Investigating outcomes of female genital schistosomiasis in communities in Ogun State, Nigeria: a pilot cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is still a relatively new area of study in Nigeria, although the knowledge has improved since the Female Genital Schistosomiasis Society of Nigeria was launched in 2022, but gaps exist in evaluating the consequences of this disease. This pilot study investigated outcomes of FGS in two communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: Women <65 y of age from two communities in Ogun State were investigated. Of 126 women screened by urine microscopy, only 47 participants further consented for colposcopy to investigate FGS, guided by the World Health Organization FGS pocket atlas. Samples from the cervix and vagina were also subjected to a Pap test. Questionnaires were also used. RESULTS: Among the 47 participants, 23.4% had egg-patent urogenital schistosomiasis, with younger women being significantly more infected (p<0.05): age group 16-25 y (30.8%) and 26-35 y (35.7%). Investigation by colposcopy showed that 18 (38.3%) women had signs that could be considered as FGS, including grainy sandy patches (12.8%), yellow sandy patches (38.3%), abnormal blood vessels (17%) and rubbery papules (4.3%). Pap smear results showed cervical atypia in all samples, with two having Schistosoma ova. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study reaffirm the reason why more attention to FGS from the Federal Ministry of Health is required, and we strongly recommend the need for more studies with larger sample sizes to gather more information.