According to health data in India, which of the following is the leading cause of death in children under the… - Daman & Diu Staff Nurse - 2018

Daman & Diu Staff Nurse - 2018

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Daman & Diu Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children under five years old, both in India and globally.
While neonatal conditions like preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death overall in the under-five age group, pneumonia is the leading cause among the specific options provided.
Factors such as malnutrition, indoor air pollution, and lack of immunization increase the risk of pneumonia-related mortality.
In India, specific public health initiatives like the SAANS (Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully) campaign target the high burden of pneumonia.

Option A: Diarrhea is a major cause of under-five mortality but is generally ranked second to pneumonia among infectious causes. Its mortality rates have seen a significant decline due to the widespread use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
Option C: Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. Thanks to the Universal Immunization Programme in India, mortality from measles has been drastically reduced and it is not the leading cause of death.
Option D: While injuries (like falls, burns, drowning, and road accidents) are a significant cause of child mortality, their overall contribution is less than that of major infectious diseases like pneumonia in India.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Leading causes of under-five child mortality in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the leading causes of child mortality is fundamental for community health nurses to design and prioritize health promotion and disease prevention programs.
Nurses play a key role in educating mothers and families about the signs of pneumonia (fast breathing, chest in-drawing), the importance of seeking timely care, and preventive measures like immunization (PCV, Hib) and proper nutrition.
This knowledge is critical for implementing national health programs like the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) and the SAANS campaign effectively.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core elements of the question: the outcome ('leading cause of death'), the population ('children under the age of five'), and the location ('India').
This is a factual recall question based on public health data and epidemiology. It requires knowledge of common child health statistics.
Review the given options: Diarrhea, Pneumonia, Measles, and Injuries.
Compare the options based on their known impact. Recall that respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases are the top two infectious killers of young children in developing countries.
Consider the impact of public health interventions. Measles is largely controlled by vaccination, making it a less likely leading cause.
Between pneumonia and diarrhea, recall or deduce that pneumonia accounts for a slightly higher proportion of deaths, making it the leading infectious cause.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) pp. 71-73, 73-75