Question

1. Distinguish between the levels of prevention.

2. Identify the circumstances in which each level is indicated.

3. Provide examples of each prevention type.

Answer 1

Ans. I. Prevention is divided into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. “

Primary prevention

Secondary ptevention

Tertiary ptevention

Ans. 2. 1. Primary prevention targets individuals who may be at risk to develop a medical condition and intervenes to prevent the onset of that condition.

Examples include childhood vaccination programs, water fluoridation, anti-smoking programs, and education about safe sex.

Examples include immunization and taking regular exercise

2. Secondary prevention targets individuals who have developed an asymptomatic disease and institutes treatment to prevent complications. those preventive measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a disease, illness or injury to prevent more severe problems developing. Here health educators such as Health Extension Practitioners can help individuals acquire the skills of detecting diseases in their early stages.

Examples include routine Papanicolaou tests and screening for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia.

3. Tertiary prevention targets individuals with a known disease, with the goal of limiting or preventing future complications.

Examples include screening patients with diabetes for microalbuminuria, rigorous treatment of diabetes mellitus, and post-myocardial infarction prophylaxis with b-blockers and aspirin.