Child and teacher acceptability of school-based echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease in Uganda

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Ploutz ◽  
Twalib Aliku ◽  
Tyler Bradley-Hewitt ◽  
Andrea Dantin ◽  
Bethan Lemley ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionRheumatic heart disease causes substantial morbidity in children in low-income countries. School-based echocardiographic screening has been suggested as a means to identify children with latent disease; however, little is known about the experience of children and teachers participating in screenings. The aim of our study was to assess students’ and teachers’ experience of school-based echocardiographic screening and identify areas for improvement.Materials and methodsA school-based echocardiographic screening programme was conducted in five schools in Northern Uganda in 2013. After 8 months, an age- and gender-stratified population that included 5% of the participating students and teachers completed a questionnaire via an in-person interview. Responses were reviewed by question and coded to identify key themes.ResultsA total of 255 students (mean 10.7 years; 48% male) and 35 teachers participated in our study. In total, 95% of the students and 100% of the teachers were happy to have participated in the screening; however, students reported feeling scared (35%) and nervous (48%) during the screening process. Programmatic strengths included the following: knowing one’s health status, opportunity to receive treatment, and staff interactions. Although 43% of the patients did not suggest a change with open-ended questioning, concerns regarding privacy, fear of the screening process, and a desire to include others in the community were noted.DiscussionSchool-based echocardiographic rheumatic heart disease screening was well received by students and teachers. Future programmes would likely benefit from improved pre-screening education regarding the screening process and diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Furthermore, education of teachers and students could improve screening perception and establish realistic expectations regarding the scope of screening.

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno R Nascimento ◽  
Andrea Z Beaton ◽  
Graziela Chequer ◽  
Kaciane K Bruno ◽  
Cassio O Miri ◽  
...  

Introduction: Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Lack of public awareness of the causes and prevention of RHD limit the efficacy of primary and secondary prevention programs. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of knowledge transfer that results from a structured public-school educational program on RHD. Methods: A prospective, cohort study was conducted over 7 months (9/2014-3/2015) in 5 randomly selected low-income public schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All enrolled and present students received education. A nurse and an imaging technician utilized two custom structured educational curriculums, targeting children in grades 6 - 11 (aged 11-17). Pre-tests, taken immediately prior to educational curriculum queried students’ knowledge of the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of RHD. Post-tests, 1-3 weeks following education assessed the efficacy of knowledge transfer and retention. Results: The educational curriculum was delivered to 3200 students. One-third of these (1025) were randomly selected to participate in pre- and post-testing including 403 (39%) in 6th/7th grades (G1), 360 (35%) in 8th/9th (G2), and 261 (26%) of in 10th/11th grades (G3). The mean interval between pre-test and post-test was 10±10 days. Prior to the intervention, general knowledge regarding RHD was universally low (median score 46.7%, 40.0-60.0). Children in higher grades (G3) knew more about RHD than those in lower grades (60% vs. 40.0% G1/46.7% G2), p<0.001. Children showed significant gains in the post-test, raising the median score by 20 percent (60%, 40.0-73.3). Again, children in the higher grades showed higher overall scores (73%, 60.0-80.0 G3; 56.7%, 40.0-73.3 G2; 53.3%, 33.3-66.7 G1), p<0.001. However, the percent increase was similar between groups (6.8% G1, 6.8% G2, 8.5% G3), p=0.47. Conclusions: School-based RHD education resulted in consistent but modest gains in knowledge. Novel educational techniques and use of technology to engage young learners may lead to improved knowledge gains and retention. Further studies are needed to determine if increased knowledge leads to behavioral changes that could decrease the burden of RHD in LMIC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1408-1415
Author(s):  
Esin Nkereuwem ◽  
Olukemi O. Ige ◽  
Christopher Yilgwan ◽  
Modou Jobe ◽  
Annette Erhart ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
Manoj Shrestha ◽  
Prakash Aryal

INTRODUCTION Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major public health problem in developing countries. In low income countries RHD accounts for approximately 90% of all cardiovascular disease among pregnant women. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of RHD among reproductive age group women presenting to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Central Nepal. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective observational study was carried out in College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal from January 2019 to December 2019 by doing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) of reproductive age group females (n=800) from 15 years to 45 years of age. The data were collected in pre-structured proforma. RESULTS Out of 800 patients, RHD was present in 46 (5.75%) patients. The incidence of RHD was found to be highest in the age group of 30-35 years 13 (28.3%) and the mean age of presentation was 29.24 years. Mitral valve was the most common valve involvement and mitral regurgitation 37 (80.4%) was the most common valvular dysfunction present in patients with RHD. CONCLUSION The prevalence of RHD among reproductive age group female is high and mitral valve is the most commonly affected valve.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Vigna-Taglianti ◽  
I N Emelurumonye ◽  
L Donati ◽  
M Alesina ◽  
I Akanidomo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The UNODC with the collaboration of the Government implemented in Nigeria a large-scale project to promote healthy lifestyles in schools, families and communities. Within the project, the prevention program Unplugged was tested through a randomized controlled trial. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the program in the intervention schools and the satisfaction of teachers and students. Methods 32 schools were randomly extracted from a list of 60 schools provided by the Federal Ministry of Education. 16 schools were randomly allocated to intervention and implemented Unplugged. To monitor program implementation, the teachers filled a form reporting data on fidelity of implementation. To monitor satisfaction, teachers and students filled an anonymous form at the end of the program. Results 69% of intervention schools participated in the process evaluation. The duration of the units was on average 55 min. The implementation rate was very high. All classes implemented six units whilst less than 10% did not implement the other six units. The highest rate of not implementing classes was observed for unit 11 and 12. The highest student interest as declared by the teachers was observed for Unit 1 and 8, the highest interactivity for Unit 9 and 8. Most teachers found the units easy to lead and referred an improvement of teaching skills, knowledge about substances, relationship with the students and class climate, and found very useful the Teacher Handbook. Ninety percent of students considered Unplugged useful for their choices, for 82% it improved the vision of themselves, for 95% their knowledge, for 80% the relationship with mates and for 77% the relationship with teachers. 97.5% of students would like to have a similar program next year. Conclusions Unplugged reached in Nigeria very good results in terms of implementation and satisfaction of teachers and students. Process evaluation is useful to improve the quality of prevention interventions. Key messages School based prevention interventions like Unplugged can be successfully implemented in low income countries, especially when supported by printed Handbook for teachers. Teachers and students participating in Unplugged perceived an improvement of class climate and relationship between teachers and students due to the program.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Arifur Rahman ◽  
Afzalur Rahman ◽  
Syed Nasir Uddin ◽  
AKM Monwarul Islam ◽  
Tariq Ahmed Chowdhury ◽  
...  

In the 21st century, Rheumatic fever (RF) and Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are neglected diseases of marginalized communities. Globally, RHD remains the most-common cardiovascular disease in young people aged <25 years. Although RF and RHD have been almost eradicated in areas with established economies, migration from low-income to high-income settings might be responsible for a new burden of RHD in high-income countries. Globally, the prevalence of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has declined sharply but, in developing countries, RF is still aleading cause of heart disease and, consequently, death in children and young adults. In 2005, it was estimated that over 2.4 million children aged 5-14 years were having RHD globally and 79% of all these cases were from lessdeveloped countries.Cardiovasc. j. 2018; 10(2): 206-211


Global Heart ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e174
Author(s):  
A. Beaton ◽  
M.D.C.P. Nunes ◽  
K.B. Oliveira ◽  
A.L.P. Ribeiro ◽  
C.M. Oliveira ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e028908
Author(s):  
Jessica Abrams ◽  
David Watkins ◽  
Leila H Abdullahi ◽  
Mark E Engel ◽  
Liesl J Zuhlke

IntroductionRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable chronic condition affecting the valves of the heart. RHD prevention and care programmes have historically originated in more developed countries, implemented in a targeted (or vertical) manner and evaluated using non-controlled approaches. Taking a broad view of the integration of RHD activities within the whole system is critical for health planning in low-income regions with a high burden of RHD and less robust health systems. Therefore, we propose to conduct a systematic review to assess RHD programme models in order to gain a better understanding of the extent of integration within relevant health systems.Methods and analysisA predefined search strategy will be used to search for relevant articles published in English from January 1990 to December 2017. Electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Africa Wide, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar and Global Index Medicus will be searched, as well as reference lists of relevant articles published. A standardised data extraction form will be used to obtain information for analysis from the included studies. The quality, reliability and risk of bias of included studies will be assessed using design-specific criteria. Programme integration will be analysed according to stewardship and governance, financing, planning, service delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and demand generation. Programme inputs, outputs and impact will also be described.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approval is required. Findings will be disseminated in a peer-review journal in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017076307


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