Concept of health and disease: socio-economic scale: 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 and disease: socio-economic scale

Sample item

A survey team wants to place families in socio-economic classes using only the per capita monthly income of the family, with class limits revised through the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. Which scale suits this purpose?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. B. G. Prasad scale

The B. G. Prasad classification uses per capita monthly family income, and its class limits are updated with the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. The Kuppuswamy scale instead combines education, occupation and income for an urban family. Match the number of variables to the scale.

Option by option

  • A. Hollingshead index

    The Hollingshead index is built on occupation and education rather than per capita income.

  • B. Standard of Living Index

    The Standard of Living Index scores household assets and amenities, not income.

  • C. B. G. Prasad scale (correct)

    Correct. A single-variable scale based on per capita monthly income is the Prasad scale.

  • D. Kuppuswamy scale

    Kuppuswamy uses three variables, education and occupation of the head and family income, not income alone.

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, B. G. Prasad scale. The B.

Why is "Hollingshead index" not the answer?

The Hollingshead index is built on occupation and education rather than per capita income.

Why is "Standard of Living Index" not the answer?

The Standard of Living Index scores household assets and amenities, not income.

Why is "Kuppuswamy scale" not the answer?

Kuppuswamy uses three variables, education and occupation of the head and family income, not income alone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Concept of health and disease: socio-economic scale in PSM. G. Prasad classification uses per capita monthly family income, and its class limits are updated with the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. The Kuppuswamy scale instead combines education, occupation and income for an urban family. Match the number of variables to the scale.

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 and disease: socio-economic scale?

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.