A community survey in a district reveals that 28% of adults have hypertension, but only 9% are previously diagnosed and on treatment. The remaining hypertensive individuals are asymptomatic and undiagnosed. This situation best illustrates:
- A The Will Rogers phenomenon
- B The prevention paradox
- C The iceberg phenomenon of disease ✓
- D Length-time bias
Correct answer: C. The iceberg phenomenon of disease
Explanation
The iceberg phenomenon states that known, diagnosed disease floating above the waterline is only a small fraction of total disease in the community; the vast submerged portion comprises latent, undiagnosed and untreated cases. Hypertension, diabetes and anaemia are textbook examples with large submerged portions. The prevention paradox concerns population versus high-risk strategies, and the Will Rogers phenomenon relates to stage migration after improved diagnostic methods.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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