Community Medicine (PSM) · Communicable Diseases (Malaria, Tuberculosis, Dengue, Polio, Hepatitis, Cholera)

The 'slide positivity rate' (SPR) in malaria surveillance differs from 'slide falciparum rate' (SFR) in that:

  • A SPR is based on rapid diagnostic tests; SFR is based on microscopy
  • B SPR = % blood slides positive for any Plasmodium; SFR = % slides positive specifically for P. falciparum
  • C SFR includes mixed infections; SPR excludes them
  • D SPR is calculated per 1000 population while SFR is a percentage
Correct answer: B. SPR = % blood slides positive for any Plasmodium; SFR = % slides positive specifically for P. falciparum

Explanation

SPR (Slide Positivity Rate) = (Number of blood slides positive for any Plasmodium / Total slides examined) × 100 — indicates overall malaria burden. SFR (Slide Falciparum Rate) = (Number of slides positive for P. falciparum / Total slides examined) × 100 — tracks the more dangerous falciparum malaria specifically. Both are proportions expressed as percentages and are key NVBDCP surveillance indicators.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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