Which level of disease prevention includes vaccination campaigns and handwashing promotion?

Which level of disease prevention includes vaccination campaigns and handwashing promotion?

• A. Primary prevention
• B. Secondary prevention
• C. Tertiary prevention
• D. Quaternary prevention

Answer: (A)

Preventing disease before it starts is the goal of primary prevention. Vaccination campaigns and promoting handwashing are classic examples because they protect healthy individuals from developing illness or from spreading infection in the first place. The idea is to remove or reduce the risk before any disease occurs. In contrast, secondary prevention focuses on catching disease early through screening to stop progression, while tertiary prevention aims to lessen complications and disability once a disease is established. Quaternary prevention is about safeguarding against unnecessary or harmful medical interventions.

Preventing disease before it starts is the goal of primary prevention. Vaccination campaigns and promoting handwashing are classic examples because they protect healthy individuals from developing illness or from spreading infection in the first place. The idea is to remove or reduce the risk before any disease occurs. In contrast, secondary prevention focuses on catching disease early through screening to stop progression, while tertiary prevention aims to lessen complications and disability once a disease is established. Quaternary prevention is about safeguarding against unnecessary or harmful medical interventions.