Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease among school children of Patna District in Eastern India and an insight into its prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20253484Keywords:
Acute rheumatic fever, Valvular heart disease, Morbidity, Secondary prophylaxisAbstract
Background: Bihar is considered as a ‘hot spot’ for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of RHD among school children in Patna district in Bihar.
Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in school children of Patna district.
Results: This study estimated that the prevalence of RHD was 1.06 per 1,000 among school children in Patna. None of the factors, including mother’s education, father's education, and family income, was a significant risk factor for its causation.
Conclusions: Considering the significant morbidity and mortality it causes, preventive measures at all levels, especially the secondary prevention, must be applied in any region to reduce the disease burden of RHD and its impact on society due to disease severity.
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References
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