Profile of secondary prophylaxis among children with rheumatic heart disease in Alexandria, Egypt.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in specialist children's hospitals in Alexandria, which aimed to evaluate the current regimen of secondary prophylaxis for children suffering from rheumatic heart disease. Two-thirds of the patients had complied with their prophylactic regimen. Prophylactic failure occurred in one-third of the patients, raising doubts about the efficacy of the brands of penicillin prescribed. Recurrence of rheumatic fever was recorded in 37.3% of the patients, with semiruban or rural residence and non-compliance with secondary prophylaxis the significant risk factors. These unsatisfactory findings suggest the need for a more effective strategy of primary and secondary prophylaxis for controlling rheumatic fever in our community.
Bassili
A
A
Department of Medical Statistics, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
Zaher
S R
SR
Zaki
A
A
Abdel-Fattah
M
M
Tognoni
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data