The Echocardiographic Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in North Kordofan and Initiation of a Control Program

Abstract

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important public health problem in Sudan and the most common cause of heart disease in the young in developing countries. Echocardiography (echo) can be done to detect early RHD using small hand held echo (HHE) machines. This study aims to measure the echo prevalence of RHD, initiate treatment and prophylaxis, conduct health awareness and training of health personnel in North Kordofan. ______________________________ Corresponding author Sulafa KM Ali Email: sulafaali2000@gmail.com Methods: A medical campaign was conducted in North Kordofan (Umbadir and Sodari localities) in the period February 14-24/2017. Subjects 5-40 years of age were invited to come for screening which was done using HHE. Echo diagnosis of RHD was based on modified World Heart Federation criteria. Simultaneously, health awareness sessions and training workshops for health personnel were carried out. Results: In the study period, 3315 people were screened by HHE, 204 subjects were found to have RHD giving a prevalence of 61.5/1000. Definite RHD was found in 133 and borderline RHD in 71 subjects. Female to male ratio was 1.2:1, the most common age group was 11-30 years (63%). Fourteen