A Director of Research at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale has emphasised the need for increased research and awareness on urinary schistosomiasis (blood in the urine) in the country.
Akinwade, who made this known on Friday in Lagos at the institute’s monthly media chat organised to inform the public on some of its findings, said schistosomiasis was one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDS) in the country.
The director, also the Head, Public Health and Epidemiology Department in NIMR, said the disease impacts millions of people globally, especially vulnerable children and women of childbearing age in the sub-Saharan Africa.
According to her, the disease also manifests as a gender specific infection in some cases, also known as Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), adding that there is paucity of data on the disease in the country.
Akinwade disclosed that the research group screened women of childbearing age in some schistosomiasis endemic communities to determine the prevalence of the disease using the WHO standard.
The research, funded by the Royal Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the National Institute of Health Research in the UK, found almost half of the women screened to have the infection.
“We used microscopy, urine microscopy, clinical examination, pap smear, and photocopies to screen the women and we also used the WHO guidelines as our guide.
“Younger women were significantly more infected while the photocopy results showed that about half of the infected women had signs that would be considered as female genital schistosomiasis.
“The pap smear results also showed abnormal cervical manifestations and we recommend that more measures should be taken to improve the health of women especially those living in schistosomiasis and endemic communities.
“All the infected women in this study showed cervical cells that deviate from the normal appearance of structure.
“It is important to follow up with them to monitor any potential progression of these cells that could lead to malignant lesions,” she said.
NAN
