Parental Knowledge and Participation in the Management of Children with Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease
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Date
2014
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:-RHD is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in developing countries with prevalence being highest in sub-Saharan countries. It follows throat infection by Group A β hemolytic streptococcal infection. The high prevalence in these countries, including Ethiopia, could be attributed to the low socioeconomic status, overcrowding, poor health seeking attitude during early illness. And even after first diagnosis of Rheumatic fever/RHD there is a tendency to have a poor adherence to monthly bezantine penicillin which increases the risk of rheumatic recurrence and the severity of carditis. Objective:-to assess the understanding and participation of parents/guardians about the nature and prognosis of their children’s cardiac illness and to assess the degree of their involvement in the management of their children. Methodology and material:-A quantitative, descriptive cross sectional study was done to assess knowledge of parents/guardian about the nature and prognosis of their children’s cardiac illness and the extent of their participation in the management process. The study was conducted at the pediatric cardiac clinic of the Addis Ababa University hospital (Tikur Anbessa hospital). A structured, standardized and pretested questionnaire, which contains 35 questions, was used to assess 206 parents during the period from September 2013 to February 2014. Results: -All parents answered the interview questions. The mean age of the attendants was 38 years with M: F ratio being 2.3:1.Half (51%) of the parents had educational level of elementary school and above. From the parents interviewed 91 % reported the child has heart disease and 18 % knew about the etiology, two parents (0.9%) knew about the chronicity of the disease and fourteen (6.8%) parents knew about the possibility of recurrence of the disease. When we look at the habit of reporting the problems faced during follow-up 21% reported their problems and 68% of the parents who reported found a solution. In this study attendant’s educational level was significantly associated with parental knowledge about the disease and participation in the management of their child. Conclusion: - While most parents know that their child has heart disease, parental knowledge of etiology, chronicity, possibility of recurrence and ultimate therapy was limited. So, intensified education and awareness programs are needed in order to prevent potential major morbidity and mortality for pediatric patients with Rheumatic heart disease.
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Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease