In Leavell's model of prevention, TB baseline testing for healthcare personnel is an example of which level of prevention?

• A. Primary
• B. Secondary
• C. Tertiary
• D. Quaternary

Answer: (B)

Secondary prevention focuses on finding disease early in people who feel well and intervening to prevent progression or spread. TB baseline testing for healthcare personnel screens asymptomatic individuals to see if they have latent TB infection. If infection is detected, preventive treatment can stop it from becoming active TB and reduce transmission to others. This is a classic use of screening to enable early intervention before symptoms develop or disease progresses. Primary prevention would aim to stop infection from occurring in the first place (like PPE and environmental controls), while tertiary prevention targets those with established disease to prevent complications. Quaternary isn’t part of the original levels.