A questionnaire survey for improving awareness of rheumatic heart disease among school-aged children in India

Abstract

Objectives We examined the level of awareness about Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) among school-aged children in a rural district of India and evaluated the effects of a questionnaire-based survey in improving the level of awareness. Methods The study involved 8,646 students aged 10–16 years from 20 schools in West Midnapore, India which was conducted in August 2017. We examined changes in the level of awareness of RHD using a 29-point scoring system in seven domains. The baseline questionnaire survey assessed students’ knowledge and was followed by a multimedia presentation about RHD and a post-intervention survey using the same questionnaire. The questionnaire included 9 questions on different aspects of RHD including prevalence, nature of disease, symptoms, determinants, treatment options, impact of the disease and diagnosis. Results The mean age of the study population was 13 years and 46% were boys. At baseline, the mean level of knowledge about RHD was 42% (12.2 out of 29 points). After the school-based presentation, the score improved to a mean of 55% (15.9 points on the 29-point scale), a 31% relative improvement. Improvement in students' knowledge was noted across all seven domains, individually and combined ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Awareness among children in rural India about RHD is modest. A school-based intervention could help in improving awareness about this chronic condition and may promote secondary prophylaxis to reduce the morbidity and mortality from RHD.

Manejo da febre reumática e da doença cardíaca reumática em crianças e adolescentes na atualidade

“…Aliado a isso, o conhecimento inadequado sobre a DCR continua sendo uma barreira importante para a prevenção efetiva dessa doença. Diversos parâmetros podem influenciar nesse contexto, como preconceitos, crenças sociais e culturais, baixos níveis educacionais do país e baixas condições socioeconômicas (Ray et al, 2020).…”

“…Dentre os fatores citados como predisponentes para a FR aguda, estão: condições socioeconômicas deficitárias, subnutrição, superlotação, contato pessoal próximo e acesso precário aos serviços de saúde (Gapu et al, 2015;Ray et al, 2020). Beaton et al (2012) descreveu, após estudo transversal conduzido em Uganda, que crianças de menor nível socioeconômico tiveram taxas significativamente mais altas de DCR possível, provável e definitiva.…”

“…Entretanto, em países subdesenvolvidos, a FR aguda continua sendo uma importante causa de doenças cardíacas, especialmente em regiões com recursos limitados (Gapu et al, 2015;Negi et al, 2018). Ray et al (2020) descreveu que uma breve intervenção educacional foi modestamente eficaz em aumentar o conhecimento dos alunos sobre DCR -melhora geral de 31%. A conscientização de crianças em idade escolar, através de programas educacionais é importante, pois a educação em saúde pode facilitar a detecção precoce da doença, além de abordar os diferentes fatores de risco envolvidos (Ray et al, 2020).…”

Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Saudi Arabia

“…However, recent evidence from Cameroon suggests that the population lacks knowledge about all aspects of RHD and its treatment [ 12 ]. An Indian study of school-aged children's awareness of RHD also found the level of awareness to be modest [ 13 ]. Moreover, a survey of housewives showed that the majority of mothers required more education regarding acute RF symptoms, complications, routes of infection, and prevention [ 14 ].…”