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Cardiovascular Journal of Africa • ABSTRACTS – SA HEART
®
CONGRESS 2019
S45
AFRICA
profile had higher odds (p<0.020) of obesity (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15 - 2.91), low HDL cholesterol (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.22), hypertension (OR 5.36, 95% CI 3.21
- 7.55), cardiac stress (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99 - 1.02), ischaemic events (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00 - 1.11) and 10-year stroke probability (OR 4.17, 95% CI 2.58 - 6.32).
Conclusion:
Irrespective of age, race and/or gender, an alpha-adrenergic acute stress response profile was associated with an increased risk of cardio-
metabolic and ischaemic risk factors. Clinical implications suggest that an alpha-adrenergic stress response may, in itself, be a risk factor for CVD.
Infective endocarditis in infants and children in theWestern Cape, South Africa
Mark Willoughby
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Rondebosch, South Africa
Introduction:
Infective endocarditis is a microbial infection of the endothelial surface of the heart, predominantly the heart valves, that is associated with
high mortality and morbidity. Limited contemporary data exist regarding affected children in our context. Therefore, we aimed to describe the profile and
treatment outcomes of infant and childhood endocarditis at our facilities.
Methods:
This is a retrospective review of infants and children with endocarditis at 2 public-sector hospitals in the Western Cape province of
South Africa over a 5-year period. Patients with definite and possible endocarditis, according to Modified Duke Criteria, were included in the review.
Results:
Forty-nine patients were identified for inclusion; 64% of patients met definite and 36% possible criteria. The in-hospital mortality rate was 20%, 53%
of patients underwent surgery with a post-operative mortality rate of 7.7%. The median interval from diagnosis to surgery was 20 days (interquartile range
9 - 47 days). Valve replacement occurred in 28% and valve repair in 58%. There was a significant reduction in valvular dysfunction in patients who underwent
surgery and only a marginal improvement in patients treated medically. Overall, 43% of patients had some degree of residual valvular dysfunction.
Conclusion:
Endocarditis is a serious disease with a high in-hospital mortality and it presents challenges in the making of an accurate diagnosis. Despite a
significant reduction in valvular dysfunction, a portion of patients had residual valvular dysfunction. Early surgery is associated with a lower mortality rate, but
a higher rate of valve replacement, when compared to delayed surgery.
Impact of rheumatic heart disease educational jingles on knowledge and attitudes of the lay public in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Christopher Yilgwan*, Fidelia Bode-Thomas*, Olukemi Ige*, Cornelius Gofung*, Santos Ayuba Larab
#
and Mary Aliu-Chatta
†
*University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
#
Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
†
Heart Aid Trust plc., Jos, Nigeria
Introduction:
Although rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is highly preventable, it remains a major health problem in many countries. Raising public awareness
about RHD could help reduce its burden. We sought to evaluate the impact of educational jingles about RHD on the knowledge base of
the lay public in Jos metropolis.
Methods:
To field-test educational jingles developed as part of the “Kick RHD out of Plateau State”Project, we administered a simple questionnaire
to respondents comprising 10 multiple choice questions assessing knowledge and attitudes regarding sore throats, rheumatic fever and RHD, before and
after listening to a jingle in any of 3 languages (English, Hausa or Berom). Pre- and post-test scores were compared using the paired t-test, whilst scores
between and within language groups were compared using the ANOVA or the student t-test.
Results:
Of 147 respondents, the majority (104, 70.7%) were females (p<0.001). Fifty-seven (38%), 44 (29.9%) and 46 (31.3%) respondents listened to the
English, Hausa and Berom jingles, respectively. The overall mean pre-test score of 3.48 (± 1.82) did not differ significantly according to language (p=0.72)
or gender (p=0.1). The overall mean post-test score of 5.76 (± 2.61) was also similar between genders (p=0.59) and language groups (p=0.26) but was
significantly higher than the pre-test scores, both overall and by language group (p<0.0001 in each case).
Conclusion:
The educational jingles had a significant impact on the knowledge base of the sample population and could therefore be a vital tool in raising
lay public awareness in the fight against RHD.
The “Kick Rheumatic Heart Disease out of Plateau State” project
Christopher Yilgwan*, Fidelia Bode-Thomas*, Olukemi Ige*, Cornelius Gofung*, Santos Ayuba Larab
#
and Mary Aliu-Chatta
†
*University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
#
Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
†
Heart Aid Trust plc., Jos, Nigeria
Introduction:
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a major health problem in Nigeria. It is, however, not formally recognised as a public health priority. RHD
prevention and control efforts could be greatly enhanced if appropriate educational and advocacy tools were made available. We set out to produce
culturally relevant information, education and communication materials (IECMs) targeted at the lay public and patients/families with RHD, in 3 languages
(Berom, English and Hausa).
Methods:
Advocacy visits to key stakeholders, including community leaders, the State Ministry of Health (MoH), media organisations and health workers, to
mobilise support for the project were undertaken. Patients with RHD and their families were mobilised during routine clinic visits or via telephone calls. Focus
group discussions (FGDs), aimed at identifying misconceptions/knowledge gaps regarding sore throat and RHD, were conducted in the 3 languages amongst
RHD patients/family members and in 2 local communities to ensure these were addressed in the proposed IECMs. A team of cardiologists worked with
other health care professionals (HCP) to draft a training manual containing key messages to be conveyed via the IECMs. The project team worked with media
practitioners to produce the IECMs and field-testing was done to evaluate their acceptability and impact on the target populations.
Results:
Posters and educational leaflets were developed in English and Hausa, while audio jingles were produced in Berom, English and Hausa. Preliminary
field-testing showed significant differences in pre- and post-test scores in terms of knowledge about RHD.
Conclusion:
Culturally appropriate educational materials can be useful in disseminating information and improving knowledge about RHD.