A SURVEY OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

1.1 Introduction

Illnesses caused by Communicable diseases are common in children in schools and other childcare settings. Socio-economic factors can increase the risk of outbreaks among children and adolescents in these settings. Some infectious diseases are communicable, i.e. can be transmitting ted from one person to another, for example, via droplets, air suspensions, faeces, urine or skin-contact. Optimal control of communicable diseases requires information on the incubation period and period of infectiousness, to inform operative measures such as temporary exclusion from the community to prevent further exposure (Richardson et al., 2001).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Communicable diseases are as old as man and they constitute a great menace to human beings in every part of the world. They are one of the greatest problems facing children today. The diseases are silent killers unlike accident that kills instantly. Man has been trying to get rid of these diseases, for years but efforts made have proved partially abortive. Specifically, pre-school children (0-5 years old) are prone to communicable diseases because of their close interaction with one another, their non-discriminatory behaviours and also their low immunity power, disease that is transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or indirectly through a vector are also called contagious disease.

Communicable disease is often called contagious or infectious disease. Anderson (2000) defined a communicable disease as a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another or from lower animal to higher animal (man). He attributed the cause of these diseases to pathogenic microorganisms. Brain (2007) also noted that communicable diseases are infectious diseases that can be passed from person to another or from an animal to a person.

It is generally believed that nature harbours many microorganism which are very difficult to see with mere naked eyes except with the use of highly powerful microscopic lens. Those microorganisms which harm the human body are called pathogens. Udoh, Fawole, Ajala, Okafo & Nwana (2007) confirmed that pathogens that harm the body are popularly known as germs. These invade the tissues of the human host where they produce the condition called disease. These germs/pathogens (that is virus, bacteria, protozoan and metazoan) are mostly found in dirty places where the temperature and atmosphere support their existence.

Olaoye (2008) classified communicable diseases into four namely water borne disease, air borne diseases, insect borne and other diseases that are transmitted by contacts and arthropods. Brain (2007) stated that the best way of classifying communicable diseases is by their spread, and these are; air borne or droplet infections; faecal borne or gastro-intestina infections; transmission from animal, from insects and by contacts. Barbara and Bauirer (2007) identified three ways of transmitting communicable diseases as; transmission by contact, by vector and by air.

In every nation in the planet, children need the same basic care. As they grow and feed themselves, children must be raised in hygienic and salubrious environments from birth onward. Along with every chance to learn and develop in a hygienic and safe setting, the home should offer warmth, love, and safety from harm. The rights of every child, including the rights to protection from harm and the prevention and treatment of diseases, should be upheld in accordance with the internationally recognised agreement, claims Mcseer (2000).

Basic healthcare is crucial in less developed nations like Nigeria because, in a place with limited resources, it can be the only medical attention a kid receives in their lifetime. In these situations, the mother's parenting abilities are most crucial. She must be able to learn what constitutes excellent health in order to be the kid's primary healthcare provider and be able to give the child the right kind of treatment. In any place in the world, a mother's health and education are undoubtedly critical to her child's wellbeing, but in impoverished areas, they may literally mean the difference between the child's life and death.

The idea that a child's death is not considered to be as significant as an adult's is quite unsettling. The child's existence is so important—who knows, maybe he or she will grow up to be a brilliant doctor or maybe the leader of a state—that this is weird in a way. He has years of production behind him, at least. Though their potential is still unrealized, children are regarded as a country's greatest asset. The youngster is currently simply another mouth to feed and a bothersome distraction. Every human being becomes sick from an infection at some point in their lives. Diseases that are contagious are infections that can spread from person to person.

Therefore, in Kwara State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to Survey of Primary School Students’ Knowledge of Communicable Diseases.

1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed that elementary school students are exposed to environmental risks in both their homes and classrooms, it is important to understand the prevalence of communicable illnesses among them. One main obstacle preventing students from attending class frequently or focusing fully on their academics is illness. Anytime one physiological system is compromised, including the brain, the entire body is impacted.

For elementary school students, this means that if a child is unwell, the teaching-learning process breaks down. Because of this, everyone who is involved needs to work together to make sure that schoolchildren are always in good health and, in particular, are not afflicted with any communicable diseases.

Furthermore, school children's exposure to communicable illnesses is influenced by their home environment. Education, whether official or informal, is highly valued in African culture. Using formal education as a case study, the house and surroundings have a significant impact on a child's hygiene system at home and at school. Since a strong foundation for future communicable disease prevention starts at home, this may avoid certain infectious diseases that may have impacted the students. Inadequate attention given at home can occasionally lead to unhealthy competition among students since it negatively impacts the health of the kid in both the home and school environments.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to Survey the Primary School Students’ Knowledge of Communicable Diseases in Kwara State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to:

1. Determine ways to address the issues of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area;
2. Ascertain the effect of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area;
3. Determine the causes of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area; and
4. Investigate the effect of poverty of parents to the spread of communicable diseases among primary school students.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does lack of parental care lead to spread of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area?
• Does lack of health education lead to spread of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area?
• Can overcrowding of pupils in classrooms lead to the incidence of communicable disease among primary school students in the study area?
• Does poverty of parents lead to spread of communicable diseases among children?

1.6 Significance of Study

The results of this study will give parents, instructors, and student’s important knowledge about communicable illnesses. Students will gain knowledge about the origins, signs, management, and prevention of communicable illnesses. It would help educate parents on how to handle their environment and the health of their children.

This study will also help school management in preventing the spread of communicable disease in school and how to help children suffering from such problems. Moreover it is hoped that it would help teachers to know how to handle such children when they experience difficulties.

Additionally, this research project will inform parents, instructors, and students on the importance of maintaining a setting that encourages healthy living. The incidence and prevalence of infectious illnesses can be decreased by having a solid understanding of both personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.

Furthermore, the research will help the school's administration and authorities develop effective plans that will advance students' understanding of communicable illnesses and overall health education. The government will also be urged to provide sufficient facilities and medical staff in order to give students' health more priority.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of this research is focused on the Survey the Primary School Students’ Knowledge of Communicable Diseases. This study is restricted to pupils from Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure:This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Bacteria:

Constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micro-metres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from sphere to rods and spirals. Bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on earth, and are present in most of its habitats. Bacterial inhabit soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, and the deep portions of earth's crust.

Communicable:

It refers to diseases that are able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another contagious or infectious.

Disease:

A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury. A disease is a particular abnormal, pathological condition that affects part or all of an organism.