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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
S. haematobium as a Common Cause of Genital Morbidity in Girls: A Cross-sectional Study of Children in South Africa
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 7, No. 3, Article e2104, Year 2013
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Description
Background: Schistosoma (S.) haematobium infection is a common cause of genital morbidity in adult women. Ova in the genital mucosal lining may cause lesions, bleeding, pain, discharge, and the damaged surfaces may pose a risk for HIV. In a heterogeneous schistosomiasis endemic area in South Africa, we sought to investigate if young girls had genital symptoms and if this was associated with urinary S. haematobium. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study of 18 randomly chosen primary schools, we included 1057 schoolgirls between the age of 10 and 12 years. We interviewed assenting girls, whose parents had consented to their participation and examined three urines from each of them for schistosome ova. Principal findings: One third of the girls reported to have a history of genital symptoms. Prior schistosomal infection was reported by 22% (226/1020), this was associated with current genital symptoms (p<0.001). In regression analysis the genital symptoms were significantly associated both with urinary schistosomiasis (p<0.001) and water contact (p<0.001). Conclusions: Even before sexually active age, a relatively large proportion of the participating girls had similar genital symptoms to those reported for adult genital schistosomiasis previously. Anti-schistosomal treatment should be considered at a young age in order to prevent chronic genital damage and secondary infections such as HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and other super-infections. © 2013 Hegertun et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3605138/bin/pntd.0002104.s001.doc
Authors & Co-Authors
Hegertun, Ingrid Ea
Norway, Oslo
Ulleval University Hospital
Norway, Oslo
Universitetet I Oslo
Sulheim Gundersen, Kristin Marie
Norway, Oslo
Ulleval University Hospital
Norway, Oslo
Universitetet I Oslo
Kleppa, Elisabeth
Norway, Oslo
Ulleval University Hospital
Norway, Oslo
Universitetet I Oslo
Zulu, Siphosenkosi Gift
South Africa, Durban
The Nelson R. Mandela Medical School
Gundersen, Svein Gunnar
Norway, Kristiansand
Sørlandet Hospital hf
Norway, Kristiansand
Universitetet I Agder
Taylor, Myra
South Africa, Durban
The Nelson R. Mandela Medical School
Kvalsvig, Jane Dene
South Africa, Durban
The Nelson R. Mandela Medical School
Kjetland, Eyrun Floerecke
Norway, Oslo
Ulleval University Hospital
South Africa, Durban
University of Kwazulu-natal
Statistics
Citations: 77
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002104
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Environmental
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Female