Time to bring female genital schistosomiasis out of neglect.
Br Med Bull
; 149(1): 45-59, 2024 Mar 13.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38220571
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a chronic gynaecological disease affecting girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), caused by the parasite Schistosoma (S.) haematobium. FGS is associated with sexual dysfunction, reproductive tract morbidity and increased prevalence of HIV and cervical precancer lesions. SOURCE OF DATA Key peer-reviewed published literature. AREAS OF AGREEMENT FGS screening and diagnosis require costly equipment and specialized training, seldom available in resource-limited settings. FGS surveillance is not included in wider schistosomiasis control strategies. The interplay of FGS with other SRH infections is not fully understood. Integration of FGS within sexual and reproductive health (SRH) control programmes needs to be explored. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There are no standardized methods for individual or population-based FGS screening and diagnosis, hindering accurate disease burden estimates and targeted resource allocation. Treatment recommendations rely on public health guidelines, without rigorous clinical evidence on efficacy. GROWING POINTS Integrating FGS screening with SRH programmes offers an opportunity to reach at-risk women with limited access to healthcare services. Home-based self-sampling coupled with handheld colposcopes operated by primary healthcare workers show promise for FGS diagnosis and surveillance at scale. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH There is growing interest in decentralizing strategies for FGS screening and diagnosis. The accurate predictions on the 'cost-effectiveness' of these approaches will determine their affordability and feasibility within the overburdened health systems in SSA. Clinical trials are needed to optimize FGS treatment. Longitudinal studies can expand on the epidemiological knowledge on co-morbidities and integration within other SRH interventions.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Esquistossomose
/
Doenças dos Genitais Femininos
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Br Med Bull
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido