Health indicators: Swaroop's index: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Health indicators: Swaroop's index

Sample item

In a district, 1,000 deaths were registered in a year and 620 of them occurred in persons aged 50 years or more. What is the value of Swaroop's index, and what does a higher value indicate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. 62%, indicating better health status

Swaroop's index is the proportion of all deaths that occur at age 50 years and above, expressed as a percentage. Here 620 / 1,000 x 100 = 62%. A higher value means more people survive to older ages before dying, so it indicates better health status and development.

Option by option

  • A. 38%, indicating worse health status

    38% is the proportion of deaths below 50 years, not Swaroop's index; the value is wrong even though a high early-death share would indicate poorer health.

  • B. 38%, indicating better health status

    38% is the proportion of deaths below 50 years, not Swaroop's index, so the value is wrong.

  • C. 62%, indicating worse health status

    The value is right but a high proportion of deaths in the elderly reflects better, not worse, health.

  • D. 62%, indicating better health status (correct)

    Correct. 620 / 1,000 = 62%, and a high value reflects survival to older ages.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, 62%, indicating better health status. Swaroop's index is the proportion of all deaths that occur at age 50 years and above, expressed as a percentage.

Why is "38%, indicating worse health status" not the answer?

38% is the proportion of deaths below 50 years, not Swaroop's index; the value is wrong even though a high early-death share would indicate poorer health.

Why is "38%, indicating better health status" not the answer?

38% is the proportion of deaths below 50 years, not Swaroop's index, so the value is wrong.

Why is "62%, indicating worse health status" not the answer?

The value is right but a high proportion of deaths in the elderly reflects better, not worse, health.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Health indicators: Swaroop's index in PSM. Here 620 / 1,000 x 100 = 62%. A higher value means more people survive to older ages before dying, so it indicates better health status and development.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Health indicators: Swaroop's index?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.