DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i03.059

Pages: 1102-1105

As common infectious and parasitic diseases such as malaria and the HIV/AIDS pandemic remain major unresolved health problems in many developing countries, emerging non-communicable diseases relating to diet and lifestyle have been increasing over the last two decades, creating a double burden of disease and impacting negatively on the already over-stretched health services in these countries. This shift in disease patterns from acute to chronic diseases makes self- care both a logical necessity and an appropriate strategy. This paper aims at studying the various self- care activities essential for promoting health and preventing diseases. This article reviews relevant literatures from Google search, medical journals, books and health survey reports. Self- care activities comprise observance of simple rules of behavior relating to diet, sleep, exercise, weight, alcohol, smoking and drugs. Others include attention to personal hygiene, cultivation of healthful habits and lifestyle, undergoing selective medical examinations and screening, accepting immunization, reporting early when sick and accepting treatment, undertaking measures for the prevention of a relapse or the spread of the disease to others.