RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Paix - Travail – Patrie Peace - Work - Fatherland
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MINISTÈRE DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT SUPÉRIEUR MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
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SECRETARIAT GENERAL SECRETARIAT GENERAL
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COMMISSION NATIONALE D’ORGANISATION NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE ORGANISATION
DES EXAMENS NATIONAUX ET DES CONCOURS OF NATIONAL EXAMS AND COMPETITIVE ENTRANCE
---------- EXAMINATIONS
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NATIONAL EXAM OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA – 2025 SESSION
PRE HND 2025
SPECIALITY/ OPTION: NUS/MLS/PHT/DTH/MID/NUD/HCM/ULS
PAPER: PUBLIC HEALTH
DURATION: 3 HOURS CREDIT: 9/9/6/9/6/9/9/7
INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS UNDER EACH SECTION
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (25MARKS)
WRITE DOWN THE CORRECT LETTER INSIDE YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET
1. The social determinants of health include all EXCEPT: a) Education level b)
Antibiotics c) Income d) Housing conditions
2. The term "health literacy" refers to: a) The ability of physicians to communicate
effectively b) The ability to read and understand basic health information c) Medical
education curriculum d) Health research publications
3. Which disease has been successfully eradicated globally? a) Polio b) Smallpox c)
Tuberculosis d) Malaria
4. The leading cause of maternal deaths in developing countries is: a) Infection b)
Hemorrhage c) Hypertensive disorders d) Unsafe abortion
5. Which is NOT a method of contraception? a) IUD b) Oral contraceptive pills c)
Ultrasonography d) Condoms
6. The "One Health" approach recognizes the connection between: a) Primary and
secondary healthcare b) Human, animal, and environmental health c) Traditional
and modern medicine d) Physical and mental health
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7. Newborn jaundice is primarily caused by high levels of: a) Glucose b) Bilirubin c)
Creatinine d) Hemoglobin
8. What is the most common vector for dengue fever transmission? a) Aedes mosquito
b) Anopheles mosquito c) Housefly d) Ticks
9. Which of the following is NOT a method of waste disposal? a) Landfill b) Incineration
c) Composting d) Vaccination
10. Health education is an example of: a) Curative care b) Palliative care c) Preventive
care d) Rehabilitative care
11. Which of the following vaccines is NOT part of the standard childhood immunization
schedule? a) BCG b) HPV c) Hepatitis B d) DPT
12. Universal Health Coverage aims to ensure that: a) All people have access to needed
health services without financial hardship b) All diseases are cured c) All countries
have the same healthcare system d) All doctors receive the same training
13. Which of the following is NOT a principle of medical ethics? a) Autonomy b)
Beneficence c) non-maleficence d) Profitability
14. Which vitamin deficiency causes beriberi? a) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) b) Vitamin B12
(Cobalamin) c) Vitamin K d) Vitamin E
15. What is the recommended first food for infants after exclusive breastfeeding? a)
Fruit juice b) Cereal mixed with formula c) Cereal mixed with breast milk d) Cow's
milk
16. Which of the following is a nosocomial infection? a) An infection acquired during
hospital stay b) An infection acquired through food c) An infection transmitted from
animals to humans d) An infection affecting the nose
17. Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is primarily used to treat: a) Respiratory infections b)
Diarrheal diseases c) Skin infections d) Urinary tract infections
18. The process of determining disease distribution in a population is called: a)
Pathology b) Epidemiology c) Microbiology d) Physiology
19. Which is NOT a common anthropometric measurement used to assess nutritional
status? a) Weight b) Blood pressure c) Height d) Mid-upper arm circumference
20. A disease that occurs at a constant low level in a specific geographic area is termed:
a) Epidemic b) Pandemic c) Endemic d) Sporadic
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21. Which organization published the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)? a)
CDC b) WHO c) UNICEF d) MSF
22. Family planning services are primarily aimed at: a) Increasing birth rates b)
Controlling population growth c) Enabling choice in reproductive decisions d)
Promoting large families
23. The safest method for disposing of sharps waste in healthcare settings is: a) General
waste bin b) Recycling c) Puncture-proof containers d) Burning in open pits
24. Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition primarily characterized by: a) Iron deficiency b)
Protein deficiency c) Vitamin A deficiency d) Iodine deficiency
25. The concept of "DOTS" is associated with the control of: a) Diabetes b) Tuberculosis
c) Hypertension d) HIV/AIDS
SECTION B: SHORT ESSAY (25 MARKS)
1. Define health according to the World Health Organization and explain how this
definition has evolved over time. (4 marks)
Describe four challenges in implementing this holistic definition of health in
healthcare systems. (8 marks)
2. Compare and contrast the following public health concepts:
i. Communicable and non-communicable diseases
ii. Active and passive immunity
iii. Health promotion and disease prevention
iv. Case fatality rate and mortality rate (2 marks each = 8 marks)
3. Describe five key strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
related to health (SDG 3). (5 marks)
SECTION C: LONG ESSAY (50 MARKS)
1. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of public health preparedness
and response.
a) Describe the key components of an effective pandemic preparedness plan at the
national level. (10 marks)
b) Explain the concept of "flattening the curve" and discuss three public health
interventions that contribute to this strategy. (10 marks)
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2. Present a comprehensive analysis of the leading causes, consequences, and
prevention strategies for maternal mortality in developing countries. Your answer
should address:
a) Major causes of maternal mortality (6 marks)
b) Social and economic consequences of maternal deaths (4 marks)
c) Evidence-based interventions to reduce maternal mortality (10 marks)
3. (A) Define "community participation" in the context of primary healthcare. (3 marks)
(B) Discuss seven principles and strategies for effective community participation in
health programs, with relevant examples. (7 marks)
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