Which of the following is not a principle of primary health care?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

The principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) focus on accessibility, equity, and sustainability, not necessarily on using the most advanced technology available.
The correct principle is 'Appropriate Technology,' which is defined as technology that is scientifically sound, adaptable to local needs, acceptable to the community, and affordable.
'Latest technology' implies using the newest and often most expensive equipment, which may not be suitable, sustainable, or affordable in many community settings, contradicting the core philosophy of PHC.

Option B: Equitable distribution is a core principle of PHC. It states that health services must be shared equally by all people, irrespective of their ability to pay or where they live.
Option C: Community participation is a fundamental principle of PHC. It emphasizes the involvement of the community in planning, implementing, and maintaining their own health services.
Option D: A multi-sectorial approach (or intersectoral coordination) is a key principle of PHC. It recognizes that health is influenced by many factors outside the health sector, requiring collaboration with areas like education, agriculture, and sanitation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Community health nurses apply these principles daily. They work to ensure care is accessible to all (equity), involve local leaders and families in health programs (community participation), collaborate with schools and local government (multi-sectorial approach), and use tools and methods that are practical for the local context (appropriate technology).
Understanding these principles is crucial for planning effective public health interventions that are sustainable and accepted by the community.
What if? If a community health nurse tries to implement a program using complex, expensive equipment ('latest technology') in a remote village with no electricity or trained personnel, the program is likely to fail. This highlights the importance of 'appropriate technology' over the 'latest technology'.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the 'principles of primary health care'.
Note the negative keyword 'not'. This signals that you need to find the option that is an exception or does not belong to the group of PHC principles.
Recall the four main principles of PHC: Equitable distribution, Community participation, Intersectoral coordination (multi-sectorial approach), and Appropriate technology.
Systematically compare each option with the known principles.
Option A, 'Latest technology', is different from the principle of 'Appropriate technology'.
Options B, C, and D directly match the core principles.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC)
Stem keywords: principle, primary health care
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: Question asks for the exception (what is NOT a principle)

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