Abstract 18513: School-based Rheumatic Heart Disease Education Results in Improved Knowledge - Data From the PROVAR Study

Introduction: Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Lack of public awareness of the causes and prevention of RHD limit the efficacy of primary and secondary prevention programs. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of knowledge transfer that results from a structured public-school educational program on RHD. Methods: A prospective, cohort study was conducted over 7 months (9/2014-3/2015) in 5 randomly selected low-income public schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All enrolled and present students received education. A nurse and an imaging technician utilized two custom structured educational curriculums, targeting children in grades 6 - 11 (aged 11-17). Pre-tests, taken immediately prior to educational curriculum queried students’ knowledge of the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of RHD. Post-tests, 1-3 weeks following education assessed the efficacy of knowledge transfer and retention. Re...