SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 4 & 5

NAME: DADA AYOMIDE GREAT

COURSE: COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

MATRIC NUMBER: 21/2645

DATE: 9TH OF AUGUST 2022

CHAPTER FOUR (ECOLOGY OF HUMAN DISEASES)

Disease is a condition or state of disorder in the structure or function of an organism which comes as a
result of various causes such as environmental factors, infections, genetic defect or inflammation. It is
also defined as a state when the body is not able to perform its functions normally and is characterized
by signs and symptoms.

Epidemiology is the study of how health related states (both good or bad) occur, their causes,
frequency, and the control of these events. It also talks on how to control these health issues. Clinical
epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease in patient
populations and the relationship between exposures or treatments and health outcomes. We have
different theories of disease causation. They are namely:

1. GERM THEORY: This theory states that diseases are caused by the action and presence of micro
organisms in the body. Each disease has its own specific source and cause. It talks about the
relationship between infectious communicable diseases.
2. THEORY OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRIANGLE: there is a relationship between the agent,
environment and the host. The theory explains that apart from the causative agent bringing the
disease to the host, there are other factors that contribute to diseases.
3. MULTIFACTORIAL CAUSATION THEORY: Diseases are caused by multiple factors. This theory
helps to understand the various causative factors and preventive measures to control the
disease. Some diseases are caused by lifestyle factors. This is known as disease of affluence. The
epidemiology is a multifactorial causation.
4. WEB OF CAUSATION: This refers to the relationship between causative factors. It states that
diseases can’t be removed except the factors causing it is controlled or removed.
5. DEVERS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MODEL: this theory talks about four factors that can mar or
promote
a person’s health. They are human biology, lifestyle factors, environmental factors and health
care systems. All these factors influence health positively or negatively.
 INFECTIOUS DISEASES
These are disorders caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, virus, etc. Many
organisms inhabit our bodies; they can be harmful or harmless depending on some conditions.
Examples of infectious diseases are cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, influenza, malaria, HIV/AIDS
and so on. Some infectious diseases can e transferred from one person to another.
There are various ways to prevent infectious diseases. Some are:
 Vaccination
 Personal hygiene
 Good prescription of antibiotics
 Eat well balanced and hygienic foods etc.

CHRONIC DISEASES

These are diseases that are generally progressive. They persist over a long period of time in the
body. They are usually caused by lifestyle practices. Examples of chronic diseases include cancer,
asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. We have different ways of
preventing chronic diseases; they are:

 Avoid the use of hard drugs e.g. tobacco, marijuana etc

 Avoid drinking alcohols
 Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

THE ENVIIRONMENT AND HEALTH

The word environment is gotten from a French word “environ” which means to encompass or
encircle. The environment contains all living and non-living things on earth. World health
organization (WHO) defined environment as “all the physical, chemical, and biological factors
external to a person and all related behaviors”. There is a direct interaction between the
environment and our actions and feelings; though the environment sustains life, it can also
cause diseases. Environmental health is the study of all aspects that is concerned with the
environment and human health. There are some terms associated with environmental health
namely:

 Personal hygiene: Total hygiene of body and clothing.

 Water supply: adequate and safety usage of water.
 Human waste disposal: proper waste and liquid waste disposal and management6
 Food hygiene: Healthy food preparation, distribution and consumption.
 Water pollution: sources, characteristics, effects and prevention.

COMPONENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Physical: This comprises of the soil and every other tangible seeable substance in our
surroundings. This accounts for most of the diseases that man faces.
2. Biological: This consists of living organisms (micro-organisms), plants and animals.
3. Social: This consists of the environment in which individuals interact together.
4. Spiritual: This is mostly overlooked though it is as important as the other three. Most
religious practices have direct impact on health.

ENVIRONMRNTAL SANITATION: This is the process of promoting good health through

prevention of wastes. It also involves usage of sanitary facilities. To achieve good health, good
hygiene and good sanitary measures must be observed.

AIR POLLUTION: The atmosphere contains multiple gases which are needed for survival and
existence of all living things. Air pollution is the arrival of harmful materials, gases, dirt into the
atmosphere. Example of some of this gases are carbon dioxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, sulphur
oxide. These gases contaminate the air. Fumes from chimneys, smoke, toxic hazards,
greenhouse effect, industrialization are all contributing factors to air pollution. Reducing air
pollution can lead to an increase in good health.

WATER QUALITY: Contaminated water can cause mild to severe illness. Water is said to be
clean, pure, without taste and without color. Any alteration to these characteristics of water has
made that water source unfit and harmful for consumption. Humans are meant to take at least
4-6 sachet of water daily (2 liters). We can get water from various sources like rain, well, springs,
river etc.

There’s no pure uncontaminated water in nature due to the effect of natural and manmade
impurities. Natural impurities contain dissolved minerals, gases (from rainfall) and microscopic
organisms. Manmade impurities are caused by industrialization. Sources of water pollution
include sewage, industrial waste, agricultural fertilizers and radioactive substance.

SOLID WASTE: this includes rubbish (plastics) , dead animals, garbage( food waste) and other
discarded materials. It is a health hazard because it attracts rodents, flies and makes the
environment unfit for living. There are different methods of refuse waste disposal; they are
dumping, controlled tipping, incineration and composting.

EXCRETA DISPOSAL: This is an important cause of health hazard. It can cause environmental
pollution and food contamination. Some of the disease it causes is typhoid, cholera, diarrhea
etc. proper disposal of excreta disposal is important for good healthy living in the community.
Methods of disposal include use of modernized pit latrines, septic tank and chemical toilets.

VECTORS OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE

Vectors are arthropods or invertebrates that transmit disease through ingestion, injection or
contact. Examples include mosquito (malaria), housefly (typhoid),tsetse fly(sleeping sickness)
etc. Good health can be promoted through health education. This act is called environmental
intervention.

PERSONAL HYGIENE
This is the best way to fight against illness and diseases. Hygiene is the act of taking care of your
body while also considering others so as not affect them negatively. It involves bathing,
brushing, hand washing. Body odour is a bad hygiene habit; hand washing should be at all times.

Women should take care of their vagina by not putting objects inside it. You can clean it
externally but not internally so as not to damage it. Bad breath and body odour is also a
common bad hygiene among men. Clothes should be worn once especially under wears. The
private part is expected to be cleaned at all times. Taking enough water after and before meals
helps in promoting good health.

CHAPTER FIVE

Substance abuse is a term which describes a serious conditioned behavior or problem occurring
from psychoactive drugs or substances. In 1992, Atulomah described substance as the excessive
and continuous use of mind altering drugs usually by self administration, for the purpose of
altering the mood of the individual.

Medicine is a drug used to treat, prevent and diagnose illness while a drug is a substance that
affects the structure and function of the body.

Drug addiction is the continuous use of drug despite the psychological, social, mental and
physical harm.

DRUGS WITH ABUSE POTENTIAL

They are as follows: depressants (benzodiaphines), stimulants (ecstasy), sedatives etc. Avoid the
usage of hard drugs and alcohol because it affects the health of man.

SPORT HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Research has shown that sports and exercises have helped to build mankind physically,
emotionally and mentally. Lack of physical activity can result in obesity among teens. Hypo-
kinetic diseases are related to inactivity, such as low back pain, low abdominal tone and it
increases menstrual pain in ladies.