Knowledge of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) Among Adolescents in Enugu Metropolis

ARF is a major public health issue among children with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aims to ascertain the level of awareness and knowledge of the college adolescent children on acute ARF.

This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 553 adolescents from ten secondary schools in Enugu metropolis over a 4-month period.

A total of 553 adolescents were studied, with a mean age of 14.4 ± 2.7 years and a female predominance (64.9%). Overall, awareness of rheumatic fever was good (63.3%), with health workers, peers, and social media as the major information sources. Knowledge of key symptoms such as joint pain (95.3%), sore throat (94.2%), and shortness of breath (81.7%) was high, and most respondents correctly identified preventive measures (87.5%) and treatment options (89.3%). The mean knowledge score was 23.1 ± 5.8. Significantly higher knowledge was observed among respondents aged <15 years, those in junior secondary school, those with parents having tertiary education, and those from a higher socio-economic class. Junior secondary school status remained an independent predictor of good knowledge.

This study demonstrates that although awareness of rheumatic fever among adolescents is relatively high, comprehensive knowledge, particularly regarding disease burden, is inadequate. Significant socio-demographic disparities in knowledge exist, influenced by age, educational level, parental education, and socio-economic status. Bridging the gap between awareness and accurate knowledge is essential to improving early recognition, prevention, and control of rheumatic fever and its long-term complications.