NOTES FOR SOS 111 2018/2019

LESSON NOTE FOR SOS 111 FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL STUDIES

Lesson Note 2019

SOS 111 FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL STUDIES

SOCIAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Problems are those harmful occurrences in society, this has become issues of public concern and debate. Such issues cry out for resolution, to avoid degeneration into

uncontrollable crises. There are various social issues such as alcoholism, drug addiction suicide cultism HIV/AIDS etc. that should be looked into these areas are of interest to Social Studies because its focus and orientation is that of problem resolution in society. The social issues and problems are highlighted by the Social Studies discipline. Riot, arson, thuggery, revolts and revolutions are some of the social issues facing the world today. As a discipline, Social Studies are not only concerned with acquiring knowledge for its sake alone. It is a curriculum package to serve as a tool in solving societal problems. It is a problem centered problem-solving discipline.

                                                 DRUG ADDICTION

Drug Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs. drug addiction can be managed successfully. And as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal treatment failure—rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted or that an alternative treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite adverse, even devastating consequences—that is the nature of addiction.

Why Do Some People Become Addicted While Others Do Not?

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology:  The genes that people are born with in combination with environmental influences account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction.

Environment:  A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person’s life.

Development:  Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which poses a special challenge to adolescents. Because areas in their brains that govern decision making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, adolescents may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse.

Preventive method

Drug addiction is a preventable disease. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many events and cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, when youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. Thus, education and outreach are key in helping youth and the general public understands the risks of drug abuse. Teachers, parents, and medical and public health professionals must keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if one never abuses drugs.

DRUG ABUSE

Drug:  is a chemical substance that affects or causes some change in the mind or body

Drug abuse: is the indiscriminate use of drugs, that is the use of drugs without adhering to doctors prescription

Commonly Abused Drugs

                                i.            Alcohol (sapele water, ogogoro, kai-kai, beer, spirits, goskolo, opukwu etc.)

                              ii.            Pain killers (Paracetamol, Asprin etc)

                            iii.            Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Ampiclox, Flagyl etc. )

                            iv.            Illegal drugs (Marijuana, wee- wee, ganya,Rochi, Gadagi, cocaine etc.)

                              v.            Sedatives (Coffee, Tea, Petrol, Robbin Blue, Sewage, Thinner etc.)

Common Ways Drugs are abused

1.      Inhalation: intake of drug through the nose/mouth into lung  

2.      Injection: injecting drug into the body with a syringe

3.      Ingestion: to take drug into the body by swallowing and absorbing it

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Effects on the individual:

1.      Irritability

2.      Unstable mood

3.      Aggressive behavior

4.      Nervousness

5.      Headache

6.      Un kept appearance

7.      Loss of memory

8.      Brain damage

9.      Deadly disease e.g. HIV/AIDS or cancer

Consequences on the family

1.      Shame and disappointment

2.      Loss of valuable as the child steals

3.      Unnecessary expenditure on health care

4.      Disruption to family life

Society:

1.      National image dented

2.      Unnecessary economic and socio-cultural expenses e.g. rehabilitation centers

3.      Increase automobile accidents

4.      Increased crime rate

Ways of discouraging Drug Abuse

1.      Legislation by the government

2.      Creating awareness , sensitization and counseling

3.      Infusion into school curriculum

4.      Encouraging recreational activities

Drug Trafficking

Definition: it is illegal drug trade consisting of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal controlled drugs

Reasons for Trafficking Drugs

1.      Poverty

2.      Ignorance/lack of awareness

3.      Greed

4.      Misplaced value system

Effects of Drug Trafficking

1.      Increased corruption

2.      Beak down of law and order

3.      Strained international relations

4.      Bad image for the country

5.      Imprisonment

6.      Death penalty

Key Point Notes

1.      Both legal and illegal drugs and substances can be abused through peer pressure and for so many reasons

2.      Numerous overwhelming dangers are involved in becoming drug addicts

3.      One should put up assertive, refusal skills to prevent drug abuse

4.       Drug, abuse has serious implications for the reproductive health of young person’s because a mind under the influence of drugs cannot have the right decisions.

Ways of Preventing Drug

1.      Education

2.      Alleviation of poverty

3.      Legislation

4.      International co-operation

5.      Moral up bringing

Lesson to learn

1.      It is to equip  teachers with the knowledge to pass across information on the danger of drug abuse to students

2.      It will equip teacher with information deeded to assist students that are on drug

Reasons for using Drugs                                        

i.                    To feel high

ii.                  Curiosity

iii.                Wanting to feel among

iv.                Availability of drugs

v.                  To overcome shyness

vi.                To pass exam

vii.              To be a part of the gang

Symptom of drug abuse includes:

a.       recurrent drug use that results in legal problems,

b.      occurs in potentially dangerous situations;

c.       interfere with important obligations,

d.       or results in social or relationship problems.

Symptoms of drug dependence include:

i.                    tolerance,

ii.                   withdrawal,

iii.                using a lot of the drug or for a long period of time,

iv.                 persistent desire to use the drug,

v.                   unsuccessful efforts to stop using the drug,

vi.                 neglecting other aspects of life because of their drug use,

Effects of drugs

The effects of drugs on the brain can somewhat vary depending on the drug that is being used, basically every drug that is abused has an effect on the functioning of the brain. Drugs particularly affect the brain's ability to function effectively. Drug abuse and addiction have negative consequences for individuals and for society. They are destructive to public health such as:

i.                    family disintegration,

ii.                   loss of employment,

iii.                 failure in school,

iv.                domestic violence,

v.                  child abuse.

vi.                Addiction is chronic and often leads to brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use.

Treatment services for drug abuse and addiction:

By carrying out test which is lab test help to indicates that someone has chemical abuse or addiction, health care practitioners diagnose these disorders by gathering comprehensive medical, family, and mental-health information, as well as securing a physical examination and lab tests to assess the victims medical state.

The primary goals of recovery are:

i.                    abstinence,

ii.                   relapse prevention,

iii.                and rehabilitation.

During the initial stage of abstinence, an individual who suffers from chemical dependency may need detoxification treatment to help avoid or lessen the effects of withdrawal.

Often, much more challenging and time consuming than recovery from the physical aspects of addiction is psychological addiction.

The treatment of dual diagnosis seems to be more effective when treatment of the sufferer's mental illness is integrated with the treatment of the individual's chemical dependency.

Drug addiction increases the risk of a number of negative life stressors and conditions, particularly if left untreated.

Reasons for drug addiction

Biology: the genes that people are born with in combination with environmental influences account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction.

Environment: person’s environment may include many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person’s life.

Development: Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which poses a special challenge to adolescents. Because the areas in their brains that govern decision making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, adolescents may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying to abuse drugs.

Preventive measures

1.      Drug addiction is a preventable disease. Preventive programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse.

2.      Education and outreach are key in helping youth and the general public understands the risks of drug abuse.

3.      Teachers, parents, and medical and public health professionals must keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if one never abuses drugs.

4.       Although many events and cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, from the very moment the youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they have to reduce their drug taking.

SUICIDE
Suicide means self-murder or self-physical elimination. The phenomenon is traced to be the following meaninglessness, isolation, powerlessness and self-estrangement

DEVIANCE
Deviance” means, “norm violations” or “violations of norms”  deviating from doing the right thing.

 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

These are the infection that can transmitted or can pass from an infected person to  another person through sexual contact for instance: oral, virginal or anal contacts

Causes of STIs

i.Fungi

ii. Viruses

Categories of STIs:

Ulcer causing STIs (i.e. those that cause wound or sore on the genital organs) examples: Syphilis, Chancroid, Genital Warts and Herpes. Non Ulcer causing STIs (i.e. those that do not produce wounds but may produce discharge) e.g. Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Candidiases, Chlamydia is caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis etc. Gonorrhea: a sexually transmitted bacterial disease that causes inflammation of the genital mucous membrane, burning pain when urinating, and a discharge. It is caused by a gonococcus bacterium.Syphilis: a serious sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirally twisted bacterium Treponema pallidum that affects many body organs and parts, including the genitals, brain, skin, and nervous tissueChlamydia: a sexually transmitted disease, the most common in developed countries, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Often producing no symptoms, it can cause infertility, chronic pain, or a tubal pregnancy if left untreated.

Treatable STIs (Virus) example: Genital Herpes, genital Warts, HIV, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of STIs

1.           Skin changes (sores, bumps or blisters on /or around the sex organs or mouth)

2.           Irritation (burning, painful and frequency sensation during urination)

3.           Genital itching – noticeable pelvic pain (e.g. pain deep inside the vagina when having sex and swelling in the groin or around the sex organs )

4.           Sex organ discharge (e.g. from the penis or vagina, greenish or yellowish pus like substance its accompanying smell and unusual bleeding)

STIs Transmission

1.           Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person either by vaginal, oral, or anal.

2.           Mother to child, pregnancy (syphilis etc.), Childbirth Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, breast feeding, HIV etc.

Those at the risk of contacting STIs are:

1.           All

2.           Adolescents and young people

The adolescents and younger ones are the likely people to engage in multiple sex relationships moreover, they have less access to STIs service. When the younger ones or adolescents contact sexual transmitted infections they feel shy to share it to the people that can render help to them but instead they are mislead by their peers. And before it can be revealed it might be too late because of ignorance and lack of awareness of the younger ones.  

Relationship between STI and HIV

1.           HIV is mainly transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (80% – 85% ) (Note: HIV is also sexually transmitted infection)

2.           Some STIs facilitate HIV infection especially ulcer – causing STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis etc.

3.           STIs increases the concentration of HIV infection in the genital secretions (semen/virginal fluid)

4.           In the presence of HIV other STIs may become more resistant to treatment.

Consequences of STIs

1.           Emotional problems (e.g. shame/guilt)

2.           Affects new born babies of infected mothers e.g.: heart, brain and blindness .

3.           Increase risk of infertility (inability to reproduce). It also causes damages to reproductive system/organs.

4.           It leads to death.

Prevention of STIs

i.                    The most and safest way of preventing STIs is abstinence

ii.                  It is important to seek appropriate information on STIs especially from the health officers.

iii.                Risky situation should be avoided (e.g. using condom or withdrawal).

Problems of STIs Control and Management

i.                    There is the problem of poor seeking habit

ii.                  The problem of poor access to efficient and affordable STIs services

iii.                Lack of information about the nature of STIs and how to prevent them

iv.                Poverty and gender inequality among women resulting in high rate of sex workers

v.                  Young age at sexual debut and having multiple sexual partners

Treatment of STIs

i.                    Should in case you notice any signs and symptoms of STIs, contact a qualified health personnel immediately

ii.                  Early treatment prevents damage to the reproductive organs/systems and other complications.

iii.                It is necessary to abide by the prescribed medicines for STIs as directed by the physicians.

iv.                Try to complete your medication

v.                  Continue to take the medication continue to take the medication, do not stop until the dosage finishes even if the symptoms cleared after only a few days.

vi.                Try to go for check up as soon as you sop medication

Note: that STIs take longer time to clear or go.

Reasons for the STIs lesson

1.           It is the duty of the teacher to help students to know that anyone can contact STIs

2.           If any student suspects he /she has STI such person should seek or go for treatment

3.           Abstinence is the surest and most trusted way of not contacting STIs.

Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) or Human immunodeficiency Virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus attacks and weakens the immune system. As the immune system weakens, the person is at risk of getting life-threatening infections and cancers. When that happens, the illness is called AIDS. Once a person has the virus, it stays inside the body until the person dies

Human this means that it affects only human beings no other species.

Immune deficiency that means the destruction of the immune system

Virus means germ

HIV is the germ that causes AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Acquired mans that the disease is not hereditary but are contracted. Immune deficiency more so means that the disease is characterized by the weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms that indicate or characterizes a disease.

Modes of HIV Transmission   

1.           The virus is spread (transmitted) person-to-person in any of the following ways:

2.           Through sexual contact/ unprotected sex with an infected person: vaginal, oral, anal etc.

3.           Through blood -- by blood transfusions, contaminated objects, or more often by needle sharing, blades, clippers, syringe ec

4.           From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can spread the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can pass it to her baby through her breast milk

5.           Promise /oath taking that has to do with leaking or cutting of the flesh e.g. marriage, cultism etc.

The virus is NOT spread by:

i.                    Casual contact, such as hugging

ii.                  Mosquitoes

iii.                Participating in sports

iv.                Touching items that were touched by a person infected with the virus

v.                  HIV and blood or organ donation:

HIV is not spread to a person who donates blood or organs. People who donate organs are never in direct contact with the people who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is never in contact with the person receiving it. In all of these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used.

But HIV can be spread to a person receiving blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs check (screen) donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly.

People at high risk of getting HIV include:

Drug users who inject and then share needles

Infants born to mothers with HIV who did not receive HIV treatment during pregnancy

People who have unprotected sex, especially with people who have other high-risk behaviors, are HIV-positive, or have AIDS

People who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985, before screening for the virus became standard practice

Sexual partners of those who engage in high-risk activities (such as injection drug use or anal sex)

After HIV infects the body, the virus can be found in many different fluids and tissues in the body.

Only blood, semen, fluids from the vagina, and breast milk have been shown to transmit infection to others.

The virus may also be found in saliva, tears, and spinal fluid.

Symptoms

Symptoms related to acute HIV infection (when a person is first infected) can be similar to the flu or other viral illnesses. They include:

i.         Fever and muscle pains

ii.        Headache

iii.      Sore throat

iv.      Night sweats

v.       Mouth sores, including yeast infection (thrush)

vi.      Swollen lymph glands

vii.    Diarrhea

Many people have no symptoms when they are first infected with HIV. Acute HIV infection progresses over a few weeks to months to become an asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms). This stage can last 10 years or longer. During this period, the person might have no reason to suspect they have HIV, but they can spread the virus to others.

If they are not treated, almost all people infected with HIV will develop AIDS. Some people develop AIDS within a few years of infection. Others remain completely healthy after 10 or even 20 years. People with AIDS have had their immune system damaged by HIV. They are at very high risk of getting infections that are uncommon in people with a healthy immune system. These infections are called opportunistic infections. These can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa, and can affect any part of the body. People with AIDS are also at higher risk for certain cancers, especially lymphomas and a skin cancer called Kaposi Sarcoma.

Symptoms depend on the particular infection and which part of the body is infected. Lung infections are common in AIDS and usually cause cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Intestinal infections are also common and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, or swallowing problems. Weight loss, fever, sweats, rashes, and swollen lymph glands are common in people with HIV infection and AIDS.

Can Virgins Get STIs/STDs?

Many STIs/STDs can spread through any type of sexual activity. This includes skin-to-skin contact and oral sex. This means that people who have not yet had sexual intercourse can still get STIs/STDs.

Preventing STIs/STDs

Abstinence from any sexual contact is the only absolute way to prevent getting an STI/STD. Being in a long-term, monogamous relationship also is a good way to avoid STIs/STDs. There are also steps you can take to decrease the chance of getting an STIs/STD if you are sexually active, including:

Asking partners if they have ever had an STI/STD which you may not get the right answer due to lack of awareness/exposure.

Using condoms not 100% safe

Avoiding sexual activity with a partner who has signs of an STI/STD

Asking partners to be tested before having sex

Being aware of symptoms and signs of STIs/STDs

The Limits of Condoms

Condoms can prevent the spread of some STIs/STDs, but they aren't 100% effective. They are less effective at protecting against herpes, syphilis, and genital warts, since these STIs/STDs can be transmitted by contact with skin lesions that are not covered by a condom. Condoms also do not protect against crabs and scabies infestations.

How to Tell Your Partner

It is important to tell your partner as soon as possible if you believe you may have an STI/STD. Even if you are being treated, you may still be able to spread the infection. For some STIs/STDs, it's recommended that both partners be treated at the same time. It can be difficult to share this information, so some people find that preparing a script in advance can be helpful.

STIs/STDs and Pregnancy

STIs/STDs can cause premature labor in pregnant women, and many STIs/STDs can be passed to the baby either during pregnancy or childbirth. So all pregnant women should be checked for STIs/STDs. STIs/STDs can cause numerous problems in babies, like low birth weight, stillbirth, nerve problems, blindness, serious infections, and liver problems. Treatment during pregnancy can reduce the risks of these complications and can cure many types of infections.

Can STIs/STDs Come Back?

In most cases, new exposures to STIs/STDs that you have had in the past can cause you to get the infection again. Most treatments don't protect you from developing the STI/STD at a future time. If your partner have not been treated, you may pass the infection back and forth. Without the right precautions, you could acquire a second STI/STD or a recurrence of the same infection.

Stay Informed

Other Treatment
HIV/AIDS is treated with medicines that stop the virus from multiplying. This treatment is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).

In the past, people with HIV infection would start antiretroviral treatment after their CD4 count dropped or they developed HIV complications. Today, HIV treatment is recommended for all people with HIV infection, even if their CD4 count is still normal.

Regular blood tests are needed to make sure the virus level in the blood (viral load) is kept low, or suppressed. The goal of treatment is to lower the HIV virus in the blood to a level that is so low that the test can't detect it. This is called an undetectable viral load.

If the CD4 count already dropped before treatment was started, it will usually slowly go up. HIV complications often disappear as the immune system recovers

Preventing HIV/AIDS:

i.        Abstinence is the surest way of preventive measures

                         ii.                 Students should avoid premarital sex

                       iii.                 Be faithful to your sex partner

                       iv.                 Avoid sex with strangers or those who may have multiple partners 

v.      Get tested. People who don't know they have HIV infection and who look and feel healthy are the most likely to transmit it to others.

vi.    DO. NOT use illegal drugs and do not share needles or syringes. Many communities have needle exchange programs, where you can get rid of used syringes and get new, sterile ones. Staff at these programs can also refer you for addiction treatment.

vii.  Avoid contact with another person's blood. If possible, wear protective clothing, a mask, and goggles when caring for people who are injured.

viii.If you test positive for HIV, you can pass the virus to others. You should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm.

ix.    HIV-positive women who might become pregnant should talk to their provider about the risk to their unborn child. They should also discuss methods to prevent their baby from becoming infected, such as taking antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy.

x.      Breastfeeding should be avoided to prevent passing HIV to infants through breast milk.

Safer sex practices, such as using latex condoms, are effective in preventing the spread of HIV. But there is still a risk of getting the infection, even with the use of condoms (for example, condoms can tear, lick or fake). Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

HIV-positive people who are taking antiretroviral medicines are less likely to transmit the virus. The US blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention right away. DO NOT delay. Starting antiviral medicines right after the exposure (up to 3 days after) can reduce the chance that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). It has been used to prevent transmission in health care workers injured by needle sticks.

The Difference between HIV and AIDS

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a condition that describes and advanced state of HIV infection manifesting in difference illnesses and diseases.

Anyone infected with HIV although healthy, can still transmit the virus to another person. It can take up to 3 – 10 years for HIV to manifest and damage the immune system.

HIV and AIDS Education

Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) lessons are part of the Nigerian school curriculum. The requirements include a comprehensive list of topics related to HIV, including the basic facts about HIV transmission and prevention, alongside more complex issues such as stigma and gender-based violence. One study in 2013 evaluated the successes and failures of the curriculum, finding that pupil enrolment is increasing, teachers are mostly adequately trained, and learning is likely to reduce new HIV infections. However, there are not enough teachers for the number of pupils and the number of classrooms and teachers are concentrated in certain areas.

Preventing TB among people living with HIV

Nigeria is one of ten countries worldwide that together make up 80% of all people living with HIV infections.

Management of HIV Infection

1.           Seek for medical attention

2.           Take balance diet to improve your body immunity

3.           Use antiretroviral therapy (ART) when prescribed by medical practitioner to decrease viral load and slow down progression to AIDS

Note: ART is not a cure, or vaccine to AIDS not every HIV positive person needs it. A person on or placed  on ART drugs can still infect others.

Lesson to learn

Teachers should assist students to know that a single exposure can make them vulnerable to HIV.

Students therefore need to resist negative peer pressure and stay focused and lastly students should go for HIV test to be sure of themselves.

Population

The Population Census provides the fullest and most reliable picture of the country's population and its characteristics at the "Census Day" (a particular point in time to which the census relates). In the census, data is collected at a specified time from the entire population; in contrast to other surveys, in which information is collected from only a small part of the residents, and from that conclusions are reached regarding the general population.

The Population Census is unique in that it provides the possibility of examining small and special population groups, and acquiring information on small geographic units.
The census is one of the most important sources of information that provides a basis for the official statistics or documentary of a particular countries actual numbers.

A population census, by the definition customary today, is a complete process of collection, reception, assessment, analysis, publication and distribution of demographic, economic and social data, which relate, at a given moment in time, to all the residents of a country or of a well-defined partial geographic area; as reflected in the Population and Housing Censuses Handbook of the UN, 1992. In a simple way it is the head count of people residing in the country. 

The source of the word "census" is the Latin verb 'censere', which means - contrary to what's expected - not 'to count' but rather 'to assess', or in a term closer to the world of statistics, 'to estimate' (The Encyclopedia Americana, 1951). As strange as it may sound, despite the great progress made in this field, there is no practical method for determining accurately and completely the size and characteristics of any large population. The census, therefore, proves only an agreed-upon estimate, but it is a good estimate.

Stages of expediting the census

Conducting a census is a most complex undertaking, and therefore meticulous planning of each detail is required in the census process - in the methodological, contents and technological fields, as well as the organizational and administrative aspects. Great importance and a special emphasis are placed on planning and prior preparation when planning the execution of a census, preparation that includes many tests and repeated trials.

Census activities can be divided into three main stages:

1. The planning stage.

2. The stage of data collection

3. The stage of producing the results.

The first stage - planning and preparation towards data collection. This stage is critical. During this stage, and especially at its beginning, the purpose and methodology of the census are determined, the main strategically decisions are made, and intermediate goals are defined, whose achievement makes the realization of the final goals possible. A great emphasis is put on the development of methods and means designed to achieve the goals of the census.

 The second stage - data collection

During this stage data on the census population is collected, by direct contact with the residents and/or through information found in administrative resources. This is the most intensive stage, especially if the data collection in the field is extensive. This stage requires complex logistic preparation and is conducted in a relatively short period of time (several months).

The third stage - producing the results; including receipt, processing, estimation, analysis, publication and distribution of the census data This stage is long and complex, from a professional viewpoint. During this stage three major activities occur simultaneously: Preparation of the final file of the census data (including receipt of the information, identification and correction of errors, editing of the data collected, imputation of missing data and calculation of estimates). Production of products by which the findings of the census are published and distributed, in the form of various statistical summaries and their analyses, or as files of anonymous individual records. Conducting activities of data assessment, from which a picture results of the extent of coverage of the population and the quality of the information produced 

Family live education

Definition of the of family life education; it is an educational process designed to help people in their physical, social, emotional and moral development as they get ready for adulthood, marriage etc. family life education can also be seen as a relationship between family members and their respective roles and functions. This has to extend to the patterns of production in the family.

Population and resources availability: due to the limited resources and non reward able, it then becomes safer and better to have population growth rate that is commensurable with the resources available. In order words we should cut our coat according to our cloth.

Population related belief and values, some of our socio-cultural beliefs and values some time affect the lives of our people. For instance,

1.           preferring male issue

2.           Taking into consideration into food taboo (denying women to eat gizzards) there are some people that prohibit children from eating egg or meat for the fear of becoming long thought when they grow up.

3.           refusal of women to own land and engage in important discussion

4.           early marriage

5.           outcast (osu) system

6.           counting children as a taboo

7.           killing cow for women who has 12 children

8.           the belief that important discussions about the family should only be taken by men alone.

All these belief are mere superstitious belief.

Gender issues:

Sex: refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define male and female. They are generally permanent and universal.

Sex role: are functions, responsibilities or tasks an individual perfumes as a result of his or her biological make up as a male of female.

For instance male have testis produce sperm and impregnate women. For women they have ovaries, menstruate get pregnant have babies and produce breast milk.

Gender: refer to the socially constructed roles, behavior, activities and attributes that a given society consider appropriate for males (masculine) and female (feminine)

Gender roles: are the behaviors and characteristics expected of male and female member of a society by that society.

e.g. occupation

i. men (farming, fishing, brick laying, carpentry, plumbing, medicine, engineering, vulcanization).

 ii. female (food, vendee, hair dressing, dress making, teaching, nursing, secretary  work)

The message of family life education is of the view that both boys and girls should be given equal opportunity. Parent should note that the education of girls is as important as that of boys and therefore must be encouraged. The traditional Igbo culture should reverse their belief on placing more importance on boy-child; they should be made to understand that gone are the days when only men are sent to school. It is said train a woman and trains the nation.

1.           Men and women playing different but complementary role to promote the well being of the family. Men and women should be given equal opportunity in taking care of the house needs there should be no demarcation.

2.           Traditional roles assigned to the men and women promote gender imbalance families should define role to play by female and male depending on their ability interest, age and equality, example if the parents cannot afford training all the children in school they should look for the intelligent one and train them him/her not minding the sex.

3.           Gender stereotypes are harmful to both men and women the specialization division should be overlooked. That is seeing the men as the provider or the bread winner of the family and then women’s is in the kitchen and to take care of the children. This idea should be stroked off. Male and female should take care of the family when the need arises.

4.           Boys and girls should be given equal attention on everything. In Igbo land male children are paid more attention than the girls. This is because it is of their belief that ht male will take over or be the successor when the father is longer and alive and retain the families name. it is not a crime for a woman to own a family house or land.

5.           Equal participation of women and men in all areas of family and household responsibility will promote gender equality.

6.           There should be no discrimination of the labour market into masculine and feminine occupations by employees.

                Core messages:

                     The main aim of family life education is to promote the quality of life of the citizens.

                      Messages includes

1.           family seize and welfare e.g. child spacing etc

2.           delayed marriage

3.           responsible parenthood

4.           population change and resource development ( including customs, values and belief)

5.           gender issue

6.           sexually transmitted diseases AIDS/HIV drugs.

7.           primary health care concept

                              Consequences of small family size on the individual and economy:

1.           When a family is small in size it becomes easy to maintain, like provision of basic needs e.g comfortable accommodation, good medication, adequate diet. etc

2.           The family member has a better standard of living

3.           There is equitable distribution of available resources this is a situation where things are shared equally without cheating anyone.

4.           The family maintain normal population growth rate. Low/small family size are easy to record normally and hence the fear of over population is a forgone story.

5.           Because of small family size it becomes easy to give the children proper moral upbringing that enables the child to acquire societal values that enable them to fit properly in society.

6.           Family stands a better chance for better education opportunity for its members ant the improvement of reduction inequality of life of the members.

              The consequences of large family size on the quality of life of its members:

1.           Poverty: due to the size of the family there are difficulties to provide the needs of the family.

2.           Over population (population explosion): this is a very risky in that the country is faced with too many people that cannot be adequate catered for and may resort to endanger the life of others.

3.           poor moral upbringing: since the family is very large the parents lacks control of the children an this may lead them into stealing, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other societal ill that are very bad to write home about.

4.           Neglect and child abuse: the children may be forced to marry early, send to hawk and do all odd job for the family to survive.

5.           Denial of sound education: as a result of large family not all the children will be given opportunity of education. This is because the available financial resource may not be enough to cater or pay the school fess of the kids