1.1 Introduction
Students performance in secondary schools over the years, have not been very encouraging. This has been giving the government and parents a lot of causes for concern. Some analysts have likened the cause for concern of this problem to the incessant strike action embarked upon by teachers as a result of irregular payment of salaries. Others attribute it to lack of seriousness on the part of the students. These facts may not be far from the truth. The analysis however, cannot be said to be thorough without researching on student’s family background which goes a long way to affect their performance in school. Health is a major in man’s existence and without good health productivity in whatever sphere of activity is at its lowest ebb i.e. to become gradually weather less. Therefore according to oxford dictionary, health is the condition of a person’s body or mind both physical and mental.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Health is a vital issue that can never be sidelined in every human life. Nigeria’s health care delivery system consists of a network of primary, secondary and tertiary facilities. As at 1992, according to Encyclopedia of the Nation Africa Nigeria primary car was largely, provided through approximately 4,000. Health clinics and dispensaries scattered throughout the country and for the secondary care, there were about 700 health centres and 1,670 maternity centres. Tertiary care was handled thorough University Teaching Hospitals and FMCs throughout Nigeria.
According to Encyclopedia of the Nation Africa Nigeria, although, as at 1999 there were estimates physicians and hospital beds per 1000 people. The lack of proper facilities and inadequate remuneration of public sector. The country is in need of medical supplies and equipment some pharmaceuticals are manufactured in Nigeria. In 2000, 57% of population access to safe drinking water and 43% had adequate sanitation. In Nigeria the primary and secondary Health Care lacks proper facilities and equipment.
In other word, secondary Health care providing patient and in patient services in general medicals surgical, pediatric and community health service secondary health care is available at the districts and zonal level of the state. Adequate support service such as laboratory, diagnostic, blood bank rehabilitation and physiotherapy are provided. The tertiary health care, this level consist of highly specialized service provided by teaching hospital and other specialist hospital which provide care for specific disease such as orthopaedic, eye psychiatric, maternity and pediatric cases and availability services. Also appropriate support services are incorporated into the development of these tertiary facilities to provide effective referred service, similarly, selected centered are encouraged to develop special expertise in advantage modern technology to serve as a resources for evaluating and adapting this new development in the contact of local needs and opportunities.
Students represent future generation of the society. Ensuring their healthy growth and development ought to be a prime concern of all societies. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and infections of diseases, many which can be effectively prevented or treated. Eating a variety of healthy food is the key to well balanced diet and good nutrition. It keeps the body working well and helps prevent diseases. A healthy child is one who eats balanced diet and those not need multi – vitamins to stimulate the child to eat more.
Health is a major in man’s existence and without good health productivity in whatever sphere of activity is at its lowest ebb i.e. to become gradually weather less. Therefore according to oxford dictionary, health is the condition of a person’s body or mind both physical and mental. Therefore the study of health problem in Nigeria school is very important because it make the teacher to know the health condition of the students so as to enhance learning and boost teaching.
Students’ health has clearly improved over the past several decades significant and positive gains have been made in lowering rates of infant mortality and mobility from infectious diseases and accidental causes, improved access to health care and reduction in the environment contaminants such as lead.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Factors Responsible for Poor Health Habits among Secondary School Students using Some Selected Secondary School in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the poor health among school students has become the concern for this study, to inculcate the importance of health habits at a very delicate the importance of health habits at a very stage or development, in life among the students needs an effort to achieve it. A lot of factors are responsible for the poor health on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students.
In this research attempt will be made to look at the problems students face in some secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a result of extended family system. The study will also include some suggestions which can help to improve on their performance in school.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Factors Responsible for Poor Health Habits Among Secondary School Students using Some Selected Secondary School in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the factors affecting the students’ health in the area under review.
- To determine the causes of health problem in the area under review;
- To highlight some factors that gave rise to poor health habits among secondary school students;
- To examine the implication of separating children with poor health from those with good health; and
- To suggest ways in which parents can help in improving the poor health of their Secondary School Students in the area under review.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors affecting the students’ health in the area under review?
- What are the causes of health problem in the area under review?
- What are the factors that gave rise to poor health habits among secondary school students?
- What is the implication of separating children with poor health from those with good health?
- What are the possible ways in which parents can help in improving the poor health of their Secondary School Students in the area under review?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Extended family system has no significant impact on student’s performance in secondary schools
- H1: Extended family system has a significant impact on student’s performance in secondary schools
Hypothesis Two
- H0: The low performance of students in secondary schools is not associated with extended family system.
- H1: The low performance of students in secondary schools is associated with extended family system.
1.7 Significance of Study
The poor performances of students in school are as a result of extended family system. Therefore is important to study these problems so that the researcher will be in a better position to give appropriate advice to people concerned.
This study will be of importance to social studies teachers as they would in the position to act as counsellors to the students. This research will make parents to be aware of various factors responsible for student’s poor performance in school. Nevertheless, parents have always blamed poor student’s academic attainment on laxity and lack of interest on the part of the teacher.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Factors Responsible for Poor Health Habits among Secondary School Students using Some Selected Secondary School in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in this study:
Health:
This is the state of complete physical, mental, emotional and social well being of individual.
EBB:
This is to become gradually weaker or less
Disgust:
A very strong feeling of dislike that almost make sick caused by something unpleasant
Procurement:
This is the process of obtaining supplies of something, especially for a government or organization
Pharmaceutical:
These are people connected with making and selling drugs.
Physiotherapy:
This means physical therapy is a treatment of disease, injury or weakness in the joints or muscles by exercises, message and the light and heat.
Rehabilitation:
This is to help someone to have a normal, useful life again after they have been very ill/sick or in prison for a long time.
