“It Can Hurt Your Heart”: A Co-Designed Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring Pacific People’s Understanding of Rheumatic Fever in Auckland, New Zealand
Healthcare·
- DOI
- 10.3390/healthcare13222924
- PMID
- 41302313
- PMCID
- PMC12652848
- OpenAlex
- W4416295524
- Study type
- Cross-sectional study
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
Documented knowledge deficiencies suggest that localized educational programs could strengthen preventive practices and encourage earlier clinical consultation. Integrating digital communication strategies may effectively extend the reach of these public health messages.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The investigation sought to assess community awareness of rheumatic fever and identify preferred channels for obtaining health-related information among Pacific populations.
Study design
Researchers implemented a descriptive, mixed-methods cross-sectional survey distributed online over a three-month period. Quantitative responses underwent descriptive statistical analysis, while open-ended feedback was processed through inductive content methods.
Population and setting
The sample comprised four hundred Pacific residents located in Auckland, New Zealand, predominantly female and including a substantial proportion of young adults.
Main findings
A majority of respondents understood that persistent throat infections warrant professional medical evaluation, and approximately two-thirds possessed basic familiarity with rheumatic fever. Participants primarily associated the condition with fever and throat pain, showing less recognition of cardiac or joint complications. Economic hurdles, prolonged appointment delays, and cultural considerations prompted frequent reliance on internet forums and social networking sites for medical guidance.
Public-health relevance
Documented knowledge deficiencies suggest that localized educational programs could strengthen preventive practices and encourage earlier clinical consultation. Integrating digital communication strategies may effectively extend the reach of these public health messages.
Important limitations
The cross-sectional framework captures data at a single time point, preventing assessment of temporal trends or causal relationships. Voluntary online recruitment may also restrict demographic representativeness.
GIDS interpretation
This publication provides contextual background on regional awareness levels and information dissemination habits concerning rheumatic fever. It functions as a static reference for understanding community knowledge baselines and communication preferences without indicating active epidemiological tracking or real-time data verification.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 4 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.