Communicable diseases: Breteau index: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Communicable diseases: Breteau index

Sample item

During a survey for Aedes aegypti, 50 houses were inspected and 15 water-holding containers were found positive for larvae. What is the Breteau index?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. 30

Breteau index is the number of positive containers per 100 houses inspected. With 15 positive containers in 50 houses, the BI is 15 divided by 50 times 100, which is 30.

Option by option

  • A. 3.3

    3.3 comes from dividing the wrong way.

  • B. 30 percent houses

    House index would be the percentage of houses positive, which needs different data.

  • C. 30 (correct)

    Correct. 15 per 50 houses scales to 30 per 100 houses.

  • D. 15

    15 is the number of positive containers, not the index.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, 30. Breteau index is the number of positive containers per 100 houses inspected.

Why is "3.3" not the answer?

3.3 comes from dividing the wrong way.

Why is "30 percent houses" not the answer?

House index would be the percentage of houses positive, which needs different data.

Why is "15" not the answer?

15 is the number of positive containers, not the index.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: Breteau index in PSM. With 15 positive containers in 50 houses, the BI is 15 divided by 50 times 100, which is 30.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Communicable diseases: Breteau index?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.