School-based health clinics may be reducing the prevalence of rheumatic fever in South Auckland, according to new research.
Findings published in today's New Zealand Medical Journal shows schools in the Counties Manukau area with nurse-led Mana Kidz clinics have lower rates of Group A Streptococcus, the type of sore throat that can cause rheumatic fever.
The research has also found lower rates of severe skin infections.
Co-author Dr Pip Anderson, a public health physician at Counties Manukau District Health Board, said it was too early to say conclusively if rates of hospital admissions for acute rheumatic fever had also reduced.
But she said the findings were very positive, and the school communities were responding positively to the clinics as well.