Levels of Prevention | Levels of Disease Prevention explained by Ashish Gaikwad

Levels of Disease Prevention

1. Primary Level:  An intervention implemented before there is evidence of a disease or injury.
 •Stage- Susceptibility
 •Characteristics- Risk factors & disease in the population.
 • Intent- Reduce or eliminate the causative risk factor (risk reduction)
 • Modes/Methods of intervention-
      i) Health Promotion
      ii) Specific Protection
       - Educate people/public, modify environment, promote healthy eating and physical activities.
       - Immunization

2. Secondary Level: An intervention implemented after a disease has began,but before it is symptomatic.
 •Stage- Sub-clinical
 •Characteristics- Exposure of individual to risk factors or disease and early pathologic change.
 •Intent- Early identification
 •Modes/Methods of intervention-
   i) Screening
  ii) Early Diagnosis
    - Diagnosis & evaluation, lifestyle and behavioural intervention
   - Medication
   Ex- Pap smear, measuring BP or vital signs in clinic.


3. Tertiary level: An intervention implemented after a disease or injury is established.
 •Stage- Clinical & Recover, disability or death
 •Characteristics- signs & symptoms noted or outcomes of clinical disease (death, disability or recovery)
 •Intent- Prevent sequelae (Stop bad things from getting worse)
 •Mode/methods of intervention-
             - Treatment & Rehabilitation
             - Administering medications
             - Providing several rehabilitative therapies, ex- speech, group or music therapy.

This is all about the levels of disease prevention.