Disease Preventive Measures: Meaning, Signs and Symptoms of Diseases, and Preventive Measures of Diseases Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 9 Physical and Health Education

DISEASES PREVENTIVE MEASURES: MEANING, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISEASES, AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF DISEASES 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 4 – THIRD TERM – WEEK 9

THEME – HEALTH EDUCATION (DISEASE PREVENTIVE MEASURES) 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Spread of Diseases: Ways Diseases Are Spread with Specific Examples and Symptoms Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 8 Physical and Health Education

TOPIC – DISEASE PREVENTIVE MEASURES 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning, Signs and Symptoms of Diseases

3. Meaning and Importance Preventive Measures of Diseases

4. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

5. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Define disease preventive measures.

2. Explain the meaning of signs and symptoms of diseases.

3. Identify common signs and symptoms of diseases.

4. State preventive measures against diseases.

5. Explain the importance of preventing diseases.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about the spread of diseases, the ways diseases are spread, and the symptoms of common diseases.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by teaching pupils the preventive measures they can take to avoid diseases, recognise the signs and symptoms of illness early, and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to stay healthy.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Charts showing common diseases and their symptoms

2. Pictures of healthy and sick people

3. Handwashing materials (soap, water, towel)

4. Flashcards

5. Whiteboard and marker

6. Videos (optional)

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Diseases can make people weak and unhealthy, but many diseases can be prevented by practising good hygiene and healthy habits. Learning how to prevent diseases helps us protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from illness.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of disease preventive measures, the signs and symptoms of diseases, and the ways to prevent diseases.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF DISEASES

A disease is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the body or mind, making a person unhealthy or sick.

Diseases may be caused by pathogens (germs) such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, or by other factors such as poor nutrition, unhealthy lifestyles, or inherited conditions.

A person with a disease may show signs (physical changes that can be seen) and experience symptoms (feelings or problems noticed by the sick person).

COMMON SIGNS OF DISEASES

Signs of diseases are the physical changes in the body that can be seen or observed by other people or by a health worker.

COMMON SIGNS OF DISEASES

1. High body temperature (Fever) – The body feels unusually hot.

2. Skin rash – Red spots or patches appear on the skin.

3. Swelling – A part of the body becomes larger than normal.

4. Red eyes – The eyes become red or watery.

5. Pale skin – The skin looks lighter than normal because of illness.

6. Persistent coughing – Continuous coughing that lasts for several days.

7. Runny nose – Mucus flows from the nose.

8. Weight loss – The body becomes thinner without trying.

9. Vomiting – Throwing up food or liquid from the stomach.

10. Diarrhoea – Passing watery stool frequently.

11. Difficulty in breathing – Trouble breathing normally.

12. Weak appearance – The person looks tired, weak, or unhealthy.

LESSON 2 – COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DISEASES

Symptoms of diseases are the feelings or problems a sick person experiences and describes. They may not always be seen by other people.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DISEASES

1. Headache – Pain in the head.

2. Body weakness – Feeling tired and lacking energy.

3. Stomach pain – Pain or discomfort in the stomach.

4. Sore throat – Pain or irritation in the throat.

5. Loss of appetite – Not feeling like eating.

6. Nausea – Feeling like vomiting.

7. Dizziness – Feeling faint or unsteady.

8. Body aches – Pain in the muscles or joints.

9. Difficulty in breathing – Feeling short of breath.

10. Chills – Feeling very cold and shivering.

12. Tiredness (Fatigue) – Feeling unusually weak or exhausted.

13. Itching – An uncomfortable feeling that makes a person want to scratch the skin.

LESSON 3 – MEANING OF DISEASE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Disease preventive measures are the actions and practices people follow to prevent diseases and stay healthy.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF DISEASES

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water.

2. Drink clean and safe water.

3. Eat clean, fresh, and properly cooked food.

4. Keep your home, school, and surroundings clean.

5. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

6. Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

7. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, combs, and toothbrushes.

8..Receive recommended immunisations (vaccinations).

9. Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

10. Visit a health centre or hospital when you feel sick.

IMPORTANCE OF DISEASE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

1. It helps to prevent diseases.

2. It promotes good health.

3. It reduces the spread of infections.

4. It saves lives.

5. It keeps homes, schools, and communities healthy.

6. It reduces medical expenses.

7. It improves regular school attendance and learning.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT

A. Choose the Correct Answer

1. Disease preventive measures are actions taken to ______.

A. spread diseases

B. prevent diseases

C. cause diseases

D. treat injuries

2. Which of the following is a sign of disease?

A. Fever

B. Headache

C. Tiredness

D. Stomach pain

3. Which of the following is a symptom of disease?

A. Skin rash

B. Swelling

C. Headache

D. Red eyes

4. Which of these helps to prevent diseases?

A. Washing hands regularly with soa

B. Drinking dirty water

C. Sharing toothbrushes

D. Eating uncovered food

5. A disease is a condition that ______.

A. keeps the body healthy

B. makes people stronger

C. improves eyesight

D. affects the normal functioning of the body

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. A ______ is a physical change in the body that can be seen.

7. A ______ is a feeling or problem experienced by a sick person.

8. Disease ______ measures help to stop diseases from spreading.

9. Eating ______ food helps prevent diseases.

10. Sleeping under a ______ net helps prevent malaria.

C. True or False

11. Headache is a common sign of disease. ______

12. Fever is a common symptom of disease. ______

13. Keeping the environment clean helps prevent diseases. ______

14. Sharing towels and toothbrushes is a good health habit. ______

15. Immunisation helps protect people from some diseases. _____

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Fever – A. Wash hands regularly with soap

17. Headache – B. A common sign of disease

18. Clean environment – C. A common symptom of disease

19. Mosquito net – D. Helps prevent malaria

20. Hand washing – E. Helps prevent the spread of diseases

ANSWER KEYS

1. B – Prevent diseases

2. A – Fever

3. C – Headache

4. A – Washing hands regularly with soap

5. D – Affects the normal functioning of the body

6. Sign

7. Symptom

8. Preventive

9. Clean (Safe)

10. Mosquito

11. False

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. True

16. B – Fever → A common sign of disease

17. C – Headache → A common symptom of disease

18. E – Clean environment → Helps prevent the spread of diseases

19. D – Mosquito net → Helps prevent malaria

20. A – Handwashing → Wash hands regularly with soap

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that disease preventive measures are actions and healthy practices that help to prevent diseases and keep people healthy.

They also learned that a disease is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the body and makes a person unhealthy.

Pupils learned the difference between signs and symptoms of diseases:

• Signs are physical changes that can be seen or observed, such as fever, skin rash, swelling, and red eyes.

• Symptoms are feelings or problems experienced by a sick person, such as headache, stomach pain, body weakness, sore throat, and loss of appetite.

Finally, pupils learned several preventive measures against diseases, including:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and clean water.

• Drinking clean and safe water.

• Eating clean and properly cooked food.

• Keeping the environment clean.

• Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Receiving recommended immunisations.

• Visiting a health centre when sick.

Pupils understood that practising these healthy habits helps to prevent diseases, reduce the spread of infections, and promote good health.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher asks pupils to mention some common diseases they know and how people can avoid becoming sick.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention common diseases and discuss ways of staying healthy.

Step 2: Meaning of Disease Preventive Measures – The teacher explains the meaning of disease preventive measures and why they are important.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of disease preventive measures in their own words.

Step 3: Meaning of Diseases – The teacher explains the meaning of diseases and discusses how diseases affect the normal functioning of the body.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of diseases.

Step 4: Signs and Symptoms of Diseases – The teacher explains the difference between signs and symptoms of diseases and gives examples of each.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify common signs and symptoms of diseases.

Step 5: Preventive Measures of Diseases – The teacher discusses the different ways to prevent diseases, such as:

• Washing hands regularly.

• Drinking clean water.

• Eating clean food.

• Keeping the environment clean.

• Sleeping under mosquito nets.

• Receiving immunisation.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention and discuss the preventive measures of diseases.

Step 6: Group Activity – The teacher divides pupils into groups and assigns each group to discuss one preventive measure and explain how it helps prevent diseases.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss in groups and present their answers to the class.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meaning of disease preventive measures, diseases, signs and symptoms of diseases, and preventive measures.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils summarize the lesson by answering oral questions.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the lesson.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and participate actively in the lesson evaluation.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Drug Education: Drug Use and Its Consequences, Ways of Taking Drugs, Meaning, Types and Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 10 Physical and Health Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What are disease preventive measures?

2. What is a disease?

3. Explain the difference between a sign and a symptom of a disease.

4. Mention five common signs of diseases.

5. Mention five common symptoms of diseases.

6. State five preventive measures against diseases.

7. Why is it important to wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water?

8. Why should people drink clean and safe water?

9. State three importance of disease preventive measures.

10. Demonstrate the correct way to wash your hands to help prevent diseases.