title: A survey of female genital schistosomiasis of the lower reproductive tract in the volta basin of Ghana.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of female genital schistosomiasis in riparian communities in the Volta basin of Ghana,
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among women 15-49 years in the Volta Basin. Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence was determined using microscopy. A structured questionnaire was also administered to collect information on the demography, obstetric history and reproductive health experiences. Cervical punch biopsy was collected from women who consented to be screened for FGS. Descriptive statistics was used to determine frequency of occurrence, chi squared and logistic regression to identify associated variables
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence among the women was 24.8% while 10.6% of them diagnosed with FGS. More FGS diagnosed women (57.7%, p value =0.04%) were observed to report copious discharge, vaginal itch (80.8%, p=0.042) and lower abdominal pain (66.7%, p= 0.041) compared to FGS negative women. The predominant abnormal observation of the lower genital tract made was erythematous cervix (18.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study confirms the reproductive health symptoms associated with FGS and recommends awareness creation on FGS among women in endemic communities to facilitate early treatment.
authors.affiliation: Volta Basin Research Project, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 209, Legon, Ghana. dzidzoy@ug.edu.gh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yirenya-Tawiah
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amoah
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Apea-Kubi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dade
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackumey
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Annang
authors.forename: D Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bosompem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult