The document discusses the natural history of a disease and the three levels of disease prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The natural history refers to the progression of a disease over time without treatment, from preclinical changes through clinical symptoms to potential recovery or death. Primary prevention aims to prevent disease from occurring through actions like immunizations, health education, and environmental controls. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection through screening and prompt treatment to prevent progression or complications. Tertiary prevention begins after illness and aims to limit disability and support rehabilitation through measures like prosthetics, support groups, and palliative care.

1. NATURAL HISTORY OF A
DISEASE
MRS SIMPANZYE
Lecture 2
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2. NATURAL HISTORY OF A DISEASE
•Definition
•Natural history of a disease refers to
systematic description of the course of
disease over time, un affected by
treatment.
•The course and outcome of disease in
individuals and groups
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3. Cont
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Good
Health
Subclinical
Changes
Clinical
changes
DEATH
RECOVERY

4. • During the susceptible phase, risk factors are only present.
• During the preclinical or pre symptomatic phase, the biological
process of the disease has started.
• There are some physical manifestations, but NO obvious disease is
present
• In the clinical disease phase, signs and symptoms of diseases are
present.
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5. PRIMARY PREVENTION OF A DISEASE
• These are actions that removes the possibility that a disease will
occur.
• Actions precedes disease or dysfunction(the individuals /population
are health)
• Generalized health promotion and specific protection against diseases
• The activities are both preventive and promotive
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6. Examples of primary privation
•Health education about accidents and
poisoning prevention,standared of
nutrition and growth and development
for each stage of life, exercise
requirements ,stress management
,protection against occupational
hazards,etc
•Immunizations
•Risk assessment for disease
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7. • Family planning services and marriage counseling
• Environmental sanitation and provision of adequate
housing,recreation,and work conditions
• Removal of any noxious Agents (Toxic agents)in the environment or
any agents in the environment that would cause disease-refuse
disposal.
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8. •Preventing agents from
being in contact with the
host e.g., mosquito nets- to
prevent infected
mosquitoes.
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9. Secondary prevention
• This is pre clinical / clinical disease stage.
• It emphasize on early detection/ diagnosis, prompt treatment/
intervention and health maintenance for individuals experiencing
health problems.
• Measures are aimed at people who have a disease.
• It includes, prevention of progression of a clinical disease(
halt),prevention of complications and disabilities.
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10. •Reduces disease
prevalence
•Level of curative stage to
prevent disability( happens
in district hospitals )
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11. Examples of secondary prevention
•Screening surveys-R.P.R
•Screening tests e.g. early screening
and treatment for T.B. to prevent
chronocity. Stool for m/c/s to rule
out worms.
•Encouraging medical and dental
check ups
•Teaching self - examination for
breast and testicular cancer
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12. Tertiary prevention
• This is the level of disability limitation and rehabilitation .
• It begins after an illness, when a defect or disability is fixed,
stabilized , or irreversible .
• Usually a point of NO RETURN
• Its focus is to help rehabilitate individuals and restore them optimum
level of functioning within the constraints of disability to try to
prevent
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13. •Hopelessness
•Helplessness
•Workelessness
•Dependence
•Suicidal tendencies
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14. Examples of tertiary prevention
• Should be helped or request help from clubs
• Referring a client who has had a colostomy to a support group
• Use of prosthesis for amputees and also change hobbies e.g. from
golfer to dart player
• Palliative care of terminally ill patients to prevent undignified or
painful death
• Rehabilitation by- Retraining remaining capacities-retrain maximal
independence including employment.
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15. Thank you
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