Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee — MCQs
Which of the following is NOT a duty of an ASHA worker?
In a village health survey, which indicator best reflects the quality of antenatal care services?
According to the National Health Policy, primary urban health centers should be designated for a population of:
Under HBNC (Home-Based Newborn Care), which is NOT a remuneration activity for ASHA workers?
Which of the following is NOT a key intervention implemented under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme?
Health guide works at the level of
The Rural Health Scheme was recommended by which committee?
A problem village is one where -
National target of one village health guide is for population of:
Village health guide scheme was started in?
Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a duty of an ASHA worker?
- A. Administering zero dose of DPT and OPV (Correct Answer)
- B. Assessing the success of national programs under ANM
- C. Primary screening for prevalence of non-communicable diseases
- D. All of the options
Explanation: ***Correct: Administering zero dose of DPT and OPV*** - **ASHA workers do NOT administer vaccines** - this is strictly beyond their scope of practice - According to **NRHM guidelines**, ASHAs are **facilitators and mobilizers** for immunization, not vaccine administrators - Only **ANMs and trained health workers** are authorized to administer vaccines including DPT and OPV - ASHAs role is to **identify beneficiaries, create awareness, and escort mothers/children to immunization centers** - Vaccine administration requires technical training and cold chain management that ASHAs are not equipped for *Incorrect: Assessing the success of national programs under ANM* - While this is also not a primary ASHA duty, the question asks for what is NOT a duty - Program assessment is done at district/state levels through monitoring and evaluation teams - However, between administering vaccines (strictly prohibited) vs program assessment (not their role but may provide data), vaccine administration is more clearly NOT their duty *Incorrect: Primary screening for prevalence of non-communicable diseases* - This **IS a duty** of ASHA workers under **NPCDCS** (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke) - ASHAs conduct basic screening for hypertension, diabetes, and common cancers using simple tools - They refer suspected cases to appropriate health facilities for confirmation and management *Incorrect: All of the options* - This is incorrect because primary NCD screening IS part of ASHA duties, and administering vaccines is the most clearly defined non-duty among the options
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: According to the National Health Policy, primary urban health centers should be designated for a population of:
- A. 30,000 people
- B. 50,000 people (Correct Answer)
- C. 10,000 people
- D. 1,000,000 people
Explanation: **50,000 people** - According to the **National Health Policy (NHP)**, specifically in the context of urban healthcare planning, a **primary urban health center (PUHC)** is designed to cater to a population of approximately **50,000 individuals**. - This population norm ensures adequate access to basic health services for urban populations, considering the higher population density and varied health needs in urban settings compared to rural areas. *30,000 people* - This population norm is typically associated with a **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** in **plain areas** according to the NHP for **rural populations**. - Urban health centers are designed for a larger population base due to differences in population density and healthcare infrastructure. *10,000 people* - This figure more closely aligns with the population norm for a **Sub-Centre** in plain areas, which is the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary healthcare system and the community. - A primary urban health center serves a significantly larger population than a sub-centre. *1,000,000 people* - A population of **one million people** would require a much larger health infrastructure, typically involving multiple hospitals, specialized centers, and a network of primary and secondary care facilities, rather than a single primary urban health center. - This figure is far too large for the designated population coverage of a primary urban health center.
Question 4: 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 5: Which of the following is NOT a key intervention implemented under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme?
- A. Immunization
- B. ORS therapy
- C. Vitamin A supplementation
- D. Management of hypertension (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Management of hypertension*** - While important for overall health, the **management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)** like hypertension is not a primary, direct focus of the **Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme**. - RCH programs primarily target interventions related to women's reproductive health, safe motherhood, and child survival. *Immunization* - **Immunization** is a cornerstone intervention of the RCH program, crucial for preventing major childhood diseases and improving child survival rates. - It directly contributes to reducing **infant and child mortality** by protecting against vaccine-preventable diseases. *ORS therapy* - **Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) therapy** is a key intervention within the RCH program aimed at reducing child mortality due to diarrheal diseases. - It is effective in treating **dehydration** caused by diarrhea, a common cause of death in young children. *Vitamin A supplementation* - **Vitamin A supplementation** is an essential RCH intervention, particularly for children, to prevent **vitamin A deficiency**. - It plays a vital role in **boosting immunity**, preventing blindness, and reducing the severity of common childhood infections.
Question 6: Health guide works at the level of
- A. CHC
- B. Sub-centre
- C. PHC
- D. Village (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Village*** - Health guides are **community-level health workers** who serve as a crucial link between health services and the rural population. - Their primary role is to provide **basic health education** and facilitate access to healthcare at the local, village level. *CHC* - **Community Health Centers** (CHCs) serve a larger population (80,000 to 1.2 lakh people) and offer specialized services including surgery, obstetrics, and pediatrics. - They are typically managed by a team of doctors and specialists, placing them at a higher tier than the village level. *Sub-centre* - **Sub-centres** are the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary healthcare system and the community, usually catering to a population of 3,000-5,000. - They are staffed by a Female Health Worker (ANM) and a Male Health Worker, and while they are close to villages, the health guide operates directly within the village. *PHC* - **Primary Health Centres** (PHCs) serve a larger area, typically covering 20,000-30,000 people, and manage 4-6 sub-centres. - They provide general medical care, maternal and child health services, and disease control programs, representing a higher administrative and service point than the village level.
Question 7: The Rural Health Scheme was recommended by which committee?
- A. Mukherjee Committee
- B. Mudaliar Committee
- C. Bhore Committee
- D. Shrivastava Committee (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Shrivastava committee*** - The **Shrivastava Committee** first recommended the **Rural Health Scheme** in 1975, which aimed to establish primary healthcare services in rural areas. - This committee played a crucial role in shaping India's approach to rural healthcare, focusing on community health workers and basic medical services. *Mukherjee committee* - The **Mukherjee Committee** (1965) recommended the **abolition of the basic health worker concept** and suggested separate cadres for different health programs. - It focused on streamlining health services but did not introduce the comprehensive Rural Health Scheme. *Mudaliar Committee* - The **Mudaliar Committee** (1962) reviewed the progress made in health services since the Bhore Committee and recommended consolidating existing health facilities. - Its focus was on improving the quality and accessibility of existing healthcare structures rather than introducing a new rural scheme. *Bhore committee* - The **Bhore Committee** (1946) recommended a comprehensive and integrated healthcare system, including both preventive and curative services, with an emphasis on **primary health centers**. - While it laid the foundation for public health in India, the specific 'Rural Health Scheme' was a later development.
Question 8: A problem village is one where -
- A. Water available > 15 meters depth
- B. Excess of fluoride in water
- C. Source of water > 1.6 km away
- D. All of the above (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***All of the above*** - A "problem village" is typically defined by a combination of factors related to inadequate access to safe drinking water. - These conditions collectively indicate a significant challenge in providing fundamental water necessities to the community. *Water available > 15 meters depth* - This criterion indicates that **accessing groundwater** requires significant effort and resources, potentially making it difficult for villagers to obtain water. - Deep water sources can lead to higher costs for drilling wells and pumping water, impacting accessibility for the community. *Excess of fluoride in water* - High levels of **fluoride in drinking water** can lead to health problems such as **dental fluorosis** and **skeletal fluorosis**. - Such contamination renders the water unsafe for consumption, necessitating alternative, safer water sources. *Source of water > 1.6 km away* - A **long distance** to the nearest water source poses a substantial burden, especially for women and children who often bear the responsibility of fetching water. - This increases the time and physical effort required to obtain water, affecting daily life and productivity.
Question 9: National target of one village health guide is for population of:
- A. 50000
- B. 1000 (Correct Answer)
- C. 10000
- D. 5000
Explanation: ***1000*** - The **National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)** aims to provide healthcare services in rural areas, with one **Village Health Guide (VHG)** or **Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)** typically serving a population of **1000** people. - This ensures that primary healthcare information, basic medical aid, and referrals are accessible at the grassroots level for every **thousand individuals**. *50000* - A population of **50,000** is typically served by a **Community Health Center (CHC)**, which provides a higher level of care, including specialists and inpatient facilities. - This number is too large for a single Village Health Guide to effectively cover with primary healthcare services. *10000* - A **Primary Health Center (PHC)** generally serves a population of around **30,000** in plain areas and **20,000** in hilly, tribal, or difficult areas. - While this is a common unit for healthcare planning, it is not the target population for an individual Village Health Guide. *5000* - A population of **5,000** is typically served by a **Sub-Centre (SC)**, which is the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary healthcare system and the community. - While it's a critical unit in rural health, the individual VHG/ASHA is assigned to a smaller unit of 1000 people within this structure.
Question 10: Village health guide scheme was started in?
- A. 1977 (Correct Answer)
- B. 1974
- C. 1989
- D. 1986
Explanation: ***1977*** - The **Village Health Guide (VHG) Scheme** was launched on **October 2, 1977**, as part of a comprehensive rural health care programme. - This scheme aimed to provide basic health services and health education at the village level, empowering local communities. *1974* - While significant health policies were discussed in the 1970s, **1974** is not the year the Village Health Guide scheme was initiated. - The focus during this period was on strengthening primary healthcare, leading up to later reforms. *1989* - **1989** falls much later than the actual launch of the VHG scheme. - By this time, the VHG scheme was already well-established and undergoing evaluations and adjustments. *1986* - The year **1986** is incorrect for the launch of the Village Health Guide scheme. - This period saw other health initiatives, but the VHG scheme predates it significantly.
Want unlimited practice?
Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.
Start For Free