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We developed a questionnaire-based risk-scoring system to identify children at risk for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in rural India. The resulting predictive model was validated in Nepal, in a population with a similar demographic profile to rural India. We found that this questionnaire-based predictive instrument could identify children at higher risk for this disease in low-income countries where RHD remains prevalent. Echocardiography could then be used in these high-risk children to detect RHD in its early stages. This may support a strategy for more effective secondary prophylaxis of RHD.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AWARENESS AND RISK ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLTEACHERS IN CALCUTTA, INDIA
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India, surpassing all infectious causes. Early awareness of CVD and its risk factors and adoption of heart healthy lifestyle practices are crucial to reducing the impact of CVD in the community. We surveyed 4,150 schoolteachers from 400 schools in Calcutta during 2019 using a questionnaire assessing their awareness of CVD in five domains: prevalence, spectrum of CVD, its nature, risk factors, and benefits of a heart healthy lifestyle.
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. Awareness among children in rural India about RHD was 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.
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) still remains a public health concern in different parts of the developing world. Early detection is the key to prevent its long-term complications and to reduce the morbidity and mortality related to this disease. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 13 schools in the Dhading district of Nepal in August, 2018. The objective was to find the prevalence of RHD in students who had complaints of both recurrent sore throat and joint pain and compare with those who had either or none of these symptoms. This abstract was virtually presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting which was scheduled to be held in Chicago in March, 2020.
India is going through a major economic and epidemiological transition, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as the leading cause of death in India. As India has a population of 1.3 billion and two-thirds below 35 years, CVD has emerged as a major challenge. Our study assessed the level of health awareness of CVD in school-aged children (10 to 16 years) and evaluated the effect of a brief educational intervention in enhancing the level of awareness with a goal of developing a school-based health education program. The study was conducted in August 2018 and involved a pre-evaluation of CVD health awareness, a short presentation on CVD, and a post-evaluation of CVD health awareness. This abstract was presented at the American Heart Association EPI | Lifestyle conference in Phoenix in March, 2020
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is prevalent in low income countries, with a regional prevalence in South Asia of 2.2 per 1,000 children aged 10-16 years. Awareness among school children is very important for seeking effective secondary prophylaxis. We studied the current level of awareness in school-aged children and evaluated the effect of a 7-item questionnaire-based survey in improving awareness of RHD. This abstract was presented at the American Heart Association EPI | Lifestyle conference in Houston in March, 2019.
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), if detected early, can benefit from secondary prevention to reduce long term complications, morbidity, and mortality. However, there are no national screening programs to detect RHD in resource-limited countries. We propose to develop a symptom-based screening tool which may help self-referral to increase the early diagnosis of RHD in school children. The objectives were to assess the prevalence of RHD in school children in rural India and to develop an effective symptom-based screening tool for self-referral. This abstract was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Chicago in November, 2018.
India is the second most populous country in the world and two-thirds of its population is less than 35 years old. This survey was conducted to assess the level of health awareness of cardiovascular disease in adolescent school-aged children 14-16 years old, with the goal of establishing school-based health education and development of heart-healthy lifestyle practices.
INADEQUATE INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
An editorial written by Shanthi Mendis, World Health Organization expert, about our Cardiovascular Health Awareness paper.