Maternal and Child Health — MCQs

Maternal and Child Health Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 421: The formula with the numerator as maternal deaths and the denominator as women of reproductive age is used to calculate which of the following?

A. Maternal mortality rate (Correct Answer)
B. Maternal mortality ratio
C. Perinatal mortality rate
D. Perinatal mortality ratio

Explanation: ***Maternal mortality rate*** - This formula calculates the **maternal mortality rate**, which expresses the risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes among women of reproductive age in a population. - It uses the total number of maternal deaths in the numerator and the total number of **women of reproductive age** (usually 15-49 years) in the denominator, typically multiplied by a constant (e.g., 100,000) to get a per population figure. *Maternal mortality ratio* - The **maternal mortality ratio** uses the number of **live births** (or live births plus stillbirths) in the denominator, not women of reproductive age. - It measures the risk of maternal death per 100,000 live births, reflecting the obstetric risk associated with each pregnancy. *Perinatal mortality rate* - The **perinatal mortality rate** relates to deaths of fetuses and newborns (typically from 22 weeks gestation up to 7 days after birth), not maternal deaths. - Its numerator includes **fetal deaths** and **early neonatal deaths**, and the denominator is usually total births (live births + stillbirths). *Perinatal mortality ratio* - This term is less commonly used as a distinct epidemiological measure; typically, the term **perinatal mortality rate** encompasses both the frequency of perinatal deaths relative to total births. - It does not involve maternal deaths or women of reproductive age in its calculation.

Question 422: What does JSSK stand for?

A. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Correct Answer)
B. Janani Shishu Swasthya Karyakram
C. Janani Shishu Suraksha Kendra
D. Janani Shishu Swasthya Kendra

Explanation: ***Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram*** - **JSSK** is a program initiated by the Indian government to provide **free healthcare services** to pregnant women and sick neonates. - The acronym stands for **Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram**, emphasizing "Karyakram" which means program. *Janani Shishu Swasthya Karyakram* - While "Swasthya" means **health**, it is not the correct word in the official acronym for this government initiative. - The official program focuses on "Suraksha" or **safety/protection** for mother and child during childbirth and infancy. *Janani Shishu Suraksha Kendra* - "Kendra" means **center** and indicates a facility, but the program itself is broader than just a center. - The initiative is a comprehensive "Karyakram" or **program** of services, not merely a physical location. *Janani Shishu Swasthya Kendra* - This option incorrectly combines "Swasthya" (health) and "Kendra" (center), neither of which accurately reflect the full acronym. - The correct acronym uses "Suraksha" (safety/protection) and "Karyakram" (program).

Question 423: Under the Anaemia Mukt Bharath initiative, mild to moderate anaemia in pregnant women <34 weeks of gestation is treated using:

A. IM ferric carboxy maltose (FCM)
B. IV iron sucrose for non-compliance with oral tablets
C. 2 iron and folic acid tablets OD+IV iron sucrose
D. 1-2 IFA tablets daily (depending on severity) (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***1-2 IFA tablets daily (depending on severity)*** - The **Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)** guidelines recommend **oral iron and folic acid (IFA)** supplementation as the primary treatment for mild to moderate anaemia in pregnant women <34 weeks gestation. - **Mild anaemia (Hb 10-10.9 g/dL):** 1 IFA tablet daily (100 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid) - **Moderate anaemia (Hb 7-9.9 g/dL):** 2 IFA tablets twice daily (total 200 mg elemental iron per day) - Oral IFA is safe, cost-effective, and addresses the underlying nutritional deficiency. *IM ferric carboxy maltose (FCM)* - **Intramuscular (IM) iron** formulations like FCM are generally reserved for cases of severe anaemia, malabsorption, or intolerance to oral iron. - For mild to moderate anaemia, IM iron is not the **first-line treatment** under AMB guidelines due to potential injection site reactions and the effectiveness of oral alternatives. *IV iron sucrose for non-compliance with oral tablets* - **Intravenous (IV) iron sucrose** is indicated for specific situations such as severe anaemia (Hb <7 g/dL), significant malabsorption, documented intolerance, or persistent non-compliance with oral iron. - However, for mild to moderate anaemia, efforts are made to ensure compliance with oral treatment before resorting to **parenteral iron**, particularly given its higher cost and need for administration in a healthcare setting. *2 iron and folic acid tablets OD+IV iron sucrose* - Combining **oral iron tablets with IV iron sucrose** is not recommended for mild to moderate anaemia under AMB guidelines. - This approach would be considered **overtreatment** for mild to moderate anaemia in the absence of severe anaemia or documented failure of oral therapy despite good compliance.

Question 424: Compared to a pregnant female, a lactating female would require a higher level of nutrient supplementation for which of the following?

A. Calcium (Correct Answer)
B. Folic acid
C. Iron
D. Vitamin A

Explanation: ***Calcium*** - **Lactating women** require higher calcium intake compared to pregnant women due to significant calcium transfer into **breast milk** for infant bone development. - This increased demand helps maintain maternal bone density and ensures adequate calcium supply for the baby. *Folic acid* - **Folic acid** is critically important during **pregnancy** to prevent neural tube defects, with supplementation typically decreasing postpartum. - While still necessary, the daily recommended intake for lactating women is generally lower than during pregnancy. *Iron* - **Iron requirements** are highest during **pregnancy** to support increased maternal blood volume and fetal development. - In lactating women, iron needs often decrease postpartum, especially if there was minimal blood loss during delivery and menstruation has not yet resumed. *Vitamin A* - While **Vitamin A** is important for both pregnant and lactating women, the recommended intake for pregnant women tends to be slightly higher, especially for **fetal organ development**. - Excessive vitamin A can be teratogenic during pregnancy, so supplementation needs careful monitoring in both states.

Question 425: A resource-limited setting shows high rates of congenital syphilis despite antenatal screening programs. Lab records show stock-outs and delayed results. Which integrated approach is most cost-effective?

A. Implementation of point-of-care testing with same-day treatment (Correct Answer)
B. Enhanced partner notification only
C. Universal prophylactic treatment
D. Increased lab capacity with result tracking system

Explanation: ***Implementation of point-of-care testing with same-day treatment*** - This approach directly addresses **stock-outs** and **delayed results** by providing immediate diagnosis and treatment, significantly reducing the window for mother-to-child transmission. - **Point-of-care testing (POCT)** eliminates the need for complex lab infrastructure and transport, making it highly cost-effective and efficient in resource-limited settings. *Enhanced partner notification only* - While important for controlling syphilis spread, **partner notification alone** does not solve the fundamental issues of delayed diagnosis and treatment for the pregnant woman. - It would not prevent congenital syphilis in cases where the mother's infection is already established and untreated due to diagnostic delays. *Universal prophylactic treatment* - Administering **universal prophylactic treatment** without a confirmed diagnosis is not cost-effective due to unnecessary drug use, potential for antibiotic resistance, and wastage of resources. - It would also not address the underlying systemic issues of screening program failures, only providing a broad, untargeted intervention. *Increased lab capacity with result tracking system* - This option addresses **delayed results** and **stock-outs** but requires significant financial investment in infrastructure, equipment, and personnel, which may not be feasible or as rapid in implementation as POCT. - Even with increased capacity, transport of samples and results can still introduce delays, and the cost-benefit might be lower compared to immediate POCT.

Question 426: Main focus of UNICEF is on?

A. Child health (Correct Answer)
B. Social health
C. Mental health
D. Nutritional health

Explanation: ***Child health*** - UNICEF's primary mission focuses on advocating for the protection of children's rights, helping to meet their basic needs, and expanding their opportunities to reach their full potential. - This encompasses various aspects of child welfare, with **child health** being a fundamental and overarching priority. *Social health* - While UNICEF's work indirectly contributes to **social health** by fostering community well-being, its direct and explicit focus is not primarily on the broader concept of social health. - Social health is a very broad term that encompasses many aspects not directly and exclusively dealt with by UNICEF. *Mental health* - **Child mental health** is an increasingly recognized area of focus for UNICEF, but it falls under the broader umbrella of child health and well-being, rather than being its sole or main focus. - While important, mental health is a component of overall child health, not the singular main focus. *Nutritional health* - **Nutritional health** is a critical component of child health and a significant area of intervention for UNICEF. - However, it represents one vital aspect within the comprehensive scope of "child health," not the exclusive main focus.

Question 427: What is a target couple?

A. Couple using contraception
B. Couple with 3 children
C. Couple that is eligible for practicing family planning
D. Currently married couple where the wife is in reproductive age (15-49 years) (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Currently married couple where the wife is in reproductive age (15-49 years)*** - This is the **official definition** of a target couple according to the **National Family Welfare Programme** of India. - A target couple is specifically defined as a **currently married couple** in which the wife is in the **reproductive age group (15-49 years)**. - This operational definition is used for **planning, monitoring, and evaluation** of family planning services in India. - It forms the basis for calculating **couple protection rate (CPR)** and other family planning indicators. *Couple that is eligible for practicing family planning* - While this is conceptually broad and inclusive, it is **not the standard operational definition** used in Indian public health programs. - The official definition is more specific and includes marital status and age criteria for program planning purposes. *Couple using contraception* - This describes a **protected couple** or **couple currently using contraception**, not a target couple. - Target couples include both those using and not using contraception, as they represent the denominator for family planning coverage. *Couple with 3 children* - The number of children is **not a defining criterion** for a target couple. - Target couples are defined by marital status and reproductive age, regardless of parity (number of children).

Question 428: IMCI approach developed by WHO encompasses the following childhood illnesses Except

A. Measles
B. Malaria
C. Diarrhoea
D. Chicken pox (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Chicken pox*** - The **Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)** strategy focuses on major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. - **Chickenpox** is generally a self-limiting viral illness in otherwise healthy children and is not a primary focus of the IMCI guidelines for acute management. *Measles* - **Measles** is a highly contagious and potentially severe childhood illness that is explicitly covered in the IMCI guidelines. - Due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in malnourished children, IMCI includes guidance on its recognition, classification, and management. *Malaria* - **Malaria** is a leading cause of childhood death in many endemic regions and is a core component of the IMCI strategy. - IMCI provides clear algorithms for the assessment, classification, and treatment of malaria, particularly in children under five. *Diarrhoea* - **Diarrhoea** is one of the most common causes of illness and death in young children, making it a critical disease addressed by the IMCI approach. - IMCI includes detailed protocols for assessing dehydration, classifying the severity of diarrhoea, and guiding treatment.

Question 429: Under HBNC (Home-Based Newborn Care), which is NOT a remuneration activity for ASHA workers?

A. Recording of birth weight
B. Counseling mothers on newborn care practices
C. Institutional delivery (Correct Answer)
D. Registration of birth

Explanation: ***Institutional delivery*** - Under the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) program, ASHA workers receive remuneration specifically for **home-based newborn care activities** during the first 42 days after birth. - **Institutional delivery incentives are provided separately under JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana)**, not under HBNC remuneration. - While ASHAs promote institutional deliveries, this is compensated through a different program, making it the correct answer to this EXCEPT question. *Recording of birth weight* - ASHAs are remunerated for recording birth weight during home visits, especially for home births. - This is a crucial HBNC activity for identifying low birth weight babies and at-risk newborns requiring special care. *Counseling mothers on newborn care practices* - ASHAs receive remuneration for conducting home visits (up to 6 visits in 42 days) where they counsel mothers on breastfeeding, thermal care, hygiene, and danger signs. - This counseling is a core component of HBNC and is directly compensated. *Registration of birth* - ASHAs are incentivized under HBNC to facilitate birth registration of all newborns. - This ensures complete documentation and access to health services for all newborns in the community.

Question 430: CARE International is primarily associated with -

A. ICDS
B. Emergency relief and poverty alleviation (Correct Answer)
C. RCH scheme
D. Ford Foundation

Explanation: ***Emergency relief and poverty alleviation*** - **CARE International** is a major international humanitarian organization founded in 1945, primarily focused on **fighting global poverty** with special attention to **emergency relief**, **food security**, and **working with women and girls**. - CARE operates in over 100 countries providing disaster response, economic development programs, health services, education, and advocacy for the world's poorest communities. - The name originally stood for "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe" and later became "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere." *CRY* - **CRY (Child Rights and You)** is an **Indian NGO** founded in 1979, focused specifically on child rights and welfare in India. - This is a completely separate organization from CARE International, though both work in development sectors. *ICDS* - The **Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)** is a **government-sponsored program in India**. - ICDS focuses on providing **food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health check-up, and referral services** to children under 6 years of age and their mothers. *RCH scheme* - The **Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) scheme** is a **government initiative in India**. - It aims to reduce **infant and maternal mortality** by providing comprehensive reproductive and child health services.

Practice by Chapter

Maternal Mortality: Causes and Prevention

Practice Questions

Antenatal Care

Practice Questions

Intranatal Care

Practice Questions

Postnatal Care

Practice Questions

High-Risk Pregnancy Management

Practice Questions

Infant Mortality: Causes and Prevention

Practice Questions

Under-Five Mortality

Practice Questions

Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness

Practice Questions

School Health Services

Practice Questions

Adolescent Health

Practice Questions

Reproductive and Child Health Programs

Practice Questions

International Maternal and Child Health Initiatives

Practice Questions

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