title: A Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Planning RHD Control Programs in Limited Resource Settings.
abstract: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important cause of disability and death in low- and middle-income countries. However, evidence-based interventions have not been implemented systematically in many countries. We present a RHD Needs Assessment Tool (NAT) that can be used at country or regional levels to systematically develop and plan comprehensive RHD control programs and to provide baseline data for program monitoring and evaluation. The RHD NAT follows a mixed-methods approach using quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments. Evidence is mapped to a conceptual model that follows a patient through the natural history of RHD. The NAT has 4 phases: 1) situational assessment; 2) facility-based assessment of epidemiology and health system capacity; 3) patient and provider experience of RHD using ethnographic methods; and 4) intervention planning, including stakeholder mapping and development of a monitoring and evaluation framework. The RHD NAT is designed to paint a comprehensive picture of RHD care in an endemic setting and to identify the major gaps to disseminating and implementing evidence-based interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: liesl.zuhlke@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Liesl J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zühlke
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.affiliation: Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wyber
authors.affiliation: World Heart Federation, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mwangi
authors.affiliation: World Heart Federation, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Markbreiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Hlengiwe S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Moloi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thembikile
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shato
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Tayla
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hermanus
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jantina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeVries
authors.affiliation: Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Clancy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Read
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*