Projekt

In many regions of the world, both schistosomiasis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are endemic. Recent epidemiologic, immunologic and pathophysiologic data suggest that Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a special form of urinary schistosomiasis due to infection with the trematode Schistosoma haematobium, may be a risk factor for HIV infection. Both HIV and schistosomiasis infections are highly prevalent in Tanzania with a reported high prevalence of FGS of about 75% in the Kilimanjaro region. Despite the high morbidity caused by FGS and the seemingly high role of FGS in HIV transmission, only limited number of studies based on selected groups of patients has been published making it difficult to associate FGS with HIV transmission. In addition, few available population-based studies on the subject have been cross-sectional in design hence failed to conclude on the cause-effect relationship between FGS and HIV. In Tanzania, no study has been conducted to explore this relationship and examine various reproductive health complications resulting from FGS. This project is therefore set to determine the magnitude, clinico-pathological characteristics, reproductive health complication and the role of FGS in the transmission of HIV in lower Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

• Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fleischer

  Bernhard-Nocht-Institut
  für Tropenmedizin (BNITM)
  Hamburg
  

• Dr. Elia John Mmbaga

  Muhimbili University of Health
  and Allied Sciences
  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  Dar es Salaam
  Tansania (Tanzania)