Non-communicable diseases: SAFE strategy for trachoma: 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 · Non-communicable diseases: SAFE strategy for trachoma

Sample item

A survey in a district finds trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in 12 percent of children aged 1 to 9 years. Under the WHO SAFE strategy, which action is recommended for the district?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mass azithromycin for the community, with face washing and sanitation

When TF prevalence in children aged 1 to 9 years is 5 percent or more, WHO recommends community-wide mass azithromycin distribution along with facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, in addition to surgery for trichiasis. SAFE stands for Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement.

Option by option

  • A. Topical tetracycline for children with visible TF only

    Treating only children with visible TF misses the community reservoir of infection and is not the recommended approach.

  • B. Observation alone because TF is below 20 percent

    There is no 20 percent threshold, and action starts at a district TF level of 5 percent.

  • C. Trichiasis surgery for all children in the district

    Surgery is for trichiasis in adults and is not a treatment for TF in children.

  • D. Mass azithromycin for the community, with face washing and sanitation (correct)

    Correct. A district TF level of 5 percent or more calls for mass antibiotic treatment plus facial cleanliness and environmental measures.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Mass azithromycin for the community, with face washing and sanitation. When TF prevalence in children aged 1 to 9 years is 5 percent or more, WHO recommends community-wide mass azithromycin distribution along with facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, in addition to surgery for trichiasis.

Why is "Topical tetracycline for children with visible TF only" not the answer?

Treating only children with visible TF misses the community reservoir of infection and is not the recommended approach.

Why is "Observation alone because TF is below 20 percent" not the answer?

There is no 20 percent threshold, and action starts at a district TF level of 5 percent.

Why is "Trichiasis surgery for all children in the district" not the answer?

Surgery is for trichiasis in adults and is not a treatment for TF in children.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: SAFE strategy for trachoma in PSM. SAFE stands for Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement.

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 Non-communicable diseases: SAFE strategy for trachoma?

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.