Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Fifty-three schools ( approximately 22,000 students) from a rheumatic fever high incidence setting ( approximately 60/100,000) in Auckland, New Zealand were randomized. The control group received routine general practice care. The intervention was a school-based sore throat clinic program with free nurse-observed oral penicillin treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. The outcome measure was ARF in any child attending a study school. Analysis A defined ARF cases using criteria derived from Jones Criteria 1965 (definite) and 1956 (probable) with more precise definitions. Analysis B was based on 1992 Jones criteria but also included echocardiography to determine definite cases. RESULTS: In Analysis A, 24 (55/100,000) cases occurred in clinic schools and 29 (67/100,000) in nonclinic schools, a 21% reduction when adjusted for demography and study design (P = 0.47). Analysis B revealed a 28% reduction 26 (59/100,000) and 33 (77/100,000) cases, respectively (P = 0.27). CONCLUSION: This study involving 86,874 person-years showed a nonsignificant reduction in the school-based sore throat clinic programs.
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Authors | Diana Lennon, Joanna Stewart, Elizabeth Farrell, Anne Palmer, Henare Mason |
Journal | The Pediatric infectious disease journal
(Pediatr Infect Dis J)
Vol. 28
Issue 9
Pg. 787-94
(Sep 2009)
ISSN: 1532-0987 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 19710585
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Penicillins
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adolescent
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Endemic Diseases
(prevention & control, statistics & numerical data)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- New Zealand
(epidemiology)
- Penicillins
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Pharyngitis
(drug therapy, microbiology)
- Rheumatic Fever
(epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Schools
- Streptococcal Infections
(drug therapy, microbiology)
- Streptococcus pyogenes
(isolation & purification)
- Treatment Outcome
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