Public Health Administration Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of Primary Health Care?

Ambulatory. The concept of **Primary Health Care (PHC)** was defined during the Alma-Ata Conference (1978) as essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods. ### Why "Ambulatory" is the Correct Answer While PHC involves outpatient (ambulatory) services, "Ambulatory" is **not** one of the core principles or defining criteria of PHC. The definition focuses on the socio-economic and functional characteristics of the care provided rather than just the clinical setting. ### Explanation of Incorrect Options (The 4 A’s of PHC) The definition of PHC is built upon four pillars, often referred to as the **4 A's**: * **Acceptability:** The methods and technology used must be socially acceptable to the individuals and families in the community. * **Availability:** Care must be available to everyone, regardless of their location, ensuring universal coverage. * **Affordability:** The cost of services must be at a level that the community and country can afford at every stage of their development. * **Accessibility:** (The fourth 'A') Health services must be within reach (geographical and functional) for all members of the community. ### High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG * **Alma-Ata Declaration (1978):** Established the goal of "Health for All by 2000 AD." * **8 Essential Elements of PHC (Mnemonic: ELEMENTS):** **E**ducation, **L**ocal endemic disease control, **E**xpanded program of immunization, **M**aternal and child health (including family planning), **E**ssential drugs, **N**utrition, **T**reatment of common diseases/injuries, and **S**anitation/Safe water. * **Principles of PHC:** Equitable distribution, Community participation, Intersectoral coordination, and Appropriate technology. * **Primary Health Centre (India):** Usually covers a population of 30,000 (Plain area) or 20,000 (Hilly/Tribal area).

Q: What is the population coverage of a male health assistant?

30,000. **Explanation:** In the Indian healthcare delivery system, the **Health Assistant (Male)**, also known as a **Health Supervisor**, is stationed at the **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** level. 1. **Why 30,000 is correct:** According to the norms set by the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), a PHC covers a population of **30,000 in plain areas** and **20,000 in hilly/tribal/difficult areas**. Since the Health Assistant (Male) is the supervisory staff at the PHC level, their population coverage corresponds to the PHC's jurisdiction. They are responsible for supervising the work of Multi-Purpose Workers (MPW-Male) across roughly 6 Sub-centers. 2. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. 1,000:** This is the population coverage for an **ASHA** (Accredited Social Health Activist) or a **Village Health Guide**. * **B. 5,000:** This is the population coverage for a **Sub-center** in plain areas, managed by a Multi-Purpose Worker (Male/Female). * **D. 50,000:** This does not correspond to a standard primary healthcare unit; however, a **Community Health Centre (CHC)** covers a much larger population (80,000 to 1,20,000). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Supervisory Ratio:** One Health Assistant (Male) supervises **6 Multi-Purpose Workers (Male)**. Similarly, one Health Assistant (Female/LHV) supervises 6 ANMs. * **PHC Staffing:** Under IPHS, a PHC is the first tier to be managed by a Medical Officer. * **Population Norms Summary:** * **Sub-center:** 3,000 (Hilly) / 5,000 (Plain) * **PHC:** 20,000 (Hilly) / 30,000 (Plain) * **CHC:** 80,000 (Hilly) / 1,20,000 (Plain)

Q: Which of the following is a function of the female health worker?

Enlist dais of the subcenter. ### Explanation The **Female Health Worker (FHW)**, commonly known as the **Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)**, is the key grassroots functionary at the Subcenter level. Her primary roles revolve around Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Family Planning, and Immunization. **Why the correct answer is right:** One of the vital administrative and supervisory functions of the FHW is to **enlist and train Traditional Birth Attendants (Dais)** within her subcenter area. Since many rural deliveries are still attended by Dais, the FHW acts as a bridge, ensuring they are trained in "5 Cleans" and can identify high-risk pregnancies for timely referral. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Visit 4 subcenters per month:** This is a function of the **Health Assistant Female (LHV/Health Supervisor)**. The LHV supervises 6 subcenters and is expected to visit each at least once a month. * **C. Conduct 50% of deliveries:** There is no specific percentage mandate like "50%." While the FHW is trained to conduct normal deliveries, her role is to ensure *all* institutional deliveries or safe supervised births; the specific "50%" figure is not a standard functional definition. * **D. Chlorination of water:** This is primarily the responsibility of the **Male Health Worker (MPW-M)** and the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC). **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Population Norms:** One Subcenter covers 5,000 population (3,000 in hilly/tribal areas). * **Staffing:** Under IPHS norms, a Subcenter should have 2 ANMs (one contractual), 1 MPW(M), and 1 Safai Karamchari. * **Key Indicator:** The FHW maintains the **"Eligible Couple Register,"** which is the basic document for family planning programs. * **Supervision:** 1 Female Health Assistant (LHV) supervises 6 Female Health Workers (ANMs).

Q: Which committee first recommended School Health?

Bhore committee. **Explanation:** The **Bhore Committee (1946)**, officially known as the Health Survey and Development Committee, is the cornerstone of public health planning in India. It was the first to recommend a comprehensive **School Health Service** to provide integrated preventive, promotive, and curative care for children. The committee emphasized that the school environment is the ideal setting for early detection of defects and health education. **Analysis of Options:** * **Bhore Committee (1946):** Correct. Beyond school health, it recommended the "Integration of Preventive and Curative services" and the concept of the "Primary Health Centre" (PHC). * **Chadah Committee (1963):** Recommended the "Basic Health Worker" (BHW) for every 10,000 population, primarily to look after Malaria vigilance activities. * **Jungalwallah Committee (1967):** Known as the Committee on "Integration of Health Services." It focused on eliminating private practice by government doctors and ensuring a unified cadre for health services. * **Srivastava Committee (1975):** Recommended the creation of "Health Assistants" and "Village Health Guides," leading to the launch of the **ROMP** (Reorientation of Medical Education) scheme. **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **School Health Committee (1961):** While Bhore recommended it first, a dedicated committee chaired by **Dr. Vikram Singh** (1961) laid the detailed standards for school health. * **Bhore Committee Goals:** Recommended 1 PHC per 40,000 population and a "3-million plan" for long-term development. * **Kartar Singh Committee (1973):** Introduced the concept of "Multipurpose Workers" (MPW).

Q: According to national health policy, what is the population a subcentre caters to in hilly and tribal areas?

3000. In India, the public health infrastructure is organized based on population norms to ensure equitable access to healthcare. The **Subcentre (SC)** is the most peripheral point of contact between the Primary Health Care system and the community. ### **Explanation of the Correct Answer** **Option A (3000)** is correct. According to the National Health Policy and IPHS (Indian Public Health Standards) norms, the population coverage for a Subcentre is: * **Plain Areas:** 5,000 population. * **Hilly, Tribal, and Desert Areas:** 3,000 population. The lower threshold for hilly/tribal areas accounts for difficult terrain, low population density, and poor transport facilities, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible to marginalized populations. ### **Analysis of Incorrect Options** * **Option B (5000):** This is the population norm for a Subcentre in **plain areas**. * **Option C (1000):** This is the approximate population covered by an **ASHA** (Accredited Social Health Activist) or a **Village Health Guide**. It is also the population norm for an **Anganwadi worker** in plain areas. * **Option D (2500):** This figure does not correspond to standard population norms for primary health centers or subcentres in the current Indian administrative framework. ### **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG** * **Primary Health Centre (PHC):** Caters to 30,000 (Plains) and 20,000 (Hilly/Tribal). * **Community Health Centre (CHC):** Caters to 1,20,000 (Plains) and 80,000 (Hilly/Tribal). * **Staffing at SC:** Traditionally 3 (Health Worker Female/ANM, Health Worker Male, and a Safai Karamchari). Under the **Ayushman Bharat** scheme, Subcentres are being strengthened into **Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)** with the addition of a Community Health Officer (CHO). * **Health Unit Ratios:** 1 CHC supervises 4 PHCs; 1 PHC supervises 6 Subcentres.

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of primary health care?

Accepted Answer

Health services are brought to the people's doorsteps.

Answer

It is essential health care made universally accessible.

Answer

It emphasizes placing people's health in their own hands.

Answer

It involves collaboration with sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, food, industry, and communication.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of Primary Health Care?

Accepted Answer

Ambulatory

Answer

Acceptability

Answer

Availability

Answer

Affordability

Question 3

Elements of primary health care include all of the following except?

Accepted Answer

Sound referral system

Answer

Adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation

Answer

Providing essential drugs

Answer

Health Education

Question 4

Antenatal support is not delivered by whom?

Accepted Answer

Health supervisor (female)

Answer

Anganwadi worker

Answer

Female Health worker

Answer

Traditional birth attendant

Question 5

Regular reporting of health information is used for all of the following, except?

Accepted Answer

Assessing attitudes and satisfactions of people reporting information

Answer

Planning, administration, and effective management of health services

Answer

Epidemiological research

Answer

Quantifying health problems and assessing health care needs

Question 6

What is the population coverage of a male health assistant?

Accepted Answer

30,000

Answer

1,000

Answer

5,000

Answer

50,000

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the female health worker?

Accepted Answer

Enlist dais of the subcenter

Answer

Visit 4 subcenters per month

Answer

Conduct 50% of deliveries

Answer

Chlorination of water

Question 8

One-third of the Rajya Sabha members retire every?

Accepted Answer

Two years

Answer

Three years

Answer

Four years

Answer

One year

Question 9

Which committee first recommended School Health?

Accepted Answer

Bhore committee

Answer

Chadah committee

Answer

Jungalwallah committee

Answer

Srivastava committee

Question 10

According to national health policy, what is the population a subcentre caters to in hilly and tribal areas?

Accepted Answer

3000

Answer

5000

Answer

1000

Answer

2500

Public Health Administration — MCQs

Public Health Administration — MCQs

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