Which activity is an example of primary prevention?

Choice A rationale Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs by modifying risk factors and promoting health. Teaching school-aged children about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse falls under this category as it is an intervention directed at a susceptible population to prevent the initial onset of substance use disorders and their related complications later in life, thus maintaining their current health status. Choice B rationale This is an example of tertiary prevention, which focuses on rehabilitation and minimizing the long-term effects of a chronic illness or disability. Assisting a person with a long history of mental illness to acquire money management skills helps to improve their functioning and quality of life, prevents further deterioration, and facilitates their optimal level of social integration despite the established mental health condition. Choice C rationale This is an example of tertiary prevention. Encouraging an amputee to talk about their feelings addresses the psychosocial consequences of a disability or illness that has already occurred. The goal is to limit the resulting disability by providing emotional support and coping mechanisms to prevent severe psychological distress and facilitate psychological adjustment and rehabilitation to the changed body image and life circumstances. Choice D rationale Genetic counseling for a couple who is expecting their first child is a form of primary prevention when it involves assessing the risk of inherited disorders and providing education on preventative measures or reproductive choices to avert the occurrence of a genetic condition in the fetus. This intervention is designed to prevent the development of a disease before its initial appearance.