HISTORY OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
Last Updated: April 28tth, 2023
Looking at the definition by the World Health Organization, they described health as the complete state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity. Health education on the other hand can be defined as the combination of learning experiences so as to influence the knowledge, attitude and behavior of individuals towards their health. Health education teaches individuals how to maintain good personal health, make positive healthy choices while also taking steps in disease prevention, reduce risky healthy behaviors, first aid management and management and prevention of communicable and non communicable diseases.
When I Was Invited to Give an Health Talk to Students in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the history of health education can be traced back to the history of western education in the country. It is important to note that by 1515 the catholic missionaries established a primary school with the influence of the Portuguese traders at the Oba of Benin palace for the children of the king and his chiefs and they taught various subjects like English language, religious education, basic science which included topics in health education and care of the body and basic mathematics. However, as early the 11th Century, A.D. Islam has already spread in the Northern part of Nigeria and before the missionaries came to the southern part of Nigeria, Islam has already been well grounded in the Northern part of the country before the inflow of the christian missionaries in the south. In the north, Islamic schools had been established to teach Arabic and Islamic cultures.
In 1842 the official first known school in the country was established by Mr and Mrs. de Graft in Badagry and the school was called "Nursery of the Infant Church" which was later renamed “St. Thomas Anglican Nursery and Primary School in 1845. In subsequent months other schools were opened by missionaries across the country. The aim of these schools was to teach basic literacy, conversion of pupils to Christianity, teach basic mathematics and basic science.
Health Education at levels of Education in Nigeria;
1. Primary School Level: Today, at the primary school level, health education is taught to pupils on how to take care of their body, basic personal hygiene, safety education, among others.
2. Junior Secondary School Level: At the Junior secondary school level, health education is taught together with physical education called P.H.E (Physical and Health Education). The curriculum covers areas in physical education along some health education topics such as first aid, safety education, basic human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, among others.
3. Senior Secondary School Level: At the senior secondary school level, health education is taught as a subject of its own and the curriculum covers areas of history and development of health education, human anatomy and physiology, personal health, community health, environmental health, food and nutrition, safety education and first aid, drug alcohol and tobacco education, communicable and non communicable diseases, family life and sex education, emotional and social health, consumer health education, among others.
4. Tertiary Institution Level: This level trains health professionals and health educators. Health education is mainly taught in the faculty of education at the University and as a department in many colleges of Education nation wide. However, in many departments it is sometimes combined with physical education for the first two or three years.
There are various settings for health education in Nigeria which includes; home based health education, school based health education, community based health education, health facility based health education and work place based health education.
Some of the pioneers of health education in Nigeria includes; Z.A. Ademuwagun, J.A. Ajala, C.O. Udoh, J. Fawole, I. Owie, O.G. Oshodin, A.F.A Folawiyo, O.C. Nwana, G.B.I. Onuha, J.O. Adeniyi, Ogundeji, among others. They all contributed significantly to health education in the country through research, teaching and training of health educators and professionals across Nigeria.
In Nigeria, the history of health education can be traced back to the history of western education in the country. It is important to note that by 1515 the catholic missionaries established a primary school with the influence of the Portuguese traders at the Oba of Benin palace for the children of the king and his chiefs and they taught various subjects like English language, religious education, basic science which included topics in health education and care of the body and basic mathematics. However, as early the 11th Century, A.D. Islam has already spread in the Northern part of Nigeria and before the missionaries came to the southern part of Nigeria, Islam has already been well grounded in the Northern part of the country before the inflow of the christian missionaries in the south. In the north, Islamic schools had been established to teach Arabic and Islamic cultures.
In 1842 the official first known school in the country was established by Mr and Mrs. de Graft in Badagry and the school was called "Nursery of the Infant Church" which was later renamed “St. Thomas Anglican Nursery and Primary School in 1845. In subsequent months other schools were opened by missionaries across the country. The aim of these schools was to teach basic literacy, conversion of pupils to Christianity, teach basic mathematics and basic science.
Health Education at levels of Education in Nigeria;
1. Primary School Level: Today, at the primary school level, health education is taught to pupils on how to take care of their body, basic personal hygiene, safety education, among others.
2. Junior Secondary School Level: At the Junior secondary school level, health education is taught together with physical education called P.H.E (Physical and Health Education). The curriculum covers areas in physical education along some health education topics such as first aid, safety education, basic human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, among others.
3. Senior Secondary School Level: At the senior secondary school level, health education is taught as a subject of its own and the curriculum covers areas of history and development of health education, human anatomy and physiology, personal health, community health, environmental health, food and nutrition, safety education and first aid, drug alcohol and tobacco education, communicable and non communicable diseases, family life and sex education, emotional and social health, consumer health education, among others.
4. Tertiary Institution Level: This level trains health professionals and health educators. Health education is mainly taught in the faculty of education at the University and as a department in many colleges of Education nation wide. However, in many departments it is sometimes combined with physical education for the first two or three years.
There are various settings for health education in Nigeria which includes; home based health education, school based health education, community based health education, health facility based health education and work place based health education.
Some of the pioneers of health education in Nigeria includes; Z.A. Ademuwagun, J.A. Ajala, C.O. Udoh, J. Fawole, I. Owie, O.G. Oshodin, A.F.A Folawiyo, O.C. Nwana, G.B.I. Onuha, J.O. Adeniyi, Ogundeji, among others. They all contributed significantly to health education in the country through research, teaching and training of health educators and professionals across Nigeria.
Read: Pioneers of health education in Nigeria
Importance of Health Education in Nigeria
The importance of health education in the country cannot be over emphasized as it helps to simple improve an individuals life expectancy through healthy life choices. The following are benefits of teaching health education in Nigerian schools and colleges;
1. It helps improve student's knowledge, attitude, practice and positive attitude about their health.
2. It helps students understand how to properly take care of their body and ensure a positive personal hygiene
3. It helps them understand the need to eat healthy and understand the risks of drug abuse and addiction.
4. It teaches basic first aid skills so as to help people injured when the need arises in the absence of a doctor or physician.
5. It makes them understand various ways of preventing communicable and non communicable diseases.
6. It teaches them on how to maintain positive emotional, mental and social health.
7. Health education also helps students understand basic safety education at various locations (home safety, workplace safety, road safety, e.t.c) among others
Also Read: Pioneers of health education in Nigeria
Importance of Health Education in Nigeria
The importance of health education in the country cannot be over emphasized as it helps to simple improve an individuals life expectancy through healthy life choices. The following are benefits of teaching health education in Nigerian schools and colleges;
1. It helps improve student's knowledge, attitude, practice and positive attitude about their health.
2. It helps students understand how to properly take care of their body and ensure a positive personal hygiene
3. It helps them understand the need to eat healthy and understand the risks of drug abuse and addiction.
4. It teaches basic first aid skills so as to help people injured when the need arises in the absence of a doctor or physician.
5. It makes them understand various ways of preventing communicable and non communicable diseases.
6. It teaches them on how to maintain positive emotional, mental and social health.
7. Health education also helps students understand basic safety education at various locations (home safety, workplace safety, road safety, e.t.c) among others
Also Read: Pioneers of health education in Nigeria
How to Reference this article
Ademola, V. D (2018). History of health education in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.youdread.com/2018/08/ History-of-health-education-in-Nigeria.html
Ademola, V. D (2018). History of health education in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.youdread.com/2018/08/ History-of-health-education-in-Nigeria.html
Great article. Well detailed. Well done
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