Demography and health indicators: cause-specific death rate: 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 · Demography and health indicators: cause-specific death rate

Sample item

In a district of 200,000 people there were 1,600 deaths in a year, of which 120 were due to cancer. What is the death rate from cancer?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. 60 per 100,000 population

A cause-specific death rate uses the total population as denominator: 120 divided by 200,000 gives 60 per 100,000. The 7.5 per 100 figure is the proportional mortality from cancer, and 800 per 100,000 is the crude death rate.

Option by option

  • A. 120 per 100,000 population

    This uses the number of cancer deaths as if the population were 100,000.

  • B. 7.5 per 100 total deaths

    This is proportional mortality, where the denominator is total deaths.

  • C. 800 per 100,000 population

    This is the crude death rate from all causes.

  • D. 60 per 100,000 population (correct)

    Correct. 120 cancer deaths divided by the 200,000 population is 60 per 100,000.

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 D, 60 per 100,000 population. A cause-specific death rate uses the total population as denominator: 120 divided by 200,000 gives 60 per 100,000.

Why is "120 per 100,000 population" not the answer?

This uses the number of cancer deaths as if the population were 100,000.

Why is "7.5 per 100 total deaths" not the answer?

This is proportional mortality, where the denominator is total deaths.

Why is "800 per 100,000 population" not the answer?

This is the crude death rate from all causes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography and health indicators: cause-specific death rate in PSM. The 7.5 per 100 figure is the proportional mortality from cancer, and 800 per 100,000 is the crude death rate.

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 Demography and health indicators: cause-specific death rate?

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.