What is primary prevention?

• A. Prevention that happens before the disease
• B. Prevention that happens after the disease
• C. Managing complicated, long-term diseases
• D. Screening and early detection

Answer: (A)

Primary prevention aims to stop disease from developing in the first place by reducing risk factors and enhancing protective factors before any illness appears. It includes actions like vaccination, health education promoting healthy lifestyles, sanitation improvements, and policies that reduce exposure to hazards. The goal is to lower the incidence of disease across the population. In contrast, screening and early detection are secondary prevention because they identify disease after it has begun so treatment can prevent progression, and managing complicated, long-term diseases is tertiary prevention, focusing on reducing complications once a disease is established. So prevention before the disease occurs is the best description of primary prevention.