Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a complication of Schistosoma haematobium infection, and imposes a health burden whose magnitude is not fully explored. It is estimated that up to 56 million women in sub-Saharan Africa have FGS, and almost 20 million more cases will occur in the next decade unless infected girls are treated. Schistosomiasis is reported throughout the year in South Africa in areas known to be endemic, but there is no control programme. We analyze five actions for both a better understanding of the burden of FGS and reducing its prevalence in Africa, namely: (1) schistosomiasis prevention by establishing a formal control programme and increasing access to treatment, (2) introducing FGS screening, (3) providing knowledge to health care workers and communities, (4) vector control, and (5) water, sanitation, and hygiene. Schistosomiasis is focal in South Africa, with most localities moderately affected (prevalence between 10% and 50%), and some pockets that are high risk (more than 50% prevalence). However, in order to progress towards elimination, the five actions are yet to be implemented in addition to the current (and only) control strategy of case-by-case treatment. The main challenge that South Africa faces is a lack of access to WHO-accredited donated medication for mass drug administration. The establishment of a formal and funded programme would address these issues and begin the implementation of the recommended actions.
Funder
the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020/ERC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,General Immunology and Microbiology
Reference102 articles.
1. Simple clinical manifestations of genital Schistosoma haematobium infection in rural Zimbabwean women;Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.,2005
2. Jordens, M. (2022, September 17). The Global Burden of Female Genital Schistosomiasis. Available online: https://www.infontd.org/resource/global-burden-female-genital-schistosomiasis.
3. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS): From case reports to a call for concerted action against this neglected gynaecological disease;Int. J. Parasitol.,2016
4. Schistosomiasis in the first 1000 days;Lancet Infect. Dis.,2018
5. Galappaththi-Arachchige, H.N., Holmen, S., Koukounari, A., Kleppa, E., Pillay, P., Sebitloane, M., Ndhlovu, P., Van Lieshout, L., Vennervald, B.J., and Gundersen, S.G. (2018). Evaluating diagnostic indicators of urogenital Schistosoma haematobium infection in young women: A cross sectional study in rural South Africa. PLoS ONE, 13.
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献