Journal article
Secondary prevention for screening detected rheumatic heart disease: opportunities to improve adherence
Daniel Engelman, Maureen Ah Kee, Reapi L Mataika, Joseph H Kado, Samantha M Colquhoun, Jim Tulloch, Andrew C Steer
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | OXFORD UNIV PRESS | Published : 2017
Abstract
Background: Secondary prevention is an effective treatment for rheumatic heart disease (RHD), but ensuring high adherence to prophylaxis over many years is challenging and requires understanding of local factors. Methods: Participants were young people diagnosed with RHD through echocardiographic screening in Fiji. We used a structured interview to evaluate the following: health seeking behaviours; attitudes, practice, barriers and potential improvement strategies for adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis; and adolescent-friendly qualities of the health service. Results: One hundred and one participants were interviewed (median age, 17.2 years). Adherence was very low overall (adequate in 6%)...
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Funding Acknowledgements
This project was supported by Cure Kids New Zealand. Authors were supported by fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia (to DE, SMC and ACS); the National Heart Foundation of Australia (to DE and ACS) and the University of Melbourne Nossal Global Scholars program (to DE). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.