Influence of Social Studies Health Related Topics and Teaching Strategies on Students’ Knowledge and Handling of Ebola Disease in Osun State Secondary Schools

This research investigated the influence of Social Studies health related topics and strategies on students’ knowledge and handling of Ebola virus disease with a view to promoting hygienic culture and as a way of preventing Ebola outbreak in Osun State, Nigeria. The sample comprised 182 students from three intact classes selected from three junior secondary school one (JSSI) in Osun State using simple random sampling technique. There were two experimental groups and one control group. Two instruments were used for the research. Data collected were subjected to t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The result showed that Social Studies health related topics and the instructional strategies had influence on students’ knowledge (t =74.28, p<0.05) and handling of Ebola virus disease (t =34.81, p<0.05). The result also indicated that there was a significant difference in the effectiveness of demonstration, discussion and teacher expository strategies on students’ knowledge (F = 67.204, p < 0.05) and handling of Ebola virus disease (F = 20.776, p < 0.05) in favour of demonstration and discussion strategies (p = 0.000). This study concluded that Social Studies health related topics can be used to control the outbreak and spread of Ebola disease in Osun State.

Keywords: Social Studies Health Education, Social Studies Strategies, Ebola Knowledge, Ebola Disease.