What do infection control strategies aim to prevent?

Infection control strategies are primarily designed to prevent the spread of diseases and to protect the health of individuals and communities. These strategies include various practices such as hand hygiene, vaccination, isolation of infected individuals, and use of personal protective equipment. Their goal is to break the chain of infection and reduce the number of new infections, thereby safeguarding public health.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary objectives of infection control strategies. Increased antibiotic use, for example, might actually contribute to antibiotic resistance—an unintended consequence that can complicate infection control. Similarly, promoting the reduction of hygiene practices runs contrary to the principles of infection control, which emphasize the importance of maintaining proper hygiene to minimize infection risks. Lastly, while social disturbances can impact public health indirectly, they do not relate to the specific aims of infection control, which focus on managing and preventing infectious diseases.