Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
HUMAN HEALTH
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HUMAN HEALTH
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 2
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Grade code: B8.5.2.1.2
Strand code: 5
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: B8.5.2.1
Indicator code: B8.5.2.1.2
Theme: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Subtheme: HUMAN HEALTH
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Human health is strongly influenced by our daily choices and the environment we live in. In Ghanaian schools and communities, communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis (especially Hepatitis B), and measles can spread when people are exposed to certain risk factors. Understanding these risk factors helps learners make safer decisions, protect their families, and create awareness to reduce illness, stigma, and absenteeism from school.
A. Meaning of Key Terms Health A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not only the absence of disease. Communicable disease A disease that can be passed from one person to another, directly or indirectly. Examples: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, measles, tuberculosis, cholera, COVID-19. Risk factor Any condition, behaviour, or situation that increases the chance of getting a disease. Risk factors do not guarantee infection, but they raise the likelihood. Mode of transmission The pathway through which a disease spreads, e.g.: Airborne/droplet (coughing, sneezing) Blood and body fluids Contaminated food/water Direct contact (skin contact, touching sores) Mother-to-child (during pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding—depends on disease)
B. General Risk Factors for Communicable Diseases (School & Community) These factors commonly increase spread: Poor hand hygiene (not washing hands after toilet, before eating). Overcrowding (packed classrooms, dormitories, public transport). Poor ventilation (closed windows, stuffy rooms). Sharing personal items (razors, toothbrushes, needles, nail cutters). Unsafe sexual practices (unprotected sex, multiple partners). Low immunisation coverage (not taking vaccines). Misinformation and stigma (people hide illness, avoid testing, refuse treatment). Poor sanitation and waste disposal (attracts vectors, contaminates environment). Unsafe handling of blood (no gloves, unsafe first aid). Lack of screening/testing (not knowing status for HIV/hepatitis).
C. Analysing Risk Factors for Specific Diseases (Indicator Focus) 1) HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Main transmission route: Through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Key risk factors (and why they matter): Unprotected sex: HIV can enter through tiny tears in genital tissues. Multiple sexual partners: increases exposure probability. Sharing needles/sharp objects (needles, blades, razors): infected blood can enter another person’s bloodstream. Unsafe blood transfusion (rare when screening is good, but still a risk if blood is not properly tested). Mother-to-child transmission: during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding if mother is not on treatment. Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs): sores/inflammation increase HIV entry.