Research in Medicine

Background: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in individuals aged 6-20 yrs in Iran and comparing it with other countries. Primary and secondary prophylaxis could be a safe, cheap, and confident program for reducing the incidence of rheumatic fever (RF) and recurrence of RHD. RF and RHD are the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults of developing societies. Meanwhile, RHD is a serious long-term sequel of ARF and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in adolescents and young adults.

Materials and methods: 320000 students, aged 6-20 yrs, had entered this descriptive-cross sectional study in Zanjan province since 1991 till 1993.

 Results: Mean age of the studied units was 11±6 yrs and M/F ratio was 3/2. Prevalence of RHD was revealed to be 0.36 per 1000.

 Conclusion: Young age of individuals taking part in this study or satisfactory coverage of primary health cares in the above mentioned area could be some of the reasons for the low prevalence rate.