National health programmes: kala-azar elimination threshold: 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 · National health programmes: kala-azar elimination threshold

Sample item

The national kala-azar elimination target is an annual incidence of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at block level. A block in Bihar with a population of 80,000 reports 6 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis in a year. Has it met the target?

AYes, at about 0.075 per 10,000BYes, at about 0.75 per 10,000CNo, because the target is judged at district level onlyDNo, at about 7.5 per 10,000

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Yes, at about 0.75 per 10,000

Incidence per 10,000 is cases divided by population multiplied by 10,000, which is 6 / 80,000 x 10,000 = 0.75. This is below the threshold of 1 per 10,000, so the block meets the target for elimination as a public health problem.

Option by option

A. Yes, at about 0.075 per 10,000
This misplaces the decimal point the other way, and 0.075 per 10,000 is not the correct figure.
B. Yes, at about 0.75 per 10,000 (correct)
Correct. Six cases in 80,000 people is 0.75 per 10,000, which is below 1.
C. No, because the target is judged at district level only
The target is applied at the level of the block, not only for the district.
D. No, at about 7.5 per 10,000
This misplaces the decimal point, and 7.5 per 10,000 would be above the threshold.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Yes, at about 0.75 per 10,000. Incidence per 10,000 is cases divided by population multiplied by 10,000, which is 6 / 80,000 x 10,000 = 0.

Why is "Yes, at about 0.075 per 10,000" not the answer?

This misplaces the decimal point the other way, and 0.075 per 10,000 is not the correct figure.

Why is "No, because the target is judged at district level only" not the answer?

The target is applied at the level of the block, not only for the district.

Why is "No, at about 7.5 per 10,000" not the answer?

This misplaces the decimal point, and 7.5 per 10,000 would be above the threshold.

What concept does this question test?

It tests National health programmes: kala-azar elimination threshold in PSM. 75. This is below the threshold of 1 per 10,000, so the block meets the target for elimination as a public health problem.

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 National health programmes: kala-azar elimination threshold?

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.