Simple sore throat can lead to serious damage to the heart valves

A simple sore throat from a bacterial streptococcal infection can lead to serious damage to the heart valves, a condition known as RHD. It mainly affects children and young adults with poor living conditions and limited access to health care. In Namibia, which was studied for the thesis, it is estimated that about 1% of the population lives with RHD.

In our research, we have reviewed health records from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and the Department of Cardiology for the years 2010 to 2020. We also interviewed patients with RHD at the cardiology clinic between 2019 and 2020 to understand how RHD affects them. Furthermore, we have reviewed international studies to assess the effectiveness of different prevention strategies that have been evaluated."

Panduleni Penipawa Shimanda, dissertation author, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health

Main findings of the study suggest that there is poor documentation and detection of people with RHD in Namibia.

"From a survey of patients, we could see that treatment of RHD means that people can live a good life. Another observation is that there are few preventive interventions that have been evaluated worldwide. Our findings also suggest that school-based screening to detect early symptoms such as sore throat and RHD at an early stage is likely to be cost-effective".

Overall, RHD was observed in children and young adults in Namibia's northern regions, possibly due to living conditions and access to medical care.

To improve the situation in Namibia and other countries, ministries of health and health organizations need to work together for better data collection practices, raise awareness of RHD among families and health professionals, and ensure early detection and treatment. Incorporating RHD services into existing health care programs, such as for maternal and child health care, can save resources.

"This is important in countries like Namibia, where RHD prevention is limited. Prevention of RHD can save young lives, and for this we need to find efficient and effective strategies," says Panduleni Penipawa Shimanda.

The dissertation will take place on 26 April 2024, 09.00. Thesis title: Rheumatic heart disease in Namibia: Evaluation of the burden and cost-effectiveness of a prevention strategy. Opponent Phillip Moons, KU Leuven, Belgium.