Secondary Prophylaxis Among First Nations People With Acute Rheumatic Fever in Australia: An Integrative Review

Kerissa Govender, Amanda Müller

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
99 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among Australia’s First Nations populations are some of the highest in the world, accounting for 95% of the 2,244 ARF notifications between 2015 and 2019 in Australia. A key issue in treating ARF is long-term secondary prophylaxis, yet only one in five patients received treatment in 2019. This review identifies barriers to secondary prophylaxis of ARF in Australia’s First Nations people. 

Methods: An integrative review was undertaken utilizing PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Wiley Online. Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used, followed by thematic analysis. 

Results: The key themes uncovered included: issues with database and recall systems, patient/family characteristics, service delivery location and site, pain of injection, education (including language barriers), and patient-clinician relationship. 

Conclusions: A national RHD register, change in operation model, improved pain management, improved education, and need for consistent personnel is suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)443-452
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Transcultural Nursing
Volume34
Issue number6
Early online date12 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • acute rheumatic fever
  • indigenous peoples
  • rheumatic heart disease
  • secondary prevention

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