Structured review of primary interventions to reduce group A streptococcal infections, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Abstract

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a large, preventable, global public health burden. In New Zealand (NZ), acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD rates are highest for Māori and Pacific children. This structured review explores the evidence for primary prevention interventions to diagnose and effectively treat group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and skin infections to reduce rates of ARF and RHD. Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched as well as other electronic publications. Included were 50 publications from 1980 onwards. This review has identified that there is little available evidence for effective primary prevention strategies to reduce ARF rates in NZ. However, two primary ..