The burden and risk factors of female genital schistosomiasis in two schistosomiasis-endemic states of Nigeria

Summary

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a serious, yet neglected, gynaecological condition that arises from chronic schistosomiasis infection, which is estimated to affect 56 million women and girls across sub-Saharan Africa. It is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness among health workers. This article reports the results of a study among reproductive-aged women in 15 schistosomiasis hotspot communities in Ondo and Kebbi States, Nigeria.

The results revealed a significant burden, with the FGS prevalence estimated at 41.4% among the 561 women visually examined. The results also show that factors such as age, marital status, educational attainment, using surface water sources, and having signs of the parasite or blood in the urine were associated risks for FGS. Ultimately, the study concludes that FGS is a huge burden in these endemic areas of Nigeria, requiring urgent community-wide interventions and the integration of FGS management into existing sexual and reproductive health programmes.

This article is part of the supplement ‘Sightsavers at 75: delivering impact through health and inclusion research’ in the journal International Health, published in collaboration with the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in celebration of Sightsavers’ 75th anniversary.