1.7 Family planning and venereal diseases

Natural sciences

Grade 9

Life processes: healthy life

Module 8

Family planning and vevereal diseases

Venereal disease:

• As sex involves close contact between two persons, infectious diseases are transferred very easily. VENEREAL DISEASE is transferred through SEXUAL CONTACT .

Venereal diseases have different symptoms:

AIDS

• The immune system is under attack

The infected person develops illnesses such as cancer, pneumonia and fungal infections and has no defense against them

GONORRHOEA

• Babies are born blind
• Burning sensation when urinating

Painful wrists

SYPHILIS

• Sores on genital organs
• Skin rashes

Bacteria could attack the brain and cause blindness and mental disease

• QUESTIONS ABOUT VENEREAL DISEASES:

1. Which of the above diseases can be treated successfully? How?

2. What is the difference between “HIV-positive” and “AIDS”?

3. How could a person who is HIV-positive extend his or her life expectancy?

4. What is NEVIRAPINE and for what is it prescribed?

Assessment: Questions on VENEREAL DISEASES

Were you able to answer the questions successfully?

LO 2.3

Family planning and contraception:

Couples nowadays have various reasons for wanting to limit the size of their families to fewer or no children and the prevention of pregnancy has become an important issue for them.

Family planning concerns a couple’s planning for pregnancies, usually with the idea of providing financial security for their children.

Many couples, however, simply want to prevent pregnancy altogether and therefore make use of the same METHODS OF contraceptiON .

Methods of contraception:

• There are NATURAL and ARTIFICIAL MEANS of contraception:

Natural:

• ABSTINENCE – no sexual intercourse. The popularity of this method by young people is increasing. It is one of a few methods that prevent pregnancy completely (100%) and also prevents sexual diseases.
• The rhythm method – During ovulation the body temperature increases. By keeping a record of body temperature, a woman can know when she is ovulating. This information can help couples to avoid, or achieve, pregnancy.

Artificial methods:

CONDOM: a rubber sheath placed over the penis

DIAPHRAGM: a rubber shield that is inserted by a woman before intercourse

IUD (intra-uterine device). A device that is inserted into the uterus by a doctor, and which remains in place for months

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS: “The Pill”

STERILISATION:Tubes are bound or severed

Class activity: discussion on contraception

1. Why should people use family planning? List three reasons.

2. Explain why the rhythm method is not very dependable as a method of contraception.

3. Why is abstinence gaining popularity as a method of contraception?

4. Explain why none of the artificial methods can be regarded as 100% reliable.

5. Explain what each of the following is:

a) a VASECTOMY

b) a HYSTERECTOMY

c) SPERMICIDAL CREAM

6. When you marry, how many children would you like to have, and why?

7. What do you think of ABORTION? Remember that all of us are entitled to our own opinions!

Assessment: CLASS DISCUSSION

Are you able to detect the connection between science and the society in which you live?

SO 3.1

Assessment

Learning Outcomes 2 : Constructing Science Knowledge

The learner will know and be able to interpret and apply scientific, technological and environmental knowledge.

We know this when the learner:

2.3 interprets information

Learning Outcomes 3: Science, society and environment

The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between science and technology, society and the environment.

We know this when the learner:

3.1 understands science as a human endeavour.

Memorandum

QUESTIONS ABOUT VENEREAL DISEASES:

1. bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics

2. HIV+ means that a person has been infected with the virus; AIDS is the full-blown disease

3. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, medication that suppresses the virus infection

4. Prevents mother to child transmission of the virus at and after birth

CLASS ACTIVITY: DISCUSSION ON CONTRACEPTION

1. Quality of life, financial security, costs of living, education

2. cycles may vary – not reliable

3. the only method with real guarantees; return to stronger moral values because of fears related to HIV and other factors

4. All are fallible because of the human aspect.

5. a) severing of sperm tubes of the male – sterilisation

b) removal of the uterus of the female – sterilisation

c) medicinal cream that is usually applied together with other products for contraception

6 and 7 own opinion