Maternal health: three delays model: 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.

Try it

PSM · Maternal health: three delays model

Sample item

A woman in labour develops heavy bleeding at home. The family recognises the danger immediately and agrees to go to hospital, but they lose 4 hours finding a vehicle because the village road is flooded. At the hospital, she receives care promptly. Which delay contributed to her condition?

ADelay in receiving adequate care at the facilityBDelay in postnatal follow-upCDelay in reaching a health facilityDDelay in deciding to seek care

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Delay in reaching a health facility

The three delays model describes causes of maternal death: delay 1 in deciding to seek care, delay 2 in reaching a facility, and delay 3 in receiving adequate care at the facility. Here the decision was prompt and care at the hospital was timely, but transport problems delayed arrival, which is the second delay. Interventions include emergency transport such as 108 services and free referral transport under JSSK.

Option by option

A. Delay in receiving adequate care at the facility
She received prompt care on arrival, so the third delay is absent.
B. Delay in postnatal follow-up
Postnatal follow-up is not part of the three delays model.
C. Delay in reaching a health facility (correct)
Correct. Transport and road barriers cause the second delay.
D. Delay in deciding to seek care
The family decided at once, so the first delay is not present.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Delay in reaching a health facility. The three delays model describes causes of maternal death: delay 1 in deciding to seek care, delay 2 in reaching a facility, and delay 3 in receiving adequate care at the facility.

Why is "Delay in receiving adequate care at the facility" not the answer?

She received prompt care on arrival, so the third delay is absent.

Why is "Delay in postnatal follow-up" not the answer?

Postnatal follow-up is not part of the three delays model.

Why is "Delay in deciding to seek care" not the answer?

The family decided at once, so the first delay is not present.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal health: three delays model in PSM. Here the decision was prompt and care at the hospital was timely, but transport problems delayed arrival, which is the second delay. Interventions include emergency transport such as 108 services and free referral transport under JSSK.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Maternal health: three delays model?

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.