Question

Prevalence of a disease

(a) Is the best measure of disease frequency in etiological studies
(b) Can only be determined by a cohort study
(c) Is the number of new cases in a defined population
(d) Describes the balance between incidence, mortality and recovery

Answer 1

Prevalence of a disease represents the total number of new and existing cases in a defined population over time and gives a picture of the health burden of a disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The prevalence of a disease is most accurately described as the total number of both new and existing cases in a population over a period of time. It is not the best measure of disease frequency in etiological studies nor determined solely by a cohort study. Instead, prevalence provides an indication of the overall health burden of a disease within a community.

In contrast, incidence is the number of new cases in a defined population and is primarily concerned with risk factors and the spread of disease. Prevalence can show us the balance between the incidence, mortality, and recovery rates because it encompasses all cases within a specific time frame.