{"title":"Physicians' knowledge and adherence to Centor Criteria for preventing acute rheumatic fever in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Mohammed Shaikhomer, Jumana Hussain Timraz, Nada Yasser Metwali, Fathima Shamma Bava, Zainab Yusuf, Ruqayyah Ali Ahmed, Husna Irfan Thalib, Syeda Nafeesa Hashim","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0397","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed autoimmune complication of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis and remains a significant public health concern in regions such as Saudi Arabia. Timely treatment with antibiotics guided by the Centor criteria can prevent ARF, yet adherence to these recommended guidelines remains inconsistent among physicians in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and adherence of physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to the Centor criteria in managing streptococcal pharyngitis as a strategy to prevent ARF. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 physicians across various specialties. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate their adherence and awareness. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, with chi-square tests to assess the significance (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Only 40% of physicians reported consistent use of the Centor criteria. Female and non-Saudi physicians demonstrated higher rates of adherence. The most compliant were consultants (42.8%), while ENT and family medicine departments demonstrated better adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines. Additionally, physicians with over 15 years of experience demonstrated significantly greater adherence than their less experienced counterparts. Significant gaps were identified in the adherence to the Centor criteria, which were influenced by professional roles and demographic factors. Promoting adherence to national guidelines and standardizing training is crucial for improving ARF prevention in Saudi Arabia.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"18 5","pages":"449-454"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12207700/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Medicine and Life","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2024-0397","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed autoimmune complication of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis and remains a significant public health concern in regions such as Saudi Arabia. Timely treatment with antibiotics guided by the Centor criteria can prevent ARF, yet adherence to these recommended guidelines remains inconsistent among physicians in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and adherence of physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to the Centor criteria in managing streptococcal pharyngitis as a strategy to prevent ARF. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 physicians across various specialties. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate their adherence and awareness. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, with chi-square tests to assess the significance (P < 0.05). Only 40% of physicians reported consistent use of the Centor criteria. Female and non-Saudi physicians demonstrated higher rates of adherence. The most compliant were consultants (42.8%), while ENT and family medicine departments demonstrated better adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines. Additionally, physicians with over 15 years of experience demonstrated significantly greater adherence than their less experienced counterparts. Significant gaps were identified in the adherence to the Centor criteria, which were influenced by professional roles and demographic factors. Promoting adherence to national guidelines and standardizing training is crucial for improving ARF prevention in Saudi Arabia.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Medicine and Life publishes peer-reviewed articles from various fields of medicine and life sciences, including original research, systematic reviews, special reports, case presentations, major medical breakthroughs and letters to the editor. The Journal focuses on current matters that lie at the intersection of biomedical science and clinical practice and strives to present this information to inform health care delivery and improve patient outcomes. Papers addressing topics such as neuroprotection, neurorehabilitation, neuroplasticity, and neuroregeneration are particularly encouraged, as part of the Journal''s continuous interest in neuroscience research. The Editorial Board of the Journal of Medicine and Life is open to consider manuscripts from all levels of research and areas of biological sciences, including fundamental, experimental or clinical research and matters of public health. As part of our pledge to promote an educational and community-building environment, our issues feature sections designated to informing our readers regarding exciting international congresses, teaching courses and relevant institutional-level events.