The surrounding in which we live is known as the environment. It is important to keep our surroundings clean to prevent illnesses and the spread of diseases.
Objective
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to explain the concept of environmental hygiene.
Definition of Drainage
Drainage is the removal of water from houses and buildings such as rainwater and wastewater. Stagnant water around houses and buildings is a health hazard. It is therefore important to draw it away appropriately.
Types of Drainage
- Free drainage
- Open drainage
- Concealed drainage
Free Drainage
It is a method of disposing water anywhere in the compound.
Open Drainage
It is a method of disposing water by directing it into gutters or a simple trench dug on the ground. The trench can also be well constructed with materials such as cement, plastic, or metal.
Concealed Drainage
In this type of drainage, water is drawn away from the house through pipes and covered drains.
Common Communicable Diseases
Introduction
Communicable diseases are those that are easily passed on from person to person or from host to person. A host refers to a carrier of disease-causing organisms (germs). The common communicable diseases are:
Objectives
- State the common communicable diseases.
- Identify causes of common communicable diseases.
- Explain the mode of transmission of dysentery, typhoid, and cholera.
One common transmission mode of dysentery, typhoid, and cholera is through contaminated water.
Common Communicable Diseases and Causes
- Malaria: Caused by a parasite spread by the Anopheles mosquito.
- Typhoid: Caused by bacteria found in urine or feces.
- Cholera: Caused by bacteria found in contaminated water and food.
- Dysentery: Caused by protozoa (amoeba) found in human feces.
- Scabies: Caused by mites found in places with poor personal hygiene.
- Bilharzia: Caused by parasitic snails found in fresh water.
- Ringworms: Caused by fungi which affect the skin.
- Tuberculosis (TB): Caused by bacteria affecting different parts of the body such as the lungs.
Signs and Symptoms
- Severe abdominal pains
- Fever
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Violent vomiting
- Acute diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- General body weakness
Prevention and Control of Dysentery, Cholera, and Typhoid
- Practice proper disposal of human waste.
- Treat water for domestic use.
- Observe proper hygiene practices.
- Ensure regular medical checkups for food handlers.
Skin Diseases
Scabies is a skin disease which manifests itself in the form of rashes that form blisters and sores. Ringworm is a skin disease which manifests itself in the form of whitish round rings on the infected area.
- Itching of the infected areas
- Whitish round ring(s) on the infected area
- Loss of hair on the infected area
Prevention and Control of Skin Diseases
- Practice personal hygiene.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as combs, clothes, and others.
- Disinfect or sterilize personal items occasionally.
- Seek medical attention.
Laundry Work
Laundry work is the process of washing, drying, finishing, and storing household articles and clothes to maintain their original state.
Washing Equipment
Washing equipment includes buckets, basins, a laundry brush, washing machines, and boilers. A large sufuria can be used as a boiler.
Drying Equipment
Drying equipment includes a clothesline, pegs, drying racks, clothes horse, and various types of driers.
Finishing Equipment
Finishing equipment includes irons, a calendaring machine, an ironing table or ironing board, and a sleeve board.
Storage Equipment
Storage equipment includes chest of drawers and a wardrobe, which may either be free-standing or built-in, suitcases, wooden or metal boxes. There is also improvised storage equipment which may include a carton box, a string for hanging items, nails on a wooden board on the wall, hooks on the wall, organizers, or a clothes stand.
Laundry Equipment
For laundry work to be effectively done, you need sufficient laundry equipment. These include:
- Washing equipment
- Drying equipment
- Finishing equipment
- Storage equipment
Soap
Soap is made from natural products such as animal fat or vegetable oil and an alkali.
Soapless Detergents
Soapless detergents are made purely from chemicals such as petroleum by-products.
Detergents
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to distinguish between soaps and soapless detergents.
Laundry Agents
These are substances other than soap that aid in laundry work. They include:
Objectives
- Identify laundry agents.
- State their uses.
Laundry Processes
These refer to the series of activities carried out in cleaning and maintenance of clothes. The processes include:
- Sorting
- Repairing
- Soaking/steeping
- Rinsing
- Drying
- Finishing
- Storage
Laundering Various Articles
i. Tea-stained white cotton tablecloth
ii. Fast coloured baby’s cotton bed sheet
iii. Loose coloured lesso/khanga
iv. Knitted woollen sweater
v. Synthetic blouse
Describe how to launder different fabrics appropriately.
Describe how to carry out special treatment in laundry work.
Nutritional Disorders
Nutritional disorders are caused by insufficient or excess intake of a given nutrient(s). Some of the nutritional disorders are:
- Kwashiorkor
- Marasmus
- Scurvy
- Goitre
- Rickets
- Osteomalacia
There are other nutritional disorders associated with lifestyles. These include:
- Gout
- Obesity
- Anorexia nervosa
Background Information
Definition of Terms
Food: Any substance, liquid or solid, taken into the body to maintain life and growth.
Food Nutrients: Chemical components of food that serve a variety of functions in the body.
Nutrition: The process by which the body receives and uses the nutrients contained in food for different functions, including digestion, absorption, and utilization.
Balanced Diet: A meal that contains all the nutrients in the right proportions.
Malnutrition: Inadequate or excessive intake of nutrients.
Classification of Nutrients
By the end of the topic, you should be able to:
- Identify the common nutritional disorders.
- Identify nutritional disorders associated with lifestyles.
It is important to eat good quality food and in sufficient quantities to maintain good health.
Kwashiorkor
Cause: Kwashiorkor is caused by lack of proteins in the diet. It usually affects children below five years who stop breastfeeding early and are weaned on foods lacking in proteins.
Signs and Symptoms
- Hair is thin, scanty, brown, and silky.
- Swelling of the belly, face, hands, and feet. When pressed, the swollen part retains the finger’s impression for a while.
- The skin looks pale; in extreme cases, it peels and forms raw wounds.
- Growth is retarded.
- Child is dull and inactive.
Prevention
- Breastfeed for as long as possible.
- Wean on protein-rich foods such as milk, eggs, fish, legumes, and tender meat.
Marasmus
Marasmus is a deficiency disorder caused by total starvation over a period of time. It can also be referred to as protein-energy malnutrition caused by lack of all nutrients.
Signs and Symptoms
- Extreme loss of weight; the person is skinny and may weigh half of the expected weight.
- Hair may appear normal, but the head looks large compared to the body.
- Eyes protrude; the person is generally alert or anxious.
- The ribs are clearly visible.
- A child looks like an elderly person because the face is wrinkled.
- There is no fat under the skin, especially around the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and belly, which are wrinkled.
Prevention
Eat adequate balanced meals and ensure hygienic conditions to prevent worm infestation.
Scurvy
Scurvy is a nutritional disorder common among people who rarely eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Cause: Scurvy is caused by lack of Vitamin C, which is found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C maintains the health of body mucous membranes and makes them resistant to infections.
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Unhealthy skin
- Weak and painful joints
- Anemia may develop
- Blood in the stool and urine
- Slow healing of wounds
Prevention: Eat foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, guavas, and green leafy vegetables.
Goitre
Goitre is characterized by swelling of the thyroid gland, situated at the lower front part of the neck.
Cause: This disorder is caused by a deficiency of iodine in the diet.
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Hypothermia (feeling cold)
- Dry and rough skin
- Lack of energy and fatigue
- Mother may give birth to a mentally handicapped child
- Trembling and nervousness
- Bulging eyes
Prevention: Take a diet rich in iodine.
Rickets
This is a condition in which the bones become weak and deformed.
Cause: Rickets is a vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus deficiency disorder that mainly occurs in children.
- Weakness of bones characterized by bow-legs or knock-knees
- Poor development of teeth
Prevention: Eat a diet rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Expose the body to sunshine. Eat foods fortified with vitamin D, e.g., margarine.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is the equivalent of rickets in adults.
Cause: Osteomalacia is caused by inadequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D and mainly occurs in adults.
- Bones soften, become distorted, and fracture easily
- The legs, spine, thorax, and pelvis are deformed
- Pain in the bones, legs, and lower part of the back
- General weakness and difficulty in climbing stairs
In severe cases, one experiences involuntary twitching of muscles, especially those of the face and hands.
Prevention: Increase intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Eat foods fortified with vitamin D. Expose the body to the sun.
Gout
Gout is a disorder associated with an affluent lifestyle.
Cause: Gout results from a high intake of roasted red meat and alcohol.
- Redness and swelling of affected joints
- Very severe pain in the affected joints
- Fever, lower back pain, and vomiting
Prevention: Avoid too much roasted red meat and alcohol. Take plenty of water.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition whereby one takes in excess calories than the body requires. The excess calories are converted into fat and stored under the skin and around vital internal organs.
Causes:
- Excess intake of carbohydrates and fats
- Lack of adequate exercise
- Eating junk food
- Sedentary lifestyles
Signs and Symptoms:
- Excessive body weight
- Tiredness and shortness of breath
- Complications such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension may arise
Prevention:
- Avoid junk food
- Avoid excess intake of carbohydrates and fats
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a well-balanced diet
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a psychological problem where someone gets a distorted image of oneself as being fat and unacceptable, hence refuses to eat at all.
Cause: Anorexia nervosa is caused by refusal to take food leading to thinness. It is common among teenagers and young women and is fatal.
- Sudden weight loss
- Depression
- Feeling overweight even when thin and underweight
- Avoidance of food
Prevention: Eat a balanced diet. Counsel individuals to learn to accept themselves as they are.
Seams
Overlaid Seam
Video clip showing the working of an overlaid seam. This seam is also known as a lapped seam.
Double Stitched Seam
Video clip showing the working of a double stitched seam. This seam is also known as a machine fell seam.
Open Seam
Video clip showing the working of an open seam. It is popular as it is a base for most seams. It is fast to work and can be used on all areas of garment construction.
French Seam
The French seam is a strong inconspicuous seam suitable for fabrics that fray a lot.
A seam is used for joining two or more pieces of fabric together neatly and securely using stitches. Seams are divided into two:
Point the cursor on each of the categories to view the types of seams.
By the end of the topic, you should be able to:
- Define a seam.
- List commonly used seams.
- Describe how to make the following seams:
- Overlaid seam
- Double stitched seam
- Open seam
- French seam
Body Measurements, Pattern Symbols, and Markings
Well-fitting garments are a result of accurately taken measurements. This enhances one’s appearance.
Body Measurements
Before drafting or buying a pattern, it is necessary to have accurate body measurements. Ask someone to take your body measurements for accuracy and good fit. Body measurements can be divided into two categories:
- Blouse/Shirt measurements
- Skirt/Trouser measurements
Objective
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to explain how to take body measurements accurately.
Upper Arm Width
This is taken around the fullest part of the arm.
Wrist Measurement
This is measured around the wrist and two fingers are inserted for ease.
Bust
This is measured at the fullest part of the bust with the tape measure raised at the back and two fingers inserted at the front for ease.
Waist
This is measured around the natural waist while inserting two fingers in the tape measure.
Hip Measurement
This is measured at the widest part of the hips with two fingers inserted in the tape measure.
Here the hand is placed on the waist and the measurement is taken from the shoulder to the elbow down to the wrist. This is done to avoid discomfort at the elbow when the hand is folded.
Blouse/Shirt measurements include:
- Bust
- Waist
- Hip
- Chest width
- Back width
- Back length (Nape to waist)
- Front length
- Shoulder width
- Sleeve length
- Upper arm width
- Wrist
Full Length
This is measured from the shoulder to the desired length.
Skirt Length
This is measured from the waist to the desired length.
Outer Leg/Trouser Length
This is measured from the waist to the desired length on the side.
Inner Leg/Trouser Length
This is measured from the crotch to the desired length on the inner side of the leg.
Crotch Depth
This is taken when one is seated on a flat hard surface for accuracy. It is measured from the waist to the surface of the seat.
Skirt/Trouser measurements include:
- Waist to hip (Skirt)
- Skirt length
- Crotch (for Trouser/shorts)
- Full length
- Outer leg length
- Inner leg length
Pattern Symbols and Markings
Pattern symbols and markings are used as a guide in garment construction.
Objectives
- Identify pattern symbols and markings.
- State the use of pattern symbols and markings.
Consumer Awareness
Objective: By the end of the lesson, you should be able to define the terms consumer, goods, services, and consumer education.
Shopping
The video clip shows a consumer purchasing goods in a supermarket.
Shoe Shining
The video clip shows a service being rendered.
Sources of Consumer Awareness
Information on products and services can be obtained from various sources and through various methods. A consumer gets information from the following sources:
Informative
This type of advertising only informs the consumer of what products or services are available. It may also enlighten consumers about new uses of products that they already know of.
Persuasive
This type of advertisement convinces consumers to buy a particular good or service other than the one they are used to. It tells consumers that they really need the good or service and that they should buy it.
Competitive
This type of advertisement is common where two competitors are selling the same good or service. It emphasizes that the goods or services of a particular company are of better quality than similar ones from another company.
