HEART HEALTH CHECK: SCREENING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FOR RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility and effectiveness of screening university students for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) as part of a broader public health initiative. RHD remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings, despite being largely preventable. The screening program targets university students due to their age group's susceptibility to RHD and the potential to intervene early in the disease progression. Through a combination of clinical assessments, echocardiography, and laboratory tests, students are evaluated for signs and symptoms of RHD. The findings shed light on the prevalence of RHD among university populations and the utility of targeted screening in identifying asymptomatic cases. This research contributes to the understanding of RHD epidemiology and informs strategies for early detection and intervention, thereby mitigating its burden on public health systems.