Final answer:
Secondary prevention targets individuals already exhibiting symptoms by early detection and treatment to stop disease progression. It includes routine medical screenings and check-ups, and educational measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The level of prevention that targets individuals with symptoms is Secondary prevention. This level of prevention aims to halt the progress of a disease at its incipient stage and prevent complications by early detection and treatment. An example would be performing Pap smears to detect and treat cervical cancer in its early stages, which can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality rates associated with the disease.
Secondary prevention may involve routine screenings, routine medical check-ups, and public health education to recognize early signs of diseases. Screenings like mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer are also crucial components of secondary prevention. Public health interventions, such as vaccinations and promoting hand hygiene, can further decrease the prevalence of diseases in a community, thus reducing the number of symptomatic individuals who require secondary prevention measures.
By understanding the disease's prevalence and incidence, healthcare professionals can better target secondary prevention efforts in areas with higher rates of the disease. This level of prevention is vital for controlling and limiting the impact of diseases on the population, especially in low-income countries where there might be a higher burden of disease.