ABSTRACT
THE NEW Zealand Government's allocation of $21 million in the 2013 Budget for treatment and prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) highlights the impact this disease has on the long-term health of New Zealand's marginalised communities. ARF is a disease confined largely to developing nations and is regarded in the developed world as a disease of deprivation and poverty, yet New Zealand has a high incidence, Largely within Maori and Pacific populations. ARF arises from an often mild throat infection caused by streptococcal bacteria. The mechanisms by which this microorganism triggers rheumatic fever and its cardiac sequelae are complex. Awareness of these mechanisms can help health professionals understand prevention and treatment strategies designed to reduce the burden of ARF in vulnerable communities.
Subject(s)
Education, Nursing, Continuing/methods , Rheumatic Fever/epidemiology , Rheumatic Fever/nursing , Child , Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data , Humans , New Zealand/epidemiology , Poverty Areas , Resource Allocation/methods , Resource Allocation/organization & administration , Risk Factors , Vulnerable PopulationsABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Community Health Nursing/standards , Medical Audit/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Evaluation Research/statistics & numerical data , Patient Compliance/statistics & numerical data , Rheumatic Fever/nursing , Rheumatic Fever/prevention & control , Child , Communicable Disease Control/economics , Community Health Nursing/statistics & numerical data , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , New Zealand , RegistriesABSTRACT
Acute rheumatic fever, often believed to have been eradicated, has shown an increase in prevalence and virulence within the past few years. This article discusses current epidemiology, assessment findings, medical treatment, and nursing interventions for the child with rheumatic fever. Principles of prevention and implications for health teaching are included.
