Which of the following national health programmes is mainly aimed at controlling vector-borne disease?

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

NVBDCP stands for the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
It is the central agency responsible for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in India.
The key diseases covered under this programme are Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Kala-azar, and Lymphatic Filariasis.
These diseases are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes and sandflies, which is the direct focus of the NVBDCP.

Option A: RNTCP (now known as National Tuberculosis Elimination Program - NTEP) focuses on Tuberculosis, which is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air, not by vectors.
Option C: NWSSP is concerned with environmental health, specifically providing safe drinking water and sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, not vector-borne diseases.
Option D: IDDCP is a nutrition-focused programme aimed at preventing disorders that arise from a lack of iodine in the diet, such as goiter and cretinism. It has no connection to vector control.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Knowledge of National Health Programmes in India and their specific objectives helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding national health programmes is crucial for community health nurses to participate in disease surveillance, health education, and implementation of control measures.
Nurses play a key role in identifying suspected cases of vector-borne diseases, providing treatment, and educating the community on preventive measures like using mosquito nets and eliminating breeding sites.
What if? - If a community reports a sudden increase in fever with joint pain, a nurse aware of NVBDCP would recognize the pattern of a possible Chikungunya or Dengue outbreak and initiate the appropriate reporting and response protocol under the programme.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the key term: 'vector-borne disease'.
Next, analyze the acronyms provided in the options. Try to expand them based on your knowledge of national health programmes.
The acronym NVBDCP contains 'VB', which is a strong clue for 'Vector Borne'.
Confirm the full form: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
Evaluate the other options to ensure they are incorrect. RNTCP is for TB, NWSSP is for water/sanitation, and IDDCP is for iodine deficiency. None relate to vectors.
Conclude that NVBDCP is the only programme specifically targeting vector-borne diseases.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Knowledge of National Health Programmes in India and their specific objectives.
Stem keywords: national health programmes, vector-borne disease
Lead-in keywords: Which

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Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

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