Female genital schistosomiasis: Addressing diagnostic and programmatic gaps to advance elimination efforts

This report underscores the critical need to include Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) within schistosomiasis elimination frameworks and sexual and reproductive health programs. Affecting an estimated 40-56 million women, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, FGS is often underdiagnosed and neglected in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Martha Mberu, Kelly Zongo, Ellie Leaning, Louise Makau-Barasa, Kimberly Kamara, Julie Jacobson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971225000220
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Summary:This report underscores the critical need to include Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) within schistosomiasis elimination frameworks and sexual and reproductive health programs. Affecting an estimated 40-56 million women, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, FGS is often underdiagnosed and neglected in public health programs. This paper highlights FGS as a vital gap in schistosomiasis control and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, advocating for integrated approaches that address FGS awareness and diagnosis within disease elimination initiatives and health services. Enhanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities for FGS in endemic regions are essential to alleviate the physical, psychological, and reproductive health impacts on affected women and to advance global schistosomiasis elimination goals.
ISSN:1201-9712