"It Can Hurt Your Heart": A Co-Designed Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring Pacific People's Understanding of Rheumatic Fever in Auckland, New Zealand.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Rheumatic fever is preventable and can be treated successfully; however, a lack of understanding of the disease and barriers to timely healthcare can impact outcomes. Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience inequitable burdens, and a Pacific community group and health professional network are working together to co-design education initiatives. This descriptive, mixed-methods study aimed to (1) explore Pacific people's awareness and understanding of rheumatic fever, (2) describe where Pacific people access health information. Methods: An online survey co-developed with Pacific community members was run from December 2024 to February 2025. Questions related to sore throats, rheumatic fever, medication adherence, long-term outcomes and where Pac

SUBMITTER: Tu'akoi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12652848 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature