Observation

This question was popular among candidates and they had varying degree of performance. Some candidates however gave incorrect answers such as always feeling sleepy, dim eyes, pain when swallowing as signs and symptoms of malaria in response to Question 9(a)(i). In 9(a)(ii), some candidates also wrongly stated that wearing of glasses, yellow fever, headache as methods of detecting eye defects.

The expected answers are as follows:

• (a)(i)   Signs and symptoms of malaria
• Cold/chills
• Severe headache
• High temperature/fever
• Perspiration/sweating
• Pains in the limbs/joints
• General weakness/fatigue/tiredness
• Anaemia/pale skin
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Rapid breathing/heart rate
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite/body weight
• Yellow/amber coloured urine
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Shivering
• Catarrh
• Sore throat     

                                                                       
(ii)    Preventive measures for malaria

• Clear/eradicate the breeding places of mosquitoes
• Good environmental sanitation
• Use of prophylactic drugs
• Use of mosquito nets/Screen windows with nets
• Periodic medical examination
• Use repellant creams
• Use of insecticides
• Pour oil on stagnant waters in environment
• Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts
• Arrange health education talks/enlightenment

                                                                                           
(b)(i) Vector of malaria
Female Anopheles mosquito                                                 

(ii) Causative agent of malaria
Plasmodium                                                                                                                                                                                       

(c)        Methods of detecting Eye defects

• Snellen chart
• Pen torch
• Eye coordination assessment
• Physical observation/screening                      

(d)       Ways of caring for the Ears

• Clean ear regularly
• Avoid exposing ear to loud noises/use ear muff in noisy environment
• Do not put any sharp object into the ears
• Promptly treat any infection that can spread to the ears
• Avoid blows on the ears
• Put on ear plugs while swimming/ flying
• Seek regular medical checkup of the ear
• Avoid the use of harmful liquids to remove ear wax