A district health officer organises Pap smear testing for apparently healthy asymptomatic women aged 30 to 60 years. Under the classical framework of levels of prevention, this activity belongs to:

• A Secondary prevention ✓
• B Primary prevention
• C Primordial prevention
• D Tertiary prevention

Explanation

Screening detects disease at its pre-symptomatic or early stage so that prompt treatment can halt progression. This action occurs after the biological onset of disease but before symptoms, which defines secondary prevention. Primary prevention acts before disease onset by removing causes or increasing resistance, and primordial prevention prevents the emergence of risk factors themselves. Tertiary prevention reduces disability and rehabilitation needs after overt disease, such as managing established cancer.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.