Public Health Administration Practice Questions

Q: A screening programme for school children was undertaken with the following results: 1. 30% boys and 60% girls were found to be anemic 2. 50% children had history of passing worms in stool 3. 10% children had poor vision 4. 5% children had enlarged tonsils In this context, which of the following is not an appropriate follow up activity?

Referring those children with enlarged tonsils for surgery. ***Referring those children with enlarged tonsils for surgery*** - Only **5%** of children had enlarged tonsils, and many cases of enlarged tonsils are **asymptomatic** and do not require surgery. - **Tonsillectomy** is a surgical procedure with risks and is typically reserved for recurrent infections or significant airway obstruction, which is not indicated by simple enlargement. *Providing iron supplementation to all children* - A significant proportion of children (30% boys, 60% girls) were found to be **anemic**, making universal iron supplementation a reasonable public health intervention to address widespread nutritional deficiency. - Iron deficiency is common in school-aged children and can impact **cognitive development** and physical performance. *Administering mass deworming medication to all children* - **50%** of children had a history of passing worms in stool, indicating a high prevalence of **intestinal helminthiasis** in the school population. - **Mass deworming** is a cost-effective public health strategy in areas with high prevalence to reduce the burden of worm infections and improve child health outcomes. *Prescribing corrective spectacles to children with poor vision* - **10%** of children had poor vision, a significant percentage that warrants intervention. - Providing **corrective spectacles** is an appropriate and effective follow-up to address refractive errors, which are a common cause of poor vision in children and can impact academic performance.

Q: The term “disease control” describes the ongoing operations aimed at reducing all of the following, except:

Virulence of the disease agent. - ***Virulence of the disease agent*** - Disease control measures *do not aim* to reduce the **inherent virulence** of a pathogen itself; rather, they focus on preventing its transmission and mitigating its effects on individuals and populations. - Pathogen virulence is a characteristic of the organism, not a direct target of public health control strategies, which instead focus on **host protection** and **environmental control**. - *The financial burden to the community* - **Reducing the financial burden** of diseases is a key goal of disease control, as widespread illness can severely impact healthcare costs, productivity, and economic stability. - Effective control measures often lead to significant economic savings by preventing illness and reducing the need for costly treatments and long-term care. - *The incidence of disease* - A primary objective of disease control is to **lower the incidence** (new cases) of a disease within a population through various interventions like vaccination, sanitation, and behavioral changes. - Reducing incidence directly prevents suffering and limits the spread of the disease. - *Prevention of complications* - Disease control strategies often include interventions aimed at **preventing complications** in affected individuals, such as early diagnosis, effective treatment, and secondary prevention measures. - Minimizing complications helps improve patient outcomes, reduces the severity of illness, and lowers long-term healthcare costs.

Q: Which one of the following is included in Indian Public Health Standards for a Primary Health Centre?

Safe abortion services. ***Safe abortion services*** - **Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)** for Primary Health Centres (PHCs) include the provision of safe abortion services, particularly for early pregnancies, to ensure women's reproductive health. - This is part of the comprehensive reproductive and child health services expected at the PHC level to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. *Surgery for hydrocele* - **Surgical procedures** like hydrocelectomy are generally performed at **Community Health Centres (CHCs)** or district hospitals. - While basic outpatient care is provided at PHCs, major surgical interventions are beyond their typical scope and infrastructure. *Blood storage facility* - **Blood storage and transfusion facilities** require specialized equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. - These services are usually available at **higher-level facilities** like CHCs, district hospitals, or specialized blood banks, not typically at PHCs. *Manual removal of placenta* - While the **manual removal of the placenta (MRP)** is an emergency obstetric procedure, it is typically performed at facilities with better equipped **delivery rooms** and access to anesthesia, such as CHCs. - PHCs focus on basic emergency obstetric care and referral, but more complex procedures like MRP often require greater resources.

Q: Consider the following: 1. Literacy rate 2. Life expectancy at birth 3. Life expectancy at the age of one year 4. Infant mortality Which of the above are the components of Physical Quality of Life Index (P.Q.L.I.)?

1, 2 and 4. ***1, 2 and 4*** - The **Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)** developed by Morris David Morris includes three core components: 1. **Literacy rate** (basic literacy at age 15+) 2. **Infant mortality rate** (per 1000 live births) 3. **Life expectancy at age one year** (not at birth) - While the question lists "life expectancy at birth" (option 2), the PQLI technically uses **life expectancy at age one**. However, since option 3 (life expectancy at age one) is not included in this answer choice and both are closely related measures of population health, this option represents the three domains covered by PQLI: **education (literacy), health outcomes (infant mortality), and longevity (life expectancy)**. - Components **1, 2, and 4** together capture the multidimensional aspects of quality of life. *2 and 4* - This option is incomplete as it excludes **literacy rate**, which is a fundamental component of PQLI. - Education is a critical dimension of quality of life measurement. *1 and 2* - This option excludes **infant mortality rate**, which is one of the three core components of PQLI. - Infant mortality is essential for measuring health status in the population. *1 and 4 only* - While this includes two correct components (**literacy rate** and **infant mortality**), it excludes the life expectancy measure entirely. - PQLI requires all three dimensions: education, mortality, and longevity.

Q: Chemoprophylaxis is an example of:

Specific protection. ***Specific protection*** - **Chemoprophylaxis** involves administering drugs to prevent the development of a specific disease, thus providing **specific protection** against it. - This falls under the level of **primary prevention**, aimed at preventing disease onset. *Early detection* - This refers to identifying a disease at an early stage, such as through **screening programs** like mammography or pap smears. - Chemoprophylaxis aims to prevent the disease from occurring, not to detect it after it has begun. *Health promotion* - This involves promoting good health through general measures like **health education**, **nutritional counseling**, and encouraging physical activity. - While it contributes to overall well-being, it is not a direct, specific disease prevention method like chemoprophylaxis. *Rehabilitation* - This stage of prevention focuses on restoring function and preventing disability after a disease or injury has occurred, such as through **physical therapy** or occupational therapy. - Chemoprophylaxis is implemented *before* the disease manifests, not after.

Q: Sullivan Index is the measure of which of the following?

Quality of life. ***Quality of life*** - The **Sullivan index** (also known as disability-free life expectancy) is a health indicator that measures the expected years of life free from disability. - It combines mortality data with data on self-reported disability to assess the **overall health and well-being** of a population. *Pregnancy rate* - This measures the **number of pregnancies** per 1,000 women of reproductive age. - It is a demographic indicator and is **not related** to the Sullivan Index. *Disability rate* - This measures the **prevalence or incidence of disability** within a population at a specific time. - While disability data is used in the Sullivan index calculation, the index itself represents a **health expectancy** (years lived without disability), not just the rate of disability. *Literacy rate* - This measures the **percentage of the population** that can read and write. - It is an **educational and social indicator** and has no direct relation to the Sullivan index.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Registration of birth, even if the child is born in a hospital, is essentially the responsibility of parents only. 2. At present, the registration of birth has to be done not more than 15 days after the birth. Which of these statements is/are correct?

Neither 1 nor 2. ***Neither 1 nor 2*** - Statement 1 is incorrect because the responsibility for birth registration in a hospital primarily lies with the **medical officer in charge** or other authorized personnel under Section 12 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, not solely the parents. - Statement 2 is incorrect because the stipulated period for birth registration is **21 days** from birth, not 15 days, according to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. *1 only* - This option is incorrect because Statement 1 wrongly places the **sole responsibility** for birth registration on parents, even in a hospital setting. - In a hospital, the **medical officer in charge** or designated staff is primarily responsible for initiating the registration process. *2 only* - This option is incorrect because Statement 2 incorrectly asserts that registration must be done within 15 days; the correct period is **21 days**. - Additionally, Statement 1 is also incorrect regarding the sole responsibility of parents. *Both 1 and 2* - This option is incorrect as both statements contain factual errors regarding the responsibility for birth registration and the prescribed timeline. - The responsibility extends beyond just parents, especially in a hospital setting, and the registration period is **21 days**, not 15 days.

Q: Which one of the following Ministries controls the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)?

Ministry of Women and Child Development. ***Ministry of Women and Child Development*** - The **Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)** is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. - This Ministry is responsible for designing and implementing policies and programs for the overall development and protection of women and children. *Ministry of Health and Family Welfare* - This ministry primarily focuses on **health services, disease prevention, and family planning** for the general population. - While it addresses child health, it is not the nodal ministry for the comprehensive protection and welfare of children as encompassed by ICPS. *Ministry of AYUSH* - The Ministry of AYUSH is responsible for the development and propagation of **Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy** systems of medicine. - It does not have oversight of child protection schemes like ICPS. *Ministry of Human Resource Development* - This ministry (now Ministry of Education) is primarily concerned with **education, literacy, and vocational training**. - While it deals with children in an educational context, it does not directly control child protection schemes.

Q: Physical Quality of life consolidates which of the following indicators? 1. Infant Mortality Rate 2. Life expectancy at birth 3. Literacy 4. Per capita income 5. Mean years of schooling 6. Life expectancy at age one Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 3 and 6. ***1, 3 and 6*** - The **Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)** comprises **infant mortality rate**, **life expectancy at age one**, and **literacy rate**. - These indicators were selected to reflect basic human needs and well-being, independent of purely economic measures. *1, 2 and 3* - While **infant mortality rate** and **literacy** are part of PQLI, **life expectancy at birth** is not one of its three core components. - PQLI specifically uses **life expectancy at age one** to avoid the significant influence of high infant mortality on overall life expectancy at birth. *2, 3 and 6* - **Life expectancy at age one** and **literacy** are included in PQLI, but **life expectancy at birth** is not. - The PQLI's design intentionally focuses on outcomes after the critical first year of life. *1, 4 and 5* - **Infant mortality rate** is a PQLI component, but **per capita income** and **mean years of schooling** are not. - **Per capita income** is an economic indicator and explicitly excluded from PQLI, while **mean years of schooling** is more commonly associated with the Human Development Index (HDI).

Q: Which of the following are health care delivery indicators? 1. Population per trained birth attendant 2. Population per health/sub centre 3. Doctor-nurse ratio Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3. ***1, 2 and 3*** - All three indicators (Population per trained birth attendant, Population per health/sub centre, and Doctor-nurse ratio) are direct measures reflecting the **availability and distribution of healthcare resources** and personnel. - These metrics help assess the **accessibility and quality** of healthcare delivery within a population. *2 and 3 only* - This option incorrectly excludes "Population per trained birth attendant," which is a crucial indicator of access to **maternal and child healthcare services**. - While "Population per health/sub centre" and "Doctor-nurse ratio" are important, neglecting birth attendants provides an incomplete picture of healthcare delivery. *1 and 2 only* - This option misses the "Doctor-nurse ratio," which is vital for evaluating the **skill mix and capacity** of the healthcare workforce. - An adequate doctor-nurse ratio ensures effective patient care and **resource utilization** within facilities. *1 and 3 only* - This option excludes "Population per health/sub centre," a key indicator of the **physical infrastructure and primary care accessibility** for a population. - The presence and reach of health centers are fundamental to delivering basic healthcare services to the community.

Question 1

A screening programme for school children was undertaken with the following results:

1. 30% boys and 60% girls were found to be anemic
2. 50% children had history of passing worms in stool
3. 10% children had poor vision
4. 5% children had enlarged tonsils

In this context, which of the following is not an appropriate follow up activity?

Accepted Answer

Referring those children with enlarged tonsils for surgery

Answer

Providing iron supplementation to all children

Answer

Administering mass deworming medication to all children

Answer

Prescribing corrective spectacles to children with poor vision

Question 2

The term “disease control” describes the ongoing operations aimed at reducing all of the following, except:

Accepted Answer

Virulence of the disease agent

Answer

The financial burden to the community

Answer

The incidence of disease

Answer

Prevention of complications

Question 3

Which one of the following is included in Indian Public Health Standards for a Primary Health Centre?

Accepted Answer

Safe abortion services

Answer

Surgery for hydrocele

Answer

Blood storage facility

Answer

Manual removal of placenta

Question 4

Consider the following:

1. Literacy rate
2. Life expectancy at birth
3. Life expectancy at the age of one year
4. Infant mortality
Which of the above are the components of Physical Quality of Life Index (P.Q.L.I.)?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

1 and 4 only

Question 5

Chemoprophylaxis is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Specific protection

Answer

Early detection

Answer

Health promotion

Answer

Rehabilitation

Question 6

Sullivan Index is the measure of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Quality of life

Answer

Pregnancy rate

Answer

Disability rate

Answer

Literacy rate

Question 7

Consider the following statements:

1. Registration of birth, even if the child is born in a hospital, is essentially the responsibility of parents only.
2. At present, the registration of birth has to be done not more than 15 days after the birth. Which of these statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

2 only

Answer

Both 1 and 2

Answer

1 only

Question 8

Which one of the following Ministries controls the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Women and Child Development

Answer

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer

Ministry of AYUSH

Answer

Ministry of Human Resource Development

Question 9

Physical Quality of life consolidates which of the following indicators?

1. Infant Mortality Rate
2. Life expectancy at birth
3. Literacy
4. Per capita income
5. Mean years of schooling
6. Life expectancy at age one

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 6

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2, 3 and 6

Answer

1, 4 and 5

Question 10

Which of the following are health care delivery indicators?

1. Population per trained birth attendant
2. Population per health/sub centre
3. Doctor-nurse ratio

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Public Health Administration — MCQs

Public Health Administration — MCQs

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