ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rheumatic fever with ensuing rheumatic heart disease is considered to be a preventable chronic disease. AIM: To assess the compliance rates with the rheumatic fever secondary prophylaxis programme established through the Auckland Rheumatic Fever Register and managed by community nursing services in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS: An audit of the 1998 and 2000 Auckland Rheumatic Fever Register data was undertaken to establish the compliance rates of patients with the rheumatic fever secondary prophylaxis programme. The sample included all patients on the Auckland Rheumatic Fever Register during this time. RESULTS: Results showed compliance rates across the three Auckland DHBs ranging from 79.9% to 100% for individual community nursing offices. CONCLUSION: A community-based nurse-led secondary prophylaxis programme for Rheumatic Fever heart disease is able to deliver excellent patient compliance levels. Secondary prophylaxis is the WHO-recommended cost effective first step to Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease control. Community health workers have a key role to play in facilitating this compliance.
