Which of the following is correct about hard-to-control risk factors of infection?

• A. Climate change can increase the risk of direct cross-species transmission by forcing animal migration.
• B. The risk of infections for individuals with chronic diseases is the same as healthy individuals.
• C. Healthcare workers have a higher risk of infection than people in other professions.
• D. Lack of sleep and chronic stress increase the likelihood of infection by weakening the immune system.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what 'hard-to-control risk factors' means in the context of infections. These are factors that individuals have limited ability to change or influence directly, such as environmental or occupational exposures.
2. Step 2: Analyze each statement to determine if it represents a hard-to-control risk factor. For example, climate change and animal migration are environmental factors beyond individual control, so they fit this category.
3. Step 3: Consider the statement about chronic diseases. Since chronic diseases affect the immune system, individuals with these conditions generally have a higher risk of infection compared to healthy individuals, so the risk is not the same.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the statement about healthcare workers. Their profession exposes them to infectious agents more frequently, which is a risk factor related to occupation and often considered hard to control due to the nature of their work environment.
5. Step 5: Review the statement about lack of sleep and chronic stress. These are lifestyle factors that can be modified, so they are considered controllable risk factors rather than hard-to-control ones.