Delivery of benzathine benzylpenicillin G to First Nations people
Proportion of doses delivered is calculated as the proportion of the scheduled 13 doses per year for patients
on a 28-day benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) regime, and 17 doses for patients on a 21-day regime. Patients who commenced part-way through the year have been included with an adjusted expected number of doses. Patients who should have been on BPG but did not receive a dose in 2022 were also included in the analysis.
Benzathine benzylpenicillin G delivery in Qld, WA, SA, and the NT in 2022
There were 4,957 First Nations people eligible for inclusion in calculations about BPG delivery in 2022. Of these:
- 14% (704 people) received 100% or more of their prescribed doses
- 14% (671) received 80% to 99% of their prescribed doses
- 29% (1,457) received 50% to 79% of their prescribed doses
- 43% (2,125) received less than 50% of their prescribed doses, including 10% (513) who did not receive any doses (Supplementary table 4.1).
In 2022, 28% (1,375 people) of First Nations people received at least 80% of doses. The proportion of people who received at least 80% of prescribed doses in each jurisdiction was:
- 41% (84 people) in South Australia
- 35% (875) in the Northern Territory
- 20% (270) in Queensland
- 17% (146) in Western Australia (Figure 4.1; Supplementary table 4.1).
Figure 4.1: Proportion of doses received by First Nations people with ARF and/or RHD on a BPG regime, by state and territory, 2022
Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.
The proportion of people who received at least 80% of prescribed doses was increased as remoteness increased (Figure 4.2; Supplementary table 4.2).
Figure 4.2: BPG delivery level of First Nations people in Qld, WA, SA, and NT with ARF and/or RHD on a 21-day or 28-day BPG regime during 2022, by remoteness
Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.
The proportion of people who received at least 80% of prescribed doses was increased as remoteness increased (Figure 4.2; Supplementary table 4.2).
Women and children had the most doses of benzathine benzylpenicillin G delivered
- More males received fewer than 40% of their prescribed doses than females and more females received at least 80% of doses than males (Figure 4.3; Supplementary table 4.3).
- Delivery was highest among people aged 5–14, with 41% receiving at least 80% of doses (Figure 4.4; Supplementary table 4.4).
Figure 4.3: Proportion of doses received by First Nations people with ARF and/or RHD on a BPG regime, by sex, 2022
Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.
Figure 4.4: Proportion of doses received by First Nations people with ARF and/or RHD on a BPG regime, by age group, 2022
Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.
Delivery of benzathine benzylpenicillin G has decreased since 2019
The proportion of First Nations people receiving at least 80% of their prescribed doses decreased from 39% in 2019 to 28% in 2022 (Figure 4.5). In 2022, 10% of First Nations people prescribed BPG did not receive any of their prescribed doses (Supplementary table 4.5). The decrease in those receiving at least 80% of their prescribed doses could be due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on individuals and health services.
Figure 4.5: Proportion of doses received by First Nations people with ARF and/or RHD on a BPG regime, by year, 2018 to 2022
Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.
Benzathine benzylpenicillin G delivery in NSW
As noted above, information on secondary prophylaxis in New South Wales is only available for patients who consent to share information with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). This information was available for 37 First Nations people during 2022, 31 of which should have been receiving BPG. Of these, 32% had 80% or more doses recorded (Supplementary table 4.6b).