Back to: Jss1 Physical and Health Education (BST)

Introduction

Personal, school and community health are three interconnected areas that play a critical role in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.

Personal health refers to the individual’s overall well-being, which encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of health. Personal health involves making conscious choices and taking actions that promote a healthy lifestyle, such as engaging in regular physical activity, consuming a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding harmful behaviours such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

School health refers to the promotion of healthy behaviours and habits among students, teachers, and staff in the school environment. This includes providing health education, promoting healthy eating and physical activity, ensuring a safe and healthy school environment, and addressing the physical and mental health needs of students.

Community health refers to the health of a population in a particular geographic area or community. Community health involves addressing the health needs of the population, promoting healthy behaviours, and addressing health disparities. It involves collaborations between various stakeholders such as healthcare providers, community-based organizations, government agencies, and community members to promote healthy living, prevent disease, and provide access to healthcare services.

Types of Family

A family is a group of individuals who are closely connected through birth, marriage, or adoption. The different types of families include:

1. Nuclear family: A family unit composed of a husband, wife, and their children. This is also known as a monogamous family.
2. Polygamous family: A family unit where there is one husband, multiple wives, and their children.
3. Extended family: A family unit that includes multiple family groups, such as grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, children, and grandchildren.
4. Polyandrous family: A family unit composed of one wife and multiple husbands, along with their children.
5. Patrilineal family: A family system that focuses on the father’s side of the family and the relationships within that side.
6. Matrilineal family: A family system that focuses on the mother’s side of the family and the relationships within that side.

Duties of Members of The Family

In order for a family to live together peacefully and harmoniously, each member must fulfil their specific duties. The father, as the head of the family, is responsible for providing for the family’s physical, material, and spiritual needs. He also shares the responsibility of raising responsible children with the mother. The mother, on the other hand, is primarily responsible for the proper upbringing of the young members of the family. She not only cooks meals but also ensures that the home is in excellent condition.

The children, as the future of the family, have the responsibility of carrying on the family name. It is essential for them to not only obey their parents but also assist them with errands. Additionally, they are expected to take care of their parents during their old age.

 Puberty

Puberty is a natural process of physical and psychological changes that occur during adolescence, typically between the ages of 8 and 14 in girls, and between 9 and 16 in boys. These changes are driven by hormonal changes in the body, particularly the increase in sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

In girls, puberty usually begins with the development of breast buds, followed by the growth of pubic and underarm hair. Menstruation typically starts around 2-3 years after the onset of puberty. In boys, puberty begins with the enlargement of the testicles, followed by the growth of pubic and facial hair, the deepening of the voice, and the development of muscles.

Along with these physical changes, puberty also brings about emotional and social changes as adolescents begin to establish their identities and relationships with others. This period can be challenging for some adolescents as they navigate the complexities of growing up and dealing with changes in their bodies and relationships. However, it is an important stage in human development and marks the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy refers to a situation where a female under the age of 20 becomes pregnant. Teenage pregnancy can have significant impacts on both the mother and child’s lives, as well as the wider community.

To address teenage pregnancy, it is important to provide comprehensive sex education, access to contraception, and support for young mothers and their families. Additionally, efforts should be made to address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy.

The Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy 

1. Health complications for the mother: Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as hypertension, preterm labour, and anaemia.
2. Limited access to education: Teenage mothers often have to drop out of school to care for their children, which limits their opportunities for education and future employment.
3. Financial difficulties: Teenagers are less likely to be financially stable, which makes it harder for them to support a child.
4. Emotional stress: Teenage mothers may experience emotional stress due to the challenges of caring for a child at a young age, which can lead to depression and anxiety.
5. Negative impact on future relationships: Teenage pregnancy can negatively impact future relationships due to the stress and responsibilities of parenthood.
6. Social stigma: Teenage mothers may face social stigma and discrimination, which can impact their mental health and well-being.
7. Increased risk of child abuse: Teenage mothers are more likely to experience stress and have limited knowledge of child-rearing, which increases the risk of child abuse.
8. Lower educational attainment for the child: Children of teenage mothers are less likely to complete their education, which can negatively impact their future opportunities.
9. Increased risk of poverty: Teenage pregnancy can lead to poverty, as teenage mothers may struggle to support themselves and their children.
10. Health complications for the child: Babies born to teenage mothers are more likely to have health complications, such as low birth weight and developmental problems.
11. Increased risk of teenage pregnancy: Teenage mothers are more likely to have another teenage pregnancy, which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities.
12. Negative impact on the community: Teenage pregnancy can have a negative impact on the community, as it can lead to higher rates of poverty, crime, and social issues.