Female Genital Schistosomiasis Initiative
• Soubré, Côte d’Ivoire •
• 2023 •
• In Partnership with Unlimit Health •
The Issue
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS)is a neglected tropical disease caused by a gynaecological parasitic infection. It can lead to ectopic pregnancies, infertility and increased risk of co-infection with HIV or HPV. It affects as many as 56 million girls and women across sub-Saharan Africa. There is currently no surveillance and the condition remains largely unknown amongst women in the community and healthcare professionals. Treatment of FGS is via praziquantel, a readily available drug.
The Project
We are funding a project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, to integrate the prevention, treatment and education of FGS into routine health services for women aged 15 to 29 at risk in one district.
Their aim is to ensure 24,000 young women at risk have access to prevention services and effective healthcare, and 42,600 women across 24 health centres have increased awareness of FGS and prevention. The 2021 pilot project was able to treat over 8500 women and deliver educational sessions, including reducing stigma.
This project was completed in collaboration with Unlimit Health. Learn more about them by clicking the button below.
Image Credits: Aka Aboubakhr Thierry Kouamé/Unlimit Health
Image Credits: Aka Aboubakhr Thierry Kouamé/Unlimit Health
The Outcome
This project is underway! Unlimit Health have been working closely with the Ministry of Health starting to create a questionnaire that can be used to screen women for FGS and developing a surveillance system to ensure cases are not missed. These are essential steps to ensuring this project is integrated into the healthcare system within Sierra Leone.
Around 40 leaders from the National Gynaecology and HIV Societies are being trained, with a cascade approach to reach wider membership. Additionally, 240 health workers and 96 community health workers across 48 primary healthcare centres will be trained, potentially reaching 38,400 women in clinics and up to 68,000 women in surrounding communities. The project focuses on expanding training and outreach while continuing to pursue questionnaire validation. Key lessons so far include the importance of stakeholder engagement for sustainability, and rigorous validation of health tools before clinical use. The next steps involve rolling out integrated FGS services alongside routine prevention programmes like HIV and HPV initiatives, prioritising targeted and high-impact outreach within existing healthcare structures. We look forward to hearing from Unlimit Health as the project progresses.
“The advanced stage [of FGS] is usually manifested by bleeding from abortions and infertility. Prevention…is very important because it is easier to prevent FGS than to cure it.”
“I was in pain all the time…I became very fearful as I have always looked forward to becoming a mother.”
Top Banner Image Credits: Aka Aboubakhr Thierry Kouamé/Unlimit Health
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