Concept of health: primary health care principles: 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 · Concept of health: primary health care principles

Sample item

In a village, a women's group chooses the design of a new community latrine block, contributes labour and money, and takes charge of its upkeep after the health department supplies technical advice. Which principle of primary health care does this best illustrate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Community participation

Primary health care rests on equitable distribution, community participation, intersectoral coordination and appropriate technology. Community participation means people take part in planning, implementing and maintaining their own health services. The decisive feature here is that the villagers decide, contribute and manage.

Option by option

  • A. Intersectoral coordination

    Intersectoral coordination means that sectors such as agriculture, education and water supply work together, which is not described.

  • B. Community participation (correct)

    Correct. Involvement of the community in decisions, resources and maintenance is the definition of community participation.

  • C. Appropriate technology

    Appropriate technology means methods that are scientifically sound, acceptable and affordable, but the stem stresses who decides and manages.

  • D. Equitable distribution

    Equitable distribution means that services reach the underserved first, which is not the point of this vignette.

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 B, Community participation. Primary health care rests on equitable distribution, community participation, intersectoral coordination and appropriate technology.

Why is "Intersectoral coordination" not the answer?

Intersectoral coordination means that sectors such as agriculture, education and water supply work together, which is not described.

Why is "Appropriate technology" not the answer?

Appropriate technology means methods that are scientifically sound, acceptable and affordable, but the stem stresses who decides and manages.

Why is "Equitable distribution" not the answer?

Equitable distribution means that services reach the underserved first, which is not the point of this vignette.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Concept of health: primary health care principles in PSM. Community participation means people take part in planning, implementing and maintaining their own health services. The decisive feature here is that the villagers decide, contribute and manage.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Concept of health: primary health care principles?

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.