Public Health Administration Practice Questions

Q: A multipurpose worker typically covers a population of how many people?

5000. ### Explanation The Multipurpose Worker (MPW) scheme was introduced following the recommendations of the **Kartar Singh Committee (1973)** to provide integrated health services at the grassroots level. **1. Why Option C is Correct:** In the Indian public health system, a **Sub-centre** is the peripheral outpost of the health delivery system. Each Sub-centre is staffed by two Multipurpose Workers: one **MPW-Female (ANM)** and one **MPW-Male**. According to the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) norms, a Sub-centre (and thus the MPWs assigned to it) covers: * **5,000 population** in plain areas. * **3,000 population** in hilly, tribal, or difficult areas. Since "5,000" is the standard general norm, it is the correct answer. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option A (1,000):** This is the population norm for an **Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)**, a Village Health Guide, or a Trained Birth Attendant (TBA). * **Option B (3,000):** This is the population norm for a Sub-centre/MPW specifically in **hilly, tribal, or backward areas**, not the general population norm. * **Option D (10,000):** There is no standard primary health cadre assigned to exactly 10,000 people. However, a Sector Medical Officer at a PHC usually supervises several MPWs covering a much larger area. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Kartar Singh Committee (1973):** Known as the "Committee on Multipurpose Workers under Health and Family Planning." * **Srivastava Committee (1975):** Recommended the creation of "Health Assistants" who supervise MPWs (1 Male/1 Female Health Assistant supervises 6 MPWs). * **Staffing at PHC:** A Primary Health Centre covers 30,000 population (20,000 in hills) and acts as a referral unit for 6 Sub-centres.

Q: A primary health care center should provide all except:

Specialised surgeries. **Explanation:** The **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** is the cornerstone of rural healthcare in India, designed to provide integrated curative and preventive services to the community. According to the **Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)**, a PHC is intended to be the first contact point between the village community and a Medical Officer. **1. Why "Specialised Surgeries" is the correct answer:** PHCs are equipped to handle basic emergency services, minor surgical procedures (like dressing, suturing, or vasectomy/tubectomy), and normal deliveries. They lack the infrastructure, specialized equipment (like advanced OTs), and manpower (Specialists like Surgeons, Anesthetists, or Cardiologists) required for **specialized surgeries**. Such procedures are performed at **Secondary (Community Health Centres/District Hospitals)** or **Tertiary (Medical Colleges)** levels of care. **2. Analysis of incorrect options:** * **Treatment of common diseases:** This is a core function of a PHC. It provides outpatient (OPD) and limited inpatient (IPD) care for endemic diseases like malaria, TB, and respiratory infections. * **Immunization:** PHCs play a vital role in the National Immunization Programme, acting as the storage and distribution hub for vaccines via the cold chain. * **Family planning services:** PHCs are responsible for providing contraceptive counseling, distributing condoms/pills, and performing permanent sterilization procedures (NSV/Minilap). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Population Norms:** 1 PHC covers **30,000** (Plains) and **20,000** (Hilly/Tribal areas). * **Staffing:** A standard PHC has **13 to 15** staff members, including at least one Medical Officer. * **Bed Strength:** Usually **4 to 6 beds**. * **Referral:** A PHC acts as a referral unit for 6 Sub-centers and refers complex cases to a **Community Health Centre (CHC)**.

Q: What is the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) objective for the cure rate?

90%. ### Explanation **1. Why 90% is the Correct Answer:** Under the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis Elimination (2017–2025), the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (now renamed the **National TB Elimination Programme - NTEP**) shifted its targets toward the ambitious goal of ending TB by 2025. The current objective for the **cure rate (treatment success rate)** for new sputum-positive cases is **at least 90%**. This target is aligned with the "End TB Strategy," which emphasizes high treatment success to break the chain of transmission and prevent the development of Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB). **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **70% (Option A):** This was the historical target for **case detection rates** during the early phases of RNTCP (DOTS Phase I). It is no longer the standard for treatment outcomes. * **80% (Option B):** While 85% was the long-standing traditional RNTCP target for cure rates for over two decades, the target was officially upgraded to 90% to align with elimination goals. 80% is insufficient for national elimination. * **100% (Option D):** While ideal, a 100% cure rate is statistically and clinically improbable in public health due to factors like primary drug resistance, comorbidities (HIV/Diabetes), and loss to follow-up. **3. High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **NTEP Goal:** To achieve TB elimination in India by **2025** (5 years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal of 2030). * **Target Definitions:** The program aims for a **90% reduction in incidence** and a **95% reduction in mortality** by 2025. * **Nikshay:** The unified ICT device/web portal for monitoring TB patients and ensuring notification. * **90-90-90 Target:** Reach 90% of all TB cases, place 90% of them on treatment, and achieve a 90% treatment success rate.

Q: What is the stipulated time limit for reporting and registering deaths?

7 days. **Explanation:** The registration of vital events (births and deaths) in India is governed by the **Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969**. **1. Why Option A is Correct:** According to the **Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023**, which came into effect on October 1, 2023, the stipulated time limit for reporting and registering births and deaths has been revised to **7 days**. Previously, under the 1969 Act, the limit was 21 days. This change aims to streamline the digital database and ensure real-time updates to the Civil Registration System (CRS). **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B (14 days):** This was never a standard statutory limit for death registration in India under the RBD Act. * **Option C (21 days):** This was the correct answer under the original **RBD Act of 1969**. However, with the 2023 Amendment, this period has been significantly shortened to 7 days to improve administrative efficiency. **3. High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **Central Authority:** The Registrar General of India (RGI) coordinates registration activities. * **State Authority:** The Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths. * **Place of Registration:** Events must be registered at the place of occurrence (not the place of residence). * **Delayed Registration:** * **>7 days but 30 days but 1 year:** Requires an order from a First Class Magistrate. * **Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD):** It is mandatory for institutional deaths to provide a cause of death certificate to the Registrar.

Q: What are the functions of a female health worker?

Enlist dais of the sub-centre. In the Indian healthcare system, the **Female Health Worker (ANM - Auxiliary Nurse Midwife)** is the primary frontline worker at the **Sub-centre** level. Her role is pivotal in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Family Welfare. ### **Explanation of Options** * **Correct Answer (B): Enlist dais of the sub-centre.** One of the core responsibilities of the ANM is to identify and enlist **Traditional Birth Attendants (Dais)** within her catchment area. She is responsible for training them and involving them in the healthcare delivery system to ensure safer birthing practices and timely referrals. * **Option A (Incorrect):** Visiting 4 sub-centres per month is the duty of the **Health Assistant Female (LHV - Lady Health Visitor)**. The LHV acts as a supervisor for 6 sub-centres and is expected to visit each at least once a week. * **Option C (Incorrect):** While the ANM is trained to conduct deliveries, there is no fixed mandate to conduct "50% of deliveries." Her goal is to ensure **100% institutional delivery** or supervised delivery by a skilled birth attendant. * **Option D (Incorrect):** Chlorination of water and environmental sanitation are primarily the responsibilities of the **Male Health Worker (MPW-M)** and the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC). ### **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG** * **Population Norms:** One ANM is posted at a Sub-centre (covering 5,000 population in plains; 3,000 in hilly/tribal areas). * **Supervision:** 1 LHV (Health Assistant Female) supervises **6 ANMs**. * **Key Duties:** Antenatal care (ANC), Immunization (Universal Immunization Programme), Family Planning counseling, and maintaining the **Eligible Couple Register**. * **The "Multipurpose" Concept:** Based on the **Kartar Singh Committee (1973)** recommendations, ANMs were designated as Female Health Workers.

Q: Which of the following statements regarding the given logo is false?

It is targeted to control Cutaneous leishmaniasis.. ***It is targeted to control Cutaneous leishmaniasis.*** - The **National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP)** does **NOT** include cutaneous leishmaniasis in its target diseases. - NVBDCP primarily focuses on **visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)**, not the cutaneous form which has different epidemiology and control strategies. *It is implemented to prevent and control diseases like Visceral leishmaniasis.* - **Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)** is one of the key target diseases under the **NVBDCP**. - The programme focuses on **case detection**, **treatment**, and **vector control** measures for Kala-azar elimination. *The given photograph depicts the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.* - **NVBDCP** is the comprehensive national programme for controlling vector-borne diseases in India. - It covers diseases like **malaria**, **dengue**, **chikungunya**, **Japanese encephalitis**, and **visceral leishmaniasis**. *The transmission of these diseases is influenced by vector density and biting time.* - **Vector density** directly correlates with disease transmission rates in endemic areas. - **Biting behavior** and **peak activity times** of vectors like **sandflies** and **mosquitoes** influence transmission dynamics and control strategies.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a duty of a female multipurpose worker?

Active malaria surveillance. In the Indian healthcare system, the **Female Multipurpose Worker (MPW-F)**, commonly known as the **Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)**, primarily focuses on Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Family Planning, and Nutrition. ### Why "Active Malaria Surveillance" is the Correct Answer Active malaria surveillance—which involves house-to-house visits to identify fever cases and collect blood smears—is the specific responsibility of the **Male Multipurpose Worker (MPW-M)**. While the ANM (MPW-F) performs **passive surveillance** (taking slides of patients who voluntarily come to the Sub-centre with fever), she is not tasked with the door-to-door active search for cases. ### Analysis of Incorrect Options * **A. Distribution of condoms:** As a key provider of family planning services at the grassroots level, the ANM is responsible for distributing "free supply" contraceptives (condoms, OCPs) and counseling couples. * **C. Birth and death statistics:** The ANM is responsible for maintaining the vital statistics register in her jurisdiction, ensuring all births and deaths are recorded and reported to the Primary Health Centre (PHC). * **D. Immunization of mothers:** Antenatal care is a core duty. This includes administering Tetanus Adult (Td) vaccines to pregnant women to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus. ### High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls * **Population Norms:** One MPW-F and one MPW-M are posted at a **Sub-centre**, which serves a population of 5,000 (Plain area) or 3,000 (Hilly/Tribal area). * **The "Male" Focus:** In the MPW scheme, duties related to **Environmental Sanitation** and **Vector-Borne Disease Control** (Malaria, Filaria) are primarily assigned to the Male worker. * **The "Female" Focus:** The ANM is the "frontline worker" for the **RMNCH+A** strategy (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health).

Q: The National Family Health Survey is conducted at what frequency?

Every 5 years. **Explanation:** The **National Family Health Survey (NFHS)** is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a representative sample of households throughout India. It is the primary source of data on fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, maternal and child health, and nutrition. **Why Option B is Correct:** The NFHS is designed to be conducted at approximately **5-year intervals**. This periodicity allows policymakers to track long-term trends in demographic and health indicators. For instance, NFHS-4 was conducted in 2015-16, and NFHS-5 was conducted in 2019-21. This interval is sufficient to observe significant changes in population health outcomes following the implementation of national health programs. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Options A & C (5 and 15 months):** These intervals are too short to capture meaningful changes in demographic trends like Total Fertility Rate (TFR) or Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), and the logistical cost of such a massive survey makes frequent repetition unfeasible. * **Option D (Biannually):** While some surveillance systems (like the Sample Registration System) provide annual estimates, the comprehensive NFHS, which involves detailed household interviews and biomarkers, is not conducted twice a year. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Nodal Agency:** The **International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)**, Mumbai, is the nodal agency for NFHS. * **Funding:** Primarily funded by USAID and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). * **NFHS-5 Key Data:** India’s **Total Fertility Rate (TFR)** has declined to **2.0**, which is below the replacement level (2.1). * **Comparison:** Do not confuse NFHS with the **Census** (conducted every 10 years) or the **SRS** (which provides annual vital statistics).

Question 1

A multipurpose worker typically covers a population of how many people?

Accepted Answer

5000

Answer

1000

Answer

3000

Answer

10000

Question 2

A primary health care center should provide all except:

Accepted Answer

Specialised surgeries

Answer

Treatment of common diseases

Answer

Immunization

Answer

Family planning services

Question 3

Which of the following steps in a service delivery process is the most critical?

Accepted Answer

Equipment installation

Answer

Staff recruitment

Answer

Staff training

Answer

Equipment ordering

Question 4

What is the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) objective for the cure rate?

Accepted Answer

90%

Answer

70%

Answer

80%

Answer

100%

Question 5

What is the stipulated time limit for reporting and registering deaths?

Accepted Answer

7 days

Answer

14 days

Answer

21 days

Answer

None of the above

Question 6

What are the functions of a female health worker?

Accepted Answer

Enlist dais of the sub-centre

Answer

Visit 4 subcentres per month for health assessment

Answer

Conduct 50% of deliveries

Answer

Perform chlorination of water

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding the given logo is false?

Accepted Answer

It is targeted to control Cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Answer

It is implemented to prevent and control diseases like Visceral leishmaniasis.

Answer

The given photograph depicts the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.

Answer

The transmission of these diseases is influenced by vector density and biting time.

Question 8

Which of the following is a state responsibility for the health sector?

Accepted Answer

Water supply and sanitation

Answer

Promotion of research through research centers and other bodies

Answer

Prevention of adulteration

Answer

Prevention of communicable disease

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a duty of a female multipurpose worker?

Accepted Answer

Active malaria surveillance

Answer

Distribution of condoms

Answer

Birth and death statistics

Answer

Immunization of mothers

Question 10

The National Family Health Survey is conducted at what frequency?

Accepted Answer

Every 5 years

Answer

Every 5 months

Answer

Every 15 months

Answer

Biannually

Public Health Administration — MCQs

Public Health Administration — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?