WAEC SYLLABUS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION 2021/2022 (WASSCE)

CONTENTS

NOTES

1. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION
   1. Meaning and setting for health Education.
      1. Meaning
      2. Setting:

1. home-based;
2. school-based;
3. community-based;
4. health facility-based;
5. work place-based.

1. Meaning of health promotion.

1. HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

1. Cells and tissues of Human Body.

1. Types of cell:
   1. somatic cells;
   2. sex cells.

1. Cell division:
   1. Mitosis;

   (ii) Meiosis

2. Cell differentiation:

   Formation of tissues,

Organs and Systems.

CONTENTS

1. Growth and development

1. Sense Organs
   1. Structure and functions of the following

      sense organs:

      1. eye;
      2. ear;
      3. skin;
      4. nose;
      5. tongue.

1. Systems of the Body
   1. Skeletal system and muscles
      1. The general plan of the axial and appendicular skeleton.

      2. Functions of the skeletal system.

1. Joints: Structures and types.

1. Structures and types of muscles

   tissues.

2. Movement.

1. Circulatory System
   1. Structure and functions.

      CONTENTS
      

      

      1. Heart

      2. Blood and lymph vessels

1. Composition of blood and lymph

1. (I) Blood and lymph

circulation

1. Process of blood clotting

1. Blood groups, rhesus factors hemoglobin, genotype.

1. Diseases disorder of the circulatory system and their causes; sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, haemophilia arteriosclerosis, hypertension, coronary thrombosis and stroke.

(c) Digestive system

1. Organs of the digestive system and their functions.

1. Process of digestion

CONTENTS

1. Absorption, assimilation and metabolism.

1. Diseases/disorders of the digestive system and their prevention.

(d) Excretory System

1. Structure and functions of the kidney and skin.

1. Process of urine formation.

(e) Respiratory System

1. Structure and functions of the respiratory system

1. Process of respiration
   1. Mechanism of breathing

1. Gaseous exchange.

CONTENTS

1. Tissue/Cellular

   respiration.

1. Diseases/disorders of the respiratory system and their control.

(f) Nervous System:

1. Structure and functions of the components of the nervous system
2. Voluntary and involuntary actions
3. Diseases/disorders of the nervous system.

1. Endocrine System:

Location of the different endocrine glands,

the hormones produced and their

functions.

1. Homeostasis

   Physiological factors affecting homeostatis

4. Posture and Postural Defects.

1. Definition;

   (ii) Characteristics of correct posture.

(iii) Determination of correct postures

(iv) Types of postural defects:

Flat foot; scoliosis, kyphosis and

lordosis

CONTENTS

(v) Effects of incorrect posture on physical

appearance, position and functions of

body organs.

1. PERSONAL HEALTH
   1. Meaning and importance of physical health.
   2. Personal hygiene
   3. Promotion and maintenance of health:
      1. Definition
      2. Factors and their roles in the maintenance of health.
   4. Health Screening
      1. Eye defects and their corrections.

         Myopia;

         Hypermetropia;

         Astigmatism;

         Presbyopia;

         Squints (cross eye).

      2. Auditory defects
      3. Conductive impairment

(ii) Neurosensory impairment

(iii) Disorder of the skin

(iv) Care of the eye, ear and skin.

1. Dental health education
   1. Meaning and types

   2. Types of human teeth

1. Teeth diseases

   CONTENTS
   

   

   Dental caries and gingivitis should be mentioned.

1. COMMUNITY HEALTH
   1. Community health services
      1. Definition
      2. Providers:
         1. Orthodox services e.g. primary health care;
         2. Traditional services e.g. bone setters, birth attendance.
      3. Community efforts in health promotion.

   2. School health programme
      1. Definition
      2. Components
         1. Skill-based health education

1. Healthful school environment

1. School feeding services

1. School health and nutrition services

2. School, home and community relationship.

1. Goals and Objectives.
2. Linkages for promotion (initiatives)

1. Health Promoting School (HPS)
2. Child-Friendly School (CFS)
3. Focusing resources on Effective Schools Health (FRESH)
4. Life Skills (LS)
5. Education for All (EFA)

Students should visit to observe community, health facility and work place base, health education programmes and services.

Structure of a typical animal cell and functions of its parts should be discussed.

Differences between mitosis and meiosis should be emphasized.

Mention should be made of epithelial, connective and muscular tissue, an organ and a system should be explained.

NOTES

1. Differences between growth and development should be emphasized.

2. Factors that affect growth and development should be discussed.

Accommodation should be discussed.

Process of hearing and balancing should be discussed

A chart/model of a human skeleton should be examined.

Types of bones that make up the mammalian skeleton should be identified.

1. Emphasis should be on synovial joint.
2. Location of the different types of joint should be identified.
3. Specific examples should be used to illustrate the classes of levers.

The three different types of muscles should be discussed in relation to their functions.

Reference should be made to origin and insertion of muscles in relation to movement.

NOTES

Candidates should examine the heart of a dissected mammal.

Pulse rate should be counted. The web of a toad/frog should be examined with a hand lens to observe the capillaries. The importance of lymph nodes should be mentioned.

Prepared slides of blood should be observed under microscope.

Pulmonary and systemic circulation should be emphasized.

The relevance of these factors in relation to blood transfusion should be mentioned.

1. Heredity aspect of sickle cell andhaemophilia should be discussed.
2. Prevention of anaemia and arteriosclerosis should be discussed.

Candidates should examine the alimentary canal of a dissected mammal.The location and function of accessory organs of digestion should be emphasized.

Digestive enzymes should be discussed in relation to substrates and end-product.

NOTES

1. Mentioned should be made of tissue respiration in relation to metabolism.
2. Osmosis and diffusion should be demonstrated and their importance in absorption should be emphasized.

Importance of proper eating habits and the effects of over-eating and under-eating should be discussed.

1. Candidates should examine the parts of the urinary system of a dissected mammal.
2. Candidates should examine prepared slides of the skin under the microscope.

Reference should be made to the excretory functions of the lungs. The use of dialysis machine for kidney failure should be mentioned.

Candidates should examine the respiratory organs of a dissected mammals.

Experiment to demonstrate the inhalation and exhalation of air should be performed.

Total, compIemental and residual air should be explained.

Experiment to show that expired air contains more carbon dioxide and water vapour should be performed.

NOTES

The brain, spinal cord and nerves should be discussed.

The reflex arc should be studied.

1. Characteristics of endocrine glands should mentioned.
2. Charts/models should be used to study the location of the glands.
3. The effects of over- and under – secretion of hormones should be emphasized.

1. Body temperature, blood sugar level, water balance, electrolytes balance, pH and blood pressure should be highlighted.
2. Candidates should test urine with litmus paper and also, count pulse rate.
3. Mention should be made of the positive and negative feed back control system.

Posture should be related to the following: sitting; standing; walking and lifting.

The roles of nutrition and exercise as determinants of correct posture should be discussed.

1. The causes of postural defects e.g. habits, accidents, heredity and diseases should be discussed.

   NOTES
   

2. The roles of orthopaedichospital and physiotherapy unit in the correction of postural defect should be mentioned.

Care of body parts including the teeth, mouth, hair, hands and nails should be discussed.

The use of snellen chart for vision screening should be mentioned. The roles of eye specialist in the correction of the defects should be discussed.

Otitis media should be mentioned

The use of tuning fork; audiometer, guitar strings and wrist watch in auditory screening should be mentioned. Also, mention should be made of the sign language.

NOTES

Structure and functions of the different types of teeth should be discussed.

Advantages and disadvantages of traditional medicine should be mentioned.

Awareness campaign should be discussed.

Both physical and biological environment should be discussed.

1. Family health
   1. Meaning
   2. Different aspects of family health:

      Matenal and child health

   3. Family size and budgeting

1. Ageing and death education
   1. Definition and features of the elderly.
   2. Ways of relating with the elderly.
   3. Meaning of grief and death.
   4. Common causes of death.

1. Epidemiology and vital statistics
   1. Definitions

   2. Components of vital statistics

      (i) Birth rate

      (ii) Mortality rate

      1. Morbidity rate
   3. Uses of the major components of vital statistics.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
   
   1. Housing.
      1. Criteria for good housing to include siting, ventilation, lighting and sanitation.
      2. Components of a standard house.
   2. Water supply
      1. Definition and sources
      2. Purification and uses.
   3. Waste disposal
      1. Meaning
      2. Types:

         (i) refuse;

         (ii) Sewage.

      3. Methods
   4. Pollution
      1. Meaning
      2. Types: air, water, soil and noise.

Antenatal care, immunization, oral rehydration therapy (ORT), breast feeding and safe motherhood should be discussed.

Candidates should be able to define epidemiology, vital statistics and population dynamics.

The importance and use of health records should be stressed.

Effects of poor sanitation and pest infestation in home should be discussed.

Effects of substandard housing on health should be discussed.

Sources should include rain, borehole, rivers, streams, springs, well pond, pipe borne water

Advantages and disadvantages of each method should be discussed.

(c) Meaning and sources of pollutants.

1. Health consequences of pollution.

1. Industrial occupation

1. Meaning
2. Programmes: Industrial health services
3. Occupation hazard

1. Pests and vectors control

1. Meaning
2. Habitats of pests and vectors
3. Harmful effects and control.

1. NUTRITION AND FOOD NUTRIENTS
   

   Nutrition

(i) Classes, sources and functions of food

nutrients.

(ii) Caloric value of food nutrients

1. Balanced/adequate diets
   1. Definition
   2. Classification
   3. Nutritional problems

1. Factors influencing feeding habits/choice of foods

2. Water

1. Nutritional processes: ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism and defecation/ejection.

1. Beverages
   1. Definition
   2. Types and effects

1. Diet for different group of people: children, male adolescent; female adolescent; athletes; pregnant woman; adult and aged.

CONTENTS

1. Food hygiene, preservation and storage
   1. Meaning and Principles of food hygiene

1. Effects of methods of food preparation on nutrients.

1. Methods of food preservation:

   Smoking/drying/dehydration,

   Freezing/refrigeration, addition of chemicals/sugar salts,

   Bottling/pickling/canning.

1. SAFETY EDUCATION AND FIRST AID
   
   1. First Aid
      1. Meaning/aims and principles of first aid
      2. First aid kit
      3. Specific emergency conditions cuts;

         Wounds; bleeding dislocation; fractures; burns; scalds; shocks; asphysia/suffocation; poisoning.

      4. Agencies providing First Aid Services.

1. Disaster

   (i) Meaning and types

   (ii) Disaster relief activities

2. Accident

   (i) Types and causes

   (ii) Prevention

1. Disability and rehabilitation

   (i) Meaning

   (ii) Types and prevention.

CONTENTS

1. DRUG, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
   

   EDUCATION
   

   1. Drug Education
      1. Terminologies in drug education
      2. Classes of drugs commonly abused.

1. Ways of taking drugs into the body

1. Drug abuse and consequences of self medication.

1. Behaviour altering chemicals
   1. Tobacco

(i) Components

(ii) Effects of smoking on health.

1. Alcohol on health

   Effects of alcohol on health.

2. Drugs

   Effects of drug on health

1. COMMUNICABLE AND NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
   1. Diseases

      Meaning and classes of diseases.

   2. Communicable diseases
      1. Definition
      2. Classification of communicable diseases.

CONTENTS

(i) Air-borne/Respiratory diseases

Common cold, measles, whooping cough,

poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and cerebro-spinal

meningitis, diphtheria.

(ii) Water/food-borne diseases: Dysentery,

cholera, typhoid fever and

schistosomiasis, guinea worm

(iii) Insect-borne diseases: Malaria, yellow

fever, trypanosomiasis and filariasis

(iv) Worm infection:

(i) Ascarislumbricoides (round worm)

(ii) Taeniasolium (tape worm)

(iii) Ancylostomaduodenale (Hook worm)

(iv) Dracunculusmedinensis (Guinea worm)

(v) Animal-borne diseases rabies,

leptospoirosis

(vi) Contact diseases diseases;Gonorrhoea,

syphilis, Tineapedis (athlete/foot),

Taeniacapitis (ringworm) leprosy, scabies

and Acquired immune Deficiency

Syndrome (AIDS)

(c) Factors necessary for communicable diseases

to occur:

(i) Causative agent

(ii) Susceptible host;

(iii) Transmission route (environment)

(d) Non-communicable diseases:

Types

(i) Deficiency (scurvy, pellagra, rickets,

Kwashiorkor, anaemia, beriberi etc)

(ii) Diseases due to growth in cells, heredity

and normal disorders (cancer, diabetes,

epilepsy, haemophilia, heart disease,

hypertension. Ulcer, mental illness, sickle

cell, rheumatism, infertility, asthma,

albinism etc.

CONTENTS

1. FAMILY LIFE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION
   

1. Human Reproduction
   
   1. Definition of terms: Reproduction; sex gametes; ovulation; menstruation; fertilization; pregnancy and gestation.
      

   2. Structures and functions of male and female reproductive organs.
      

1. Conception, pregnancy, foetal development and child birth
   

1. Diseases disorders of the reproductive system
   

1. Human Sexuality Education
   
   1. Meaning and importance
      

      Life skills (Assertive Negotiation and communication skills)

1. Family and family member roles.
   
   1. The family – Meaning and types
      
   2. Family size
      

1. Family life challenges: widowhood; single parenthood, pre-marital and extra-marital affairs, in-laws etc.
   
   1. Agencies promoting healthy family living
      

2. Family planning and safe motherhood.
   
   1. Meaning and need for family planning
      

The need for health care and rehabilitation should be discussed.

The need for health insurance schemes should be stressed.

Students should be able to identify to differentiate between pests and vectors.

Tests for starch, simple and complex sugars, proteins and fats should be carried out.

Local example of sources of food nutrients should be mentioned.

Caloric needs in relations to age, occupation and health condition should be discussed.

Food deficiency diseases should be emphasized.

Factors responsible for unbalanced diet and effects associated with poor diet should be discussed.

Factors should include: availability, religion education, age, belief, health condition and cost

The role of water in relation to nutrition should be discussed.

Negative and positive effects should be stressed. Nutritional value of non-alcoholic beverages should be stressed.

Charts should be used to show diets for the different groups of people.

CONTENTS

NOTES

1. Birth control methods
2. Safe motherhood

5. Population Education

(a) Meaning of population and population

education.

(b) Census and its problems

(c) Small and large population

1. EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH
   
   1. Interrelationship
   2. Attributes:
      1. Definition of personality and personality traits
      2. Personality problems and solution
   3. Mental health:
      1. Definition
      2. Promotion
      3. Types and prevention
      4. Importance

1. CONSUMER HEALTH EDUCATION
   
   1. Consumer health products and services
   2. Laws protecting the consumer

Candidates should be able to distinguish between family planning and safe motherhood.

Candidates should be able to distinguish between population and census.

Advantages of accurate census should be discussed.

Meaning and the interrelationship between emotional health and social health should be discussed.

The attributes of emotional and social health should be discussed.

Candidates should be able to identify personal problems and proffer solutions.

Candidates should be able to state factors that promote mental health.

Types, causes prevention and management of mental health should be discussed.

Importance of mental and social health should be discussed.

1. The importance of checking label expiry dates on products before purchase should be highlighted.

Various agencies promoting consumers health should be discussed.

Mention features of genuine products and services

CONTENTS

NOTES

1. Factors influencing choice of consumer products; Authencity; cost; availability; accessibility; availability and advertisement.
2. Consumer health care services

1. Quacks and quackery meaning and types

1. Health insurance and advertisement of health products and services

1. Nostrum:
   1. Definition and types
   2. Reasons for avoiding nostrum.

Various types of health services: traditional medicine, orthodox medicine, alternative methods of healing (acupuncture, yoga and faith healing) should be discussed.

1. Different types of quackery such as mechanical, electrical, drug and cosmetic and medical quackery should be discussed
2. The danger of quacks and quackery should be highlighted.

1. Meaning and importance of health insurance
2. State of health insurance
3. Advertisement of health products and consumer services.

Types should include:

1. Health tonic;
2. Miracle substances;
3. Magic portions;
4. Amulets and talisman.