title: Asymptomatic rheumatic heart disease in South African schoolchildren: Implications for addressing chronic health conditions through a school health service.
abstract: When new evidence comes to light, it compels us to contemplate the implications of such evidence for health policy and practice. This article examines recent research evidence on the prevalence of asymptomatic rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in South Africa and considers the implications for the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP). RHD is still a major burden of disease in developing countries, and elimination of this preventable condition ranks high among World Heart Federation goals. If left untreated, it becomes a chronic health condition that individuals have to cope with into their adult lives. The ISHP regards the health needs of children with chronic health conditions, which include conditions such as RHD, as a key service component. However, the chronic health component of the ISHP is still poorly developed and can benefit from good evidence to guide implementation. A recent study to ascertain the prevalence of RHD in asymptomatic schoolchildren through mass screening affords an opportunity to reflect on whether, and how, asymptomatic chronic health conditions in schoolchildren could be addressed, and what the implications would be if this were done through a school-based programme such as the ISHP.
authors: Health Policy and Systems Division, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. maylene.shungking@uct.ac.za.
authors: Maylene
authors: M
authors: Shung-King
authors: Liesel
authors: L
authors: Zühlke
authors: Mark E
authors: ME
authors: Engel
authors: Bongani M
authors: BM
authors: Mayosi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015995:Prevalence; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology