PREVALENCE OF RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE AMONG SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN REGIONS OF SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

• Main Authors: Rudy Ngau, Ajeng, Md Mizanur, Rahman, Asri, Said, Mohamed Ameenudeen, Sultan, Greta Miranda Goh, Kim Choo, Muhammad Siddiq, Daud, Mohd Faiz, Gahamat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Public Health Physician's Association 2023
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/42654/3/PREVALENCE.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/42654/; http://mjphm.org/index.php/mjphm/article/view/1535
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a preventable chronic heart disease caused by rheumatic fever. RHD can result in complications and can even conclude in unexpected death at a young age. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RHD among the school-going age group in the Northern and Southern regions of Sarawak. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study in Samarahan and Kuching of the Southern Region and Miri of the Northern Region of Sarawak. The study population comprised school-going children within the divisions. The data on sociodemographic characteristics were collected through a questionnaire. At the same time, echocardiographic parameters were collected through a portable echocardiographic device. Cardiologists confirmed the abnormal cardiac findings. The overall prevalence of RHD was 14 per 1000 persons or 1.4%. Borderline RHD prevalence was 9 per 1000 persons or 0.9%, while the Definite RHD prevalence was 5 per 1000 persons or 0.5 %. With the prevalence obtained, more attention should be given to preventing this silent disease.