IGNOU FREE BANS-184 Public Health and Epidemiology Solved Guess Paper 2025

⭐ Q1. Define Public Health. Explain its principles and importance in society.

Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organised community efforts. Unlike clinical medicine, which focuses on treating individual patients, public health focuses on populations. It aims to improve the health of whole communities through prevention, health education, policy-making, and environmental safety measures.

Public health is built on several important principles. The first principle is disease prevention. Instead of waiting for illness to occur, public health systems work proactively by promoting vaccination, sanitation, vector control, and lifestyle modifications. Prevention is cost-effective and reduces the burden on healthcare systems. The second principle is health promotion, which includes awareness programmes on nutrition, physical activity, hygiene, mental health, and healthy behavioural choices.

Another key principle is equity, ensuring that all people—regardless of gender, caste, economic status, or geography—have equal access to health services. Public health also emphasises community participation. Health programmes are successful only when communities are actively involved. For example, sanitation campaigns, maternal health programmes, and vaccination drives work best when people participate voluntarily.

A major component of public health is surveillance, which means continuous monitoring of diseases. Surveillance systems help detect outbreaks early and prevent epidemics. Public health also plays a major role in policy-making, guiding governments in creating laws related to pollution control, food safety, road safety, tobacco regulation, maternal health, and infectious diseases.

The importance of public health is immense. It reduces the spread of infectious diseases like TB, malaria, COVID-19, and dengue. It improves maternal and child health by promoting safe childbirth and child nutrition. It increases life expectancy by preventing chronic illnesses through early screening and lifestyle changes. Public health also addresses environmental problems such as air and water pollution, waste management, and climate-related health risks.

Public health contributes to social stability by reducing health inequalities and improving quality of life. Economically, it saves resources by reducing hospital admission and increasing productivity.

In summary, public health is essential for the well-being of all communities. It focuses on prevention rather than cure, promotes healthy behaviour, and ensures environmental and social conditions that support good health. It is a foundational pillar for building a healthy and strong society.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

⭐ Q2. What is Epidemiology? Describe its aims and major uses.

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It helps identify how diseases spread, who is affected, and what factors increase or decrease risk.

The primary aim of epidemiology is to understand the causes of diseases. By identifying risk factors such as lifestyle, genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, and socioeconomic conditions, epidemiologists help in designing preventive strategies. Another key aim is to describe disease occurrence by measuring incidence, prevalence, mortality, and morbidity. These measurements show how widespread a disease is and help in planning health programmes.

Epidemiology also aims to predict future trends, which is essential for preparing health systems. For example, predicting seasonal outbreaks of influenza or dengue enables the government to warn the public and prepare hospitals. Another major aim is to evaluate interventions. Epidemiology assesses whether a vaccine, public health programme, or health policy is effective.

The uses of epidemiology are extensive. One key use is disease surveillance. Monitoring diseases like HIV, malaria, and COVID-19 helps detect outbreaks early and prevents epidemics. Another major use is identifying high-risk groups, such as smokers who are at risk of lung cancer, or pregnant women who need special care.

Epidemiology is essential for planning and managing health services. It provides data for allocating resources, establishing treatment guidelines, and creating public health laws. It also helps in environmental health, such as identifying health risks from water contamination, air pollution, or toxic chemicals.

Another important use is in clinical research, where epidemiological methods determine whether new treatments or interventions are effective. It also plays a crucial role in public health education by raising awareness about risk factors.

In summary, epidemiology is a cornerstone of modern public health. Its aims—understanding causes, measuring disease, predicting trends, and evaluating interventions—make it essential for improving population health. Through surveillance, research, and data analysis, epidemiology guides governments and health organisations in protecting communities and preventing diseases.

⭐ Q3. Explain the natural history of disease with its levels of prevention.

The natural history of disease describes the progression of a disease from its beginning to its final outcome without medical intervention. It helps public health professionals design strategies to prevent disease at various stages. The natural history is usually divided into two phases: pre-pathogenesis and pathogenesis.

In the pre-pathogenesis phase, the individual is not yet exposed to the agent, but environmental, social, and behavioural factors increase the risk. For example, poor sanitation, unhealthy diet, or lack of exercise create conditions favourable for diseases.

The pathogenesis phase begins when the disease agent enters the body. This phase includes stages of incubation, early symptoms, clinical illness, complications, and either recovery, disability, or death.

To interrupt this chain, public health uses three major levels of prevention.

1. Primary Prevention:
This level aims to prevent disease before it occurs. It includes health promotion and specific protection. Examples: vaccination, sanitation, hand-washing, mosquito control, safe drinking water, promoting exercise, reducing tobacco use, and nutritional education. Primary prevention is the most cost-effective method and is used widely for controlling infectious diseases.

2. Secondary Prevention:
This level focuses on early detection and prompt treatment to stop progression. Screening is a major tool. Examples: screening for hypertension, diabetes, cervical cancer, breast cancer, TB testing, and early detection of malnutrition. Secondary prevention reduces disease complications and prevents disability.

3. Tertiary Prevention:
This level reduces disability and improves quality of life after the disease has already caused damage. It includes rehabilitation, physiotherapy, mental health counselling, prosthetic support, cardiac rehabilitation, and long-term care. It aims to restore function and prevent further deterioration.

Together, these levels of prevention help break the disease chain at different stages. The natural history of disease is essential for healthcare planning because it shows when and how interventions can be most effective.

In conclusion, understanding the natural history of disease helps in designing appropriate public health strategies. Primary prevention prevents disease, secondary prevention detects it early, and tertiary prevention minimises long-term impact. All levels are crucial for improving population health.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

⭐ Q4. Describe the concept of disease causation and explain the epidemiological triad.

Disease causation refers to the various factors responsible for the occurrence of disease. Diseases are rarely caused by a single factor; rather, they result from interactions between multiple biological, environmental, and social factors. Epidemiologists study these interactions to understand how diseases arise and how they can be controlled.

One of the most widely used models of disease causation is the Epidemiological Triad, which consists of three components: Agent, Host, and Environment.

The Agent is the factor that directly causes disease. Agents can be biological (bacteria, viruses, parasites), chemical (toxins, pollutants, allergens), physical (heat, radiation, noise), or nutritional (deficiency or excess). For example, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the agent causing TB, while tobacco smoke is a chemical agent.

The Host refers to the individual who can get the disease. Host factors include age, gender, genetics, immunity, nutrition, behaviour, and socioeconomic status. For example, elderly people with weak immunity are more prone to influenza, and children with poor nutrition are at higher risk of infections.

The Environment includes all external factors that promote disease transmission. These can be physical (climate, sanitation), biological (mosquito breeding), or social (poverty, overcrowding, cultural practices). For example, stagnant water supports mosquito breeding, leading to malaria outbreaks.

Disease occurs when the agent is present in a susceptible host and the environment favours transmission. This interaction explains why some people fall sick while others remain healthy even when exposed.

The epidemiological triad helps public health professionals design prevention strategies. For example:

• Eliminating the agent through vaccination or antibiotics

• Strengthening the host by improving nutrition and immunity

• Modifying the environment through sanitation, clean water, and vector control

In summary, disease causation is multifactorial, and the epidemiological triad provides a simple yet powerful way to understand how diseases arise. By targeting all three components, public health programmes can effectively reduce disease burden.

⭐ Q5. Discuss the social determinants of health and their influence on public health outcomes.

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence people’s health. They include socioeconomic status, education, employment, gender, culture, environment, and access to healthcare. These determinants shape health behaviours and risk exposures, ultimately affecting public health outcomes.

One major determinant is poverty. Poor people often lack access to nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, and quality healthcare. They live in crowded areas where infections spread easily. As a result, they experience higher rates of malnutrition, infectious diseases, and maternal mortality.

Education plays a crucial role. Educated individuals are more aware of hygienic practices, family planning, and disease prevention. They are more likely to seek timely healthcare. Communities with higher literacy levels show better child survival rates and improved overall health.

Employment and income affect health by determining access to housing, food, medical care, and safe working conditions. Occupations involving exposure to chemicals, dust, noise, or physical hazards increase health risks.

Gender is another determinant. Women in many societies face discrimination, limited access to healthcare, and increased risk of malnutrition. Gender inequality leads to poor maternal health outcomes.

Environment also affects health. Polluted air and water contribute to respiratory diseases, cancers, and gastrointestinal infections. Safe housing, clean neighbourhoods, and green spaces promote physical and mental well-being.

Social support networks—family, friends, community groups—improve mental health, reduce stress, and promote healthy behaviour. People with weak social support are more prone to depression and unhealthy habits.

Access to healthcare is also central. Rural populations often have fewer hospitals, trained doctors, or emergency services, leading to delayed treatment and poor outcomes.

In summary, social determinants of health play a powerful role in shaping public health outcomes. Improving these determinants is essential for achieving health equity and building healthier societies.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

⭐ Q6. Explain the relationship between behaviour, lifestyle, and chronic diseases.

Behaviour and lifestyle significantly influence the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity. Unlike infectious diseases, chronic diseases develop gradually and are strongly linked to long-term habits and daily choices.

Unhealthy diets high in sugar, salt, and processed foods are major contributors to obesity, metabolic disorders, and hypertension. Low consumption of fruits and vegetables increases the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Physical inactivity is another major behavioural risk factor. Sedentary lifestyles reduce metabolism, increase weight, weaken muscles, and decrease cardiovascular fitness. Lack of exercise is directly associated with diabetes and heart diseases.

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of disease. Smoking damages the lungs, increases cancer risk, elevates blood pressure, and contributes to stroke. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver cirrhosis, accidents, mental health issues, and cancers.

Stress and psychological factors also influence chronic diseases. Long-term stress increases cortisol levels, contributing to hypertension, insomnia, depression, and weakened immunity. Unhealthy coping behaviours—overeating, smoking, and alcohol—reinforce the risk.

Family and social environments shape behaviour. Children raised in households with unhealthy eating habits or smoking exposure are more likely to adopt similar behaviours. Urban environments with limited open spaces discourage physical activity.

Behaviour modification—through awareness, counselling, and community interventions—can significantly prevent chronic diseases. Public health programmes promote lifestyle changes such as balanced diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol use.

In summary, behaviour and lifestyle are central to chronic disease prevention. Healthy habits greatly reduce the risk and improve overall well-being.

⭐ Q7. What is Health Education? Discuss its role in public health promotion.

Health education is the process of informing, motivating, and enabling individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviours. It uses communication, counselling, and learning strategies to promote health and prevent disease. Health education is a key component of public health because behaviour change is essential for improving population health.

Health education creates awareness about diseases, risk factors, hygiene, nutrition, safe sexual practices, immunisation, and environmental health. When people understand the consequences of unhealthy behaviours, they are more likely to adopt healthy practices.

It also promotes behaviour change. This includes quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, practising hand-washing, and using mosquito nets. Behaviour change communication (BCC) campaigns use posters, radio, social media, street plays, and community meetings.

Health education empowers communities by providing decision-making skills. For example, pregnant women learn the importance of antenatal check-ups and proper nutrition. Parents learn about ORS, breastfeeding, and immunisation schedules.

Health education supports disease prevention at all levels. It encourages early detection through screening and promotes treatment adherence. For example, educating TB patients about completing medication prevents drug resistance.

Health education also addresses social issues such as stigma, gender inequality, substance abuse, and violence. By changing attitudes, it promotes a supportive and healthy environment.

In public health promotion, health education builds healthier societies by creating awareness, changing behaviour, reducing risk factors, and encouraging community involvement.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

⭐ Q8. Explain qualitative and quantitative research methods used in public health.

Public health uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to study health problems and design interventions. Quantitative methods focus on numerical data, while qualitative methods explore experiences, behaviours, and perceptions.

Quantitative research includes surveys, experiments, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies. It measures incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes. Quantitative data is analysed statistically to identify patterns. For example, surveys can estimate how many people suffer from diabetes in a community.

Qualitative research explores why and how health behaviours occur. It uses interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and case studies. Qualitative methods help public health workers understand cultural beliefs, barriers to healthcare, stigma, and community needs. For example, interviews may reveal why women avoid institutional childbirth.

Both methods complement each other. Quantitative research provides measurable evidence, while qualitative research provides deep understanding. Together, they help design effective public health programmes.

⭐ Q9. What is Sampling? Explain different sampling methods used in health research.

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of individuals from a population to conduct research. It is used when studying the entire population is difficult or impossible. Sampling saves time, reduces cost, and improves accuracy if done properly.

Sampling methods are divided into probability and non-probability sampling.

Probability Sampling:

1. Simple Random Sampling: Every individual has equal chance of selection.

2. Systematic Sampling: Selecting every nth person from a list.

3. Stratified Sampling: Population is divided into groups (age, gender), and samples are taken from each.

4. Cluster Sampling: Selecting whole groups such as villages or schools.

Non-Probability Sampling:

1. Convenience Sampling: Selecting people who are easily available.

2. Purposive Sampling: Selecting people who have specific knowledge or characteristics.

3. Snowball Sampling: Existing participants recruit new participants, useful for hidden groups (drug users, sex workers).

Sampling ensures that research findings are valid and representative of the larger population.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

⭐ Q10. Define Statistical Measures. Explain mean, median, and mode with their uses in public health.

Statistical measures describe and summarise numerical data. The most common measures of central tendency are mean, median, and mode. These help public health workers understand data trends and make decisions.

Mean is the average of numbers. It is calculated by adding all values and dividing by the number of values. Mean is useful for normally distributed data, such as average height, weight, or blood pressure. However, it can be affected by extreme values.

Median is the middle value when data is arranged in order. It is useful when data is skewed or contains outliers. For example, median income gives a better picture of economic status than mean income because a few very rich people can distort the mean.

Mode is the value that occurs most frequently. It is useful for categorical data, such as identifying the most common disease in a community or the most common blood group.

Together, mean, median, and mode help summarise health data, identify trends, and support decision-making in public health.

Buy IGNOU Solved Guess Paper With Important Questions  :-

 Follow For Updates: senrigbookhouse

Read Also :

• IGNOU FREE BANS-184 सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य और महामारी विज्ञान Solved Guess Paper With Imp Questions 2025