communicable diseases can be treated with medicines or vaccines.
5. Q: What is the best way to avoid getting a cold?
   A: Wash your hands, avoid close contact with sick people, and cover your mouth when coughing.
6. Q: How does poor diet lead to non-communicable diseases?
   A: Poor diet can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
7. Q: Can you catch cancer from someone else?
   A: No, cancer is not contagious.
8. Q: Why is it important to get vaccinated?
   A: Vaccination helps prevent many communicable diseases.
9. Q: How can you protect yourself from diseases caused by insects?
   A: By using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
10. Q: Can you spread a disease even if you don’t feel sick?
    A: Yes, some diseases like the flu can be spread even when you don’t have symptoms.
11. Q: What is a chronic disease?
    A: A chronic disease is a long-lasting condition like diabetes or heart disease.
12. Q: How do diseases like the flu spread?
    A: Through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes.
13. Q: How can HIV/AIDS be transmitted?
    A: Through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during birth.
14. Q: How can you help stop the spread of communicable diseases?
    A: Wash your hands, stay home when sick, and avoid sharing personal items.
15. Q: Are mosquitoes always dangerous?
    A: No, only certain types of mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria.

Teacher’s Activities

1. Greet students and introduce the topic.
2. Present the definitions of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
3. Show pictures of diseases to explain their differences.
4. Guide students through the causes and prevention methods.
5. Lead a class discussion with examples.
6. Ask the evaluation questions and guide the students in answering.
7. Review key points before concluding the lesson.

Learners’ Activities

1. Listen to the teacher’s explanation.
2. Participate in class discussion and provide examples.
3. Answer the evaluation questions.
4. Work in groups to discuss preventive measures.
5. Participate in class activity (FAQs).

Assessment

1. What is a communicable disease?
2. Name three examples of non-communicable diseases.
3. How can malaria be prevented?
4. What is the main cause of heart disease?
5. How do diseases like the flu spread?
6. Name a disease caused by a parasite.
7. What is the best way to avoid getting sick from a cold?
8. Can you get HIV/AIDS from casual contact?
9. Why is vaccination important?
10. What is the role of hygiene in disease prevention?

Conclusion

• The teacher circulates the class, marking work and giving feedback.
• Summarize the key points of the lesson and encourage students to practice good hygiene and health habits.