ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE
To determine the awareness of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among physicians at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi.
METHODOLOGY
This cross-sectional investigation was executed at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Karachi from July to December 2024, enrolling a cohort of 193 physicians aged between 30 and 60 years through a convenient sampling method. The level of awareness regarding Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) was evaluated utilizing a validated survey instrument. The data were processed in SPSS version 26 employing descriptive statistical methods and the Chi-square test, with a p-value of ≤0.05 deemed statistically significant.
RESULTS
Among a cohort of 193 medical practitioners (mean age 42.9 ± 9.3 years), the average awareness score was recorded at 6.41 ± 1.53. In total, 57% of participants exhibited a commendable level of awareness regarding Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), whereas 43% displayed inadequate awareness. Male participants exhibited a marginally superior awareness rate (58.9%) compared to their female counterparts (55.3%); however, this disparity did not reach statistical significance (p=0.619). Consultants demonstrated a higher level of awareness (67.9%), although the correlation between professional status and awareness did not yield a statistically significant association (p=0.157).
CONCLUSION
This research showed that over half of physicians were well aware of ARF and RHD. However, a significant percentage were not adequately aware of these conditions. There was no significant difference in awareness between genders or professional cadres. These findings underscore the necessity for systematic educational programs to address knowledge gaps, enhance prevention, and contribute to reducing the national burden of ARF and RHD.
KEYWORDS
Physician Awareness, Acute Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Knowledge Assessment