The first phase of a study to detect early signs of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) commenced recently, bringing together 20 health workers from across the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste for echocardiography screening training.

Menzies honorary clinical fellow Dr Joshua Francis is leading the Pedriño study which aims to establish an effective early RHD screening program for children in those at-risk communities.

Dr Francis said he was grateful for the support from Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) in organising the training in Darwin.

“Doctors, nurses and community workers from the Top End and Timor-Leste were brought to Darwin to learn basic echocardiography skills that will enable them to detect early, mild cases of RHD within their communities," he said.

“This is part of a school screening project called Pedriño, which is evaluating an innovative, rapid approach to screening which aims to facilitate early detection of RHD and prevention of progression.

“The participants in the training have improved knowledge about RHD prevention and treatment, and will be able to use the skills they have to identify the heart damage caused by RHD using handheld echo machines, provided by the Humpty Dumpty Foundation."

The next phase of the study will involve screening in selected schools in the Territory and in Timor-Leste. The data will be analysed to determine the best strategy for implementing a large-scale screening process to detect and eliminate RHD in the region.

The Pedriño study was named based on plans for a larger study, Penicillin for improving Echocardiography Detected Rheumatic heart disease Outcomes (PEDRO).

"Pedro is also a common Timorese name. Pedriño, the small version of Pedro, is therefore an appropriate name for this pilot study," said Dr Francis.

This research is also funded through Menzies' HOT NORTH Pilot Project Grants and the Heart Foundation's Vanguard Grants.

Other supporting partners include the Northern Territory Government's Department of Health and Department of Education, along with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.