INI-CET EXAM -2026
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Easy
Which of the following statement is correct with respect to the Pearl Index?
Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2026
Explanation
- The Pearl Index is the standard measure for contraceptive effectiveness, defined as the number of accidental pregnancies per 100 woman-years of use.
- A 'woman-year' represents 100 women using a contraceptive for one year, or an equivalent combination (e.g., 200 women for 6 months), creating a standardized unit for comparison.
- This standardized unit allows for accurate comparison of failure rates across different contraceptive methods and study durations.
- The calculation includes all pregnancies, regardless of outcome (live birth, miscarriage, or abortion), making it a comprehensive measure of contraceptive failure.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: While numerically equivalent (100 women for 1 year = 100 woman-years), this phrasing is less precise than the standard technical term '100 woman-years of contraceptive use,' which accounts for varying numbers of women over different time periods.
- Option C: The Pearl Index counts all accidental pregnancies, including those that end in miscarriage or abortion, not just live births.
- Option D: The denominator is 'woman-years of exposure,' which is a measure of time, not just the number of couples. The numerator includes all pregnancies, not a subset.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and application of the Pearl Index in assessing contraceptive effectiveness as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses use the Pearl Index to counsel patients on contraceptive choices, explaining the difference between 'perfect use' and 'typical use' failure rates to help patients select a method that fits their lifestyle and ability to adhere.
- A lower Pearl Index indicates higher effectiveness. This is critical when counseling a patient for whom pregnancy would pose a significant health risk.
- What if? If a patient is choosing between an IUD (Pearl Index less than 1) and oral contraceptive pills (Pearl Index approximately 7), the nurse must explain that while both are effective, the IUD's effectiveness is not dependent on daily user action, leading to a much lower 'typical use' failure rate.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pearl Index'.
- This is a factual recall question requiring knowledge of a specific epidemiological definition used in family planning.
- Recall that the Pearl Index is a rate that measures contraceptive failure.
- Analyze the options to find the one that correctly defines this rate. Pay close attention to the numerator (what is being counted) and the denominator (the population and time frame).
- The term '100 woman-years' is the standard unit of measurement. This is the key differentiator. The numerator should be 'accidental pregnancies,' not just 'live births'.
- Select the option that matches the precise, standard definition.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Definition and application of the Pearl Index in assessing contraceptive effectiveness.
- Stem keywords: Pearl Index, correct statement, contraceptive use
- Lead-in keywords: correct
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QZnPSHSUxHLZ3pa-i-P8Uw
Reference Book
E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 3-5
E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 72-95
Practise the full INI-CET EXAM -2026
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
More Population Dynamics and Control of Conception Questions
- What is the best time of insertion of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD)?
- Which of the following Emergency contraceptive methods, except?
- Cu IUCD 380A is effective up to how many years to prevent conception?
- Which of the following method of contraception can prevent sexually transmitted disease?
- Natural method of family planning among the following is?
- A woman using a diaphragm for contraception should be instructed to leave it in place for at least how long after intercourse?
- Which of the following is the terminal method of contraceptive in males?
- Which of the following is the terminal method of contraception?
- A 38-year-old lady wants to use a spacing method. She is smoking one packet of cigarettes daily. Which method of contraception is best for her?
- The surgical procedure that involves blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes to prevent the passage of eggs is:
More INI-CET EXAM -2026 Questions
- In the diagram of the abdominal wall musculature, the muscle labelled 'X' and the structure formed by its aponeurosis are best identified as:
- A 45-year-old chronic smoker is being counselled for smoking cessation therapy. Which of the following statements regarding nicotine replacement and…
- Lamotrigine is most effective in which of the following seizure types?& x20;
- In the labelled diagram of laryngeal intrinsic muscles, which labelled muscle is solely responsible for abduction of the vocal cords?
- & x20;Which muscle, as shown in the diagram, attaches to the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube and also blends with the soft palate?
- Q4. Match each of the following organs with its correct embryological tissue of origin: Organ Embryological Origin& x20; A. Thyroid gland 1. Neural c…
- Q5. Match each of the following gastrointestinal organs with its distinctive histological feature: & x20;Organ Histological Feature & x20;1\. Ileum a…
- Q6. A developmental remnant of the embryological hindgut persisting in the retrorectal (presacral) space is most likely to give rise to which of the…
- & x20;The histological section shown in the image, characterized by predominantly serous acini, is best identified as which organ?
- A failure of fusion of the maxillary process with the medial nasal process during embryonic development results in which type of cleft anomaly?