Primary Health Centers — MCQs
In implementation of a health programme, best thing to do is -
In a village health survey, which indicator best reflects the quality of antenatal care services?
Community health centre covers a population of
Population covered by PHC in a tribal area:
Which of the following is NOT considered an element of primary healthcare?
Which of the following statements about a primary health centre (PHC) is incorrect?
Which of the following statements about Anganwadi workers is incorrect?
The foundational rural health scheme in India was introduced by which committee?
What is the primary health concern addressed by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)?
Number of inpatient beds in a PHC?
Primary Health Centers Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: In implementation of a health programme, best thing to do is -
- A. Discussion with leaders in community and implement accordingly
- B. Discussion with people in community and decide according to it
- C. Discussion and decision taken by the health ministry regarding implementation
- D. Discussion with doctors in PHC and implement accordingly (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Discussion with doctors in PHC and implement accordingly*** - **Primary Healthcare (PHC) doctors** possess critical hands-on knowledge of common health issues, local demographics, and daily health challenges faced by the community. - Their involvement ensures the program is **practically viable** and tailored to the specific needs and resources available at the grassroots level for effective implementation. *Discussion with leaders in community and implement accordingly* - While engaging community leaders is important for acceptance and dissemination, they may lack the **medical expertise** required to design effective and clinically sound health interventions. - Relying solely on leaders might lead to programs that are **socially acceptable but not medically optimal** or comprehensive. *Discussion with people in community and decide according to it* - Involving the community is crucial for program adherence and understanding local needs, but **laypersons** may not have the necessary medical knowledge to make informed decisions about complex health interventions. - Their input is valuable for relevance and acceptance, but medical and public health expertise is required for program design and implementation to ensure **efficacy and safety**. *Discussion and decision taken by the health ministry regarding implementation* - The health ministry sets policies and provides overall strategic direction, but they often lack direct, **on-the-ground understanding** of specific local health issues and implementation challenges. - A top-down approach without involving local healthcare providers can lead to programs that are **not feasible** or effective in the local context.
Question 2: In a village health survey, which indicator best reflects the quality of antenatal care services?
- A. Number of ANC registrations
- B. Number of high-risk pregnancies identified
- C. Proportion of early ANC registrations (Correct Answer)
- D. Percentage of institutional deliveries
Explanation: ***Proportion of early ANC registrations*** - **Early antenatal care (ANC) registration** signifies that pregnant women are accessing care early in their pregnancy, allowing for timely interventions, screening, and health education that improve maternal and fetal outcomes. - This indicator directly reflects the **accessibility and utilization** of quality ANC services from the beginning, which is crucial for comprehensive care. *Number of ANC registrations* - This simply indicates the **total uptake of ANC services**, but doesn't provide insight into the timeliness or quality of the care received. - A high number of registrations could include many late registrations, which would limit the overall effectiveness of ANC. *Number of high-risk pregnancies identified* - While important for targeted interventions, this indicator primarily reflects the **screening capacity** of the health system, not the overall quality or comprehensiveness of routine ANC for all pregnancies. - It doesn't capture whether these high-risk women are receiving adequate follow-up or whether low-risk women are receiving appropriate preventive care. *Percentage of institutional deliveries* - This indicator is an excellent measure of **safe delivery practices** and access to skilled birth attendance, but it reflects the quality of delivery services rather than the quality of antenatal care services themselves. - A woman could have poor ANC but still deliver in an institution, thus it doesn't directly assess the care received *before* delivery.
Question 3: Community health centre covers a population of
- A. 40000
- B. 20000
- C. 60000
- D. 80000 (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***80000*** - A **Community Health Centre (CHC)** typically covers a population of **80,000 to 120,000** in normal areas, and 80,000 for hilly/tribal areas. - CHCs serve as a **referral center** for 4 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and provide specialist services. *40000* - This population coverage is too small for a Community Health Centre. - A **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** is designed to cover a population of 30,000 in plain areas and 20,000 in hilly/tribal areas. *20000* - This population is too small for a Community Health Centre. - A **Sub-Centre** typically covers a population of 5,000 in plain areas and 3,000 in hilly/tribal areas. *60000* - While closer, this population is still below the recommended coverage for a Community Health Centre in plain areas. - The standard for a CHC is generally **80,000 to 120,000** in plain areas.
Question 4: Population covered by PHC in a tribal area:
- A. 20,000 (Correct Answer)
- B. 50,000
- C. 40,000
- D. 30,000
Explanation: ***20,000*** - In tribal, hilly, or difficult terrain areas, one **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** is established for every **20,000** people. - This reduced population coverage ensures better accessibility in challenging geographic areas with dispersed populations. - The question specifically asks for **tribal area**, making this the correct answer. *30,000* - In plains areas, a PHC typically covers a population of **30,000**. - This is the standard for areas with better connectivity and accessibility. - Not applicable for tribal areas. *50,000* - A population of 50,000 is typically covered by a **Community Health Centre (CHC)**, not a PHC, in plains areas. - CHCs offer a higher level of care, including specialist services. *40,000* - This figure does not correspond to the standard population coverage for a PHC in either plain or tribal areas. - It is neither the plains standard (30,000) nor the tribal/hilly standard (20,000).
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT considered an element of primary healthcare?
- A. Health education
- B. Provision of essential drugs
- C. Intersectoral coordination
- D. Cost effectiveness (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Cost effectiveness*** - While an important consideration in healthcare policy and management, **cost-effectiveness** is an outcome or an evaluation criterion rather than a direct, inherent element or principle of primary healthcare delivery itself. - Primary healthcare focuses on access, equity, comprehensiveness, and community participation rather than solely on economic efficiency as a foundational element. *Health education* - **Health education** is a core component of primary healthcare, empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and adopt healthy behaviors. - It plays a crucial role in **disease prevention** and promoting self-care. *Intersectoral coordination* - **Intersectoral coordination** involves collaborating with other sectors (e.g., education, agriculture, housing) to address the broader determinants of health, which is a key principle of primary healthcare. - It recognizes that health outcomes are influenced by factors beyond the healthcare system alone. *Provision of essential drugs* - The **provision of essential drugs** is a fundamental element of primary healthcare, ensuring access to necessary medications at an affordable cost for effective treatment and management of common health problems. - This accessibility is crucial for achieving **universal health coverage**.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about a primary health centre (PHC) is incorrect?
- A. Tertiary care surgical procedures (Correct Answer)
- B. Caters about 20,000- 30,000 people
- C. Provide water and sanitation and basic health requirements
- D. There is one medical officer and one staff nurse
Explanation: ***Tertiary care surgical procedures*** - Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are designed to provide **basic and essential healthcare services** at the community level, not advanced surgical interventions. - **Tertiary care procedures**, which involve complex surgeries or specialized treatments, are typically performed at **district hospitals** or super-specialty hospitals. - PHCs focus on **primary healthcare** including outpatient care, basic laboratory services, immunization, maternal and child health services, and health education. *Caters about 20,000-30,000 people* - This statement is **correct** regarding the population coverage of a PHC in rural areas. - According to IPHS norms, a PHC serves **20,000-30,000 population** in plain areas and **30,000 population** in hilly/tribal/difficult areas. - The PHC acts as the **first point of contact** for individuals seeking health services in a defined geographical area. *Provide water and sanitation and basic health requirements* - This is a **correct** statement, as PHCs are responsible for promoting health and preventing disease through community-level interventions. - They ensure access to **safe water, sanitation, and essential primary healthcare**. - PHCs focus on improving **public health determinants** alongside providing clinical services through health education and environmental health activities. *There is one medical officer and one staff nurse* - This statement is **correct** and describes the **minimum staffing pattern** at PHCs according to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). - A standard PHC has at least **1 Medical Officer, 1 Staff Nurse, and support staff** including ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) who work at sub-centers. - Additional staff may be present depending on whether it's a 4-bedded or 6-bedded PHC.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about Anganwadi workers is incorrect?
- A. Training for 40 days
- B. Under ICDS scheme
- C. Mostly female
- D. Covers a population of 2000 (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Covers a population of 2000*** - An **Anganwadi center** typically covers a population of **1000** in rural and urban areas, and **700** in tribal areas, not 2000. - This statement is incorrect because the specified population coverage is double the standard norm for an Anganwadi center. *Mostly female* - The vast majority of **Anganwadi workers** are **women** from the local community. - This is a correct statement, reflecting the gender composition of the Anganwadi workforce. *Training for 40 days* - **Anganwadi workers** undergo an initial **training program of 40 days**. - This statement is correct, outlining the standard duration of their foundational training. *Under ICDS scheme* - **Anganwadi centers** are a crucial part of the **Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme**. - This statement is correct, as the ICDS scheme established and oversees Anganwadi centers to provide health, nutrition, and early childhood education services.
Question 8: The foundational rural health scheme in India was introduced by which committee?
- A. Mukherjee committee
- B. Bhore committee (Correct Answer)
- C. Mudaliar committee
- D. Srivastava committee
Explanation: ***Bhore committee*** * This committee, constituted in 1943 and submitting its report in 1946, recommended the establishment of a **comprehensive health service** for the entire population, laying the groundwork for rural healthcare in independent India. * Its recommendations included the establishment of **Primary Health Centres (PHCs)** and a focus on preventive and curative healthcare at the grassroots level. *Mukherjee committee* * The Mukherjee Committee (1966) mainly focused on the **reorganization of the health staff** and the integration of various health programs. * It primarily addressed administrative and implementation issues rather than foundational schemes for rural health. *Mudaliar committee* * The Mudaliar Committee (1962), also known as the **Health Survey and Planning Committee**, reviewed the progress made in health services since the Bhore Committee. * Its recommendations were largely on improving and consolidating existing health infrastructure and addressing specific health challenges, rather than establishing foundational rural health schemes. *Srivastava committee* * The Srivastava Committee (1975) focused on the **medical education system** and suggested reforms to make it more relevant to rural health needs. * It introduced the concept of **Medical Education and Support to Community Health (MESCH)** and recommended the involvement of medical graduates in rural service.
Question 9: What is the primary health concern addressed by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)?
- A. Adult chronic diseases
- B. Elderly health
- C. Non-communicable diseases in the youth
- D. Comprehensive healthcare for children from birth to 18 years (Correct Answer)
Explanation: **Comprehensive healthcare for children from birth to 18 years** - The **Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)** is a national program explicitly designed to provide comprehensive health screening and early intervention for 0-18 year-olds - Its focus is on detecting and managing the **4 D's**: Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, and Developmental delays - The program provides regular health check-ups, early detection of health conditions, referral for treatment, and promotes healthy development across this critical age group *Adult chronic diseases* - While public health initiatives address adult chronic diseases, they are not the primary focus of the **RBSK** program, which targets a younger demographic - Programs like the **National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS)** are more aligned with adult chronic disease management *Elderly health* - **RBSK** is specifically focused on the health of children and adolescents, not the elderly population - **National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE)** is a dedicated initiative for elderly health *Non-communicable diseases in the youth* - While **RBSK** does address some non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through early detection and management, its scope is much broader, encompassing all 4 D's - RBSK aims for **holistic child health** rather than exclusively targeting NCDs in youth, which is a subset of its overall mandate
Question 10: Number of inpatient beds in a PHC?
- A. 20
- B. 10
- C. 6 (Correct Answer)
- D. 25
Explanation: ***6*** - A **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** is typically equipped with **4-6 beds** for inpatient care, with **6 beds** being the standard. - This limited number of beds allows for observation and short-term admissions in rural settings. - As per IPHS (Indian Public Health Standards) guidelines, PHCs serve as the first contact point between the village community and medical officer. *20* - This number is **not** the standard for either PHCs or CHCs. - A **Community Health Centre (CHC)** typically has **30 beds** (not 20), serving as a referral unit for 4 PHCs. - CHCs offer specialist services in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics. *10* - **10 beds** is not the standard number for a typical PHC. - This exceeds the usual PHC capacity and falls short of CHC standards. - Some upgraded PHCs or 24x7 PHCs might have slightly more beds, but this is not the norm. *25* - **25 beds** would be a capacity expected in a larger healthcare facility, approaching the standard for a CHC (30 beds). - This significantly exceeds the standard capacity for a Primary Health Centre. - Such capacity is more appropriate for sub-district hospitals or well-developed CHCs.
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