Findings about the Knowledge and Experiences of Children and their Parents Participating in the Second Prevention Programme of Rheumatic Fever at the Vietnam National Heart Institute

Background: Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease are still significant causes of cardiovascular diseases in the world today. The most devastating effects are in children and young adults in their most productive age. The children's and their parents' role of participation is very important for maintaining implemented prevention of RF.

Objectives: To describe experiences and knowledge from RF in children and their parents while the children are treated in The Second Prevention Programme (TSPP) of RF at the Vietnam National Heart Institute.

Methods: Twenty children (10-17 years), who were continuously treated in TSPP, and their parents, were interviewed to express knowledge and experiences about RF. The children were divided in two groups: Children Group 1 treated for less than five years and Children Group 2 treated for more than five years. The parents of the children were also invited to participate in the study in two Parent Groups. A quantitative and qualitative method was used to the interviews.

Results: Only five children had knowledge of the immunization mechanism in the pathogenesis of RF. None of the children or parents knew about erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules symptoms or C-reactive protein test. The parents and the children, who were treated for less than five years, had less knowledge and experiences of carditis , polyarthritis, arthralgia, throat culture for Streptococcus A, Anti-Streptolysin O test, electrocardiography. Most of the children and the parents used direct consultation, medical books and television programs to search for information regarding the disease.

Discussion: The children and their parents were missing a lot of knowledge. The parents and their children, who were treated for less than five years, had less knowledge and experiences about RF than the parents and their children, who were treated for more than five years.