Family acceptability of school-based echocardiographic screening for XXXX in a high-risk population in New Zealand.

@entity6331 @entity1 @entity4789
AIM: Echocardiographic screening for @entity6331 has been piloted in high-risk areas in New Zealand and internationally, and fulfils most of the criteria for a targeted screening programme. The question of acceptability of @entity6331 screening has not been assessed, and the aim of our study was to assess parental acceptability of a school-based echocardiographic screening programme in a high-risk population in New Zealand. METHODS: A post-screening questionnaire was developed to survey parents of @entity1 who underwent echocardiographic screening. The families of 34 @entity1 with abnormal scan results and a sample of 80 @entity1 with normal scan results were surveyed by phone within 4 months of screening. RESULTS: Positive results were seen in all survey questions in both normal and abnormal scan groups. All families were supportive of an ongoing screening programme. Of @entity1 with abnormal results, 62% of their parents reported that they would treat their @entity1 differently; however, all responses were positive health-promoting outcomes. CONCLUSION: The study showed strong positive support for school-based echocardiographic screening by a community with high @entity4789 incidence. The study did not detect any short-term negative effects in those with abnormal results. The survey result shows family and community support for the establishment of echocardiographic screening programmes in high @entity4789 areas provided there is adequate infrastructural support.
