At what age is the first dose of the MMR vaccine typically administered to a child?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 12 months. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is typically administered at 12 months of age because this is when a child's immune system is more developed to respond effectively to the vaccine. Administering it earlier may not provide adequate protection. Choice A (At birth) is incorrect because newborns have maternal antibodies that can interfere with the vaccine's efficacy. Choice B (6 months) is too early as infants need time to develop their immune system. Choice D (18 months) is also incorrect as delaying the vaccine may leave the child vulnerable to diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Infant mortality rate. This indicator reflects the number of infants who die before reaching one year of age per 1,000 live births. It is a crucial measure of the overall health of a population as it reflects the quality of healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions. High infant mortality rates indicate poor health outcomes and inadequate healthcare services. A: Literacy rate is not directly related to measuring the health status of a population. B: GDP measures the economic performance of a country and does not directly reflect the health status of its population. D: Employment rate is an indicator of the labor market situation, not specifically related to health status measurement.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Antiretroviral therapy. This is a key strategy because it involves giving HIV medications to the mother during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as to the newborn, significantly reducing the risk of transmission. Antiretroviral therapy helps lower the viral load in the mother's body, making it less likely for the virus to be passed on to the child. Exclusive breastfeeding (choice A) can increase the risk of transmission, routine immunization (choice B) does not directly prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and nutritional supplementation (choice D) is not a primary strategy for preventing transmission.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases because regular exercise helps maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels. It reduces the risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, which are all linked to cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, choices A, C, and D are not major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Low cholesterol levels (A) are usually considered beneficial for heart health, low blood pressure (C) is generally a sign of good cardiovascular health, and while adequate sleep (D) is important for overall well-being, it is not directly linked to cardiovascular diseases.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Folic acid. Folic acid is critical for preventing neural tube defects as it is essential for proper development of the neural tube in the fetus. It helps in the formation of the baby's brain and spinal cord. Iron (A) is important for preventing anemia, not neural tube defects. Calcium (B) is crucial for bone health but not directly related to neural tube development. Vitamin D (D) is important for calcium absorption, but not specifically for preventing neural tube defects. Overall, folic acid stands out as the most critical nutrient for this purpose.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Improving access to high-quality immunization services. GIVS aims to ensure that everyone has access to vaccines and immunization services to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. This objective aligns with the overall goal of increasing vaccination coverage and reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable illnesses globally. Choice A is incorrect as GIVS focuses on communicable diseases, not non-communicable diseases. Choice C is incorrect as GIVS aims to improve access to immunization services, not necessarily reduce the cost of healthcare. Choice D is incorrect as GIVS does not specifically target increasing the number of healthcare professionals, but rather improving access to immunization services.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Focusing solely on curative care. The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program aims to prevent illness and promote health in pregnant women, mothers, infants, and children. Focusing solely on curative care does not align with the preventive and promotive goals of the MCH program. Reducing infant mortality, improving maternal health, and providing family planning services are integral components of the MCH program that aim to enhance the overall well-being of mothers and children. By emphasizing prevention and health promotion, the MCH program aims to address the root causes of health issues rather than solely focusing on treating illnesses after they occur.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Folic acid. Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects because it plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and cell division, particularly during early fetal development. Adequate folic acid intake before and during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Iron (A), Vitamin C (B), and Calcium (C) are important nutrients for overall health but do not have a direct role in preventing neural tube defects. Iron is vital for red blood cell production, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system, and Calcium is essential for bone health. However, for preventing neural tube defects specifically, folic acid is the essential nutrient.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months provides complete nutrition for the infant, meeting all their dietary needs. Breast milk contains essential nutrients and antibodies that support healthy growth and development. It also helps to strengthen the baby's immune system and reduce the risk of infections. Ensuring complete nutrition through breastfeeding is crucial for optimal health outcomes in the early stages of life. Preventing childhood obesity, increasing the risk of allergies, and delaying cognitive development are not directly linked to exclusive breastfeeding and are therefore incorrect choices.