Community Health II: Main Exam, 23 July 2026
Mount Kenya University · Department of Environmental Health and Health Systems Management · Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology · DPH2103
Community Health II (dph2103) past paper from Mount Kenya University 2025-2026 with model answers.
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A.
ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS IN SECTION B.
Section A (40 marks)
1. State three methods used for communicable disease control. (5 marks)
- Vaccination – immunising individuals to prevent infection.
- Isolation/Quarantine – separating infected or exposed persons to stop spread.
- Health Education – informing public about hygiene and preventive practices.
- Vector Control – reducing disease carriers such as mosquitoes or flies.
- Screening and Treatment – early detection of cases and prompt therapy to reduce transmission.
2. Explain the chain of infection, and state why breaking it is important? (5 marks)
- Agent – the microorganism that causes disease.
- Reservoir – where the agent lives and multiplies.
- Portal of Exit – route by which the agent leaves the reservoir.
- Mode of Transmission – how the agent is transferred (direct, indirect, vector).
- Portal of Entry – route by which the agent enters a new host.
- Susceptible Host – a person with no immunity.
- Breaking the chain stops infection spread, protecting the community and reducing outbreaks.
3. Explain the role of community participation in disease control programmes. (5 marks)
- Needs Assessment – community identifies health problems, ensuring programmes target real issues.
- Planning & Decision‑making – locals contribute ideas, increasing relevance and ownership.
- Implementation – community volunteers assist with delivery, improving coverage.
- Monitoring & Evaluation – residents provide feedback, helping adjust activities.
- Sustainability – participation builds local capacity, maintaining benefits after external support ends.
4. Describe five nutritional requirements during pregnancy. (5 marks)
- Energy – increased caloric intake (≈300 kcal extra per day) for fetal growth.
- Protein – 1.1 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ to support tissue development.
- Folate – 400 µg day⁻¹ to prevent neural‑tube defects.
- Iron – 27 mg day⁻¹ to meet expanded blood volume and fetal needs.
- Calcium – 1 g day⁻¹ for fetal bone mineralisation.
5. Explain the significance of antenatal care in reducing maternal mortality. (5 marks)
- Early Detection of Complications – hypertension, anemia, infections identified promptly.
- Health Education – nutrition, birth planning, danger signs taught to mothers.
- Immunisation & Prophylaxis – tetanus toxoid, malaria prophylaxis reduce maternal risk.
- Antenatal Screening – HIV, syphilis, diabetes screened to enable treatment.
- Birth Preparedness – plan for skilled delivery and emergency transport, lowering mortality.
6. Name five methods of solid waste disposal used in communities. (5 marks)
- Open Dumping – uncontrolled disposal in open pits or land.
- Sanitary Landfill – engineered sites with liners and leachate control.
- Incineration – high‑temperature burning of waste to reduce volume.
- Composting – biological decomposition of organic waste.
- Recycling/Reuse – collection and processing of materials for new use.
7. What is disease eradication, and how does it differ from disease elimination? (5 marks)
- Disease eradication: permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence of an infection caused by a specific pathogen; no further control measures required.
- Disease elimination: reduction to zero of the incidence of a disease in a defined geographic area; continued surveillance and occasional interventions are needed to prevent re‑introduction.
- Eradication is a global goal; elimination is regional or national.
- Eradication requires a tool that provides long‑lasting immunity or complete interruption of transmission (e.g., vaccine, vector control). Elimination may rely on ongoing case‑finding and treatment.
- Once eradicated, the pathogen no longer exists in nature (e.g., smallpox). After elimination, the pathogen can still exist elsewhere (e.g., malaria in many countries).
8. Define an epidemic and distinguish it from a pandemic. (5 marks)
- Epidemic: an increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a given population and time period.
- Occurs in a specific community, region, or country.
- Usually sudden onset and limited duration.
- Pandemic: an epidemic that has spread across several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people.
- Involves sustained community transmission in multiple regions.
- Typically caused by a novel pathogen or a strain to which the population has little immunity.