Community Medicine (PSM) · Screening of Diseases and Health Concepts

In a community survey of blood pressure measurement, a large number of individuals are found to be hypertensive although they were previously unaware of their condition and had never sought medical care for it. This situation best illustrates:

  • A Iceberg phenomenon of disease
  • B Will Rogers phenomenon
  • C Prevention paradox
  • D Ecological fallacy
Correct answer: A. Iceberg phenomenon of disease

Explanation

The iceberg phenomenon states that disease in a community has a vast submerged portion of unrecognized cases (latent, subclinical and undiagnosed), with only the clinically apparent tip visible to health services. Hypertension is a classic example because it is usually silent. Will Rogers phenomenon refers to stage migration after improved diagnostics, and the prevention paradox is a property of population strategies, not case recognition.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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