Question

Which one of the following is NOT a characteristic of non-communicable disease?

• A. Well-defined etiological agent
• B. Multifactorial causation
• C. Long latent period
• D. Variable onset

Hint:

NCDs arise from many factors together, not one single fixed agent.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to pick the feature that does NOT describe non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension or cancer.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
NCDs and communicable diseases differ sharply in how they start and progress, and comparing the two groups picks out the odd feature.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Communicable diseases usually have one clear, well-defined causative agent, such as a specific bacterium or virus, which can be isolated and confirmed.
Non-communicable diseases, in contrast, arise from multiple interacting factors, genetic, environmental, behavioural and social, so no single agent explains them fully. This makes option (B), multifactorial causation, a true feature of NCDs, not the answer.
NCDs also typically have a long latent period between exposure to risk factors and the appearance of disease, for example years of smoking before lung cancer develops, so option (C) is a true feature, not the answer.
Onset of NCDs is variable, ranging from gradual (as in diabetes) to sudden (as in myocardial infarction), so option (D) is also a true feature, not the answer.
Since NCDs lack one single well-defined agent, option (A) describes communicable disease, not NCD, making it the correct choice for this "NOT" question.

Step 4: Final Answer:
A well-defined etiological agent is NOT a characteristic of non-communicable disease.
\[ \boxed{\text{Well-defined etiological agent}} \]