Projekt

HIV and Schistosoma haematobium Infection co-exists in 44 countries in Africa with evidence accumulating on the link between these two infections. However, most studies on the role of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and HIV infection have been cross-sectional in nature and have failed to prove causality. Our earlier project in Kahe Kilimanjaro, Tanzania employed a cohort study design to examine causality role of FGS in HIV transmission among women aged 15-49 and describe clinical pathological characteristics of FGS and associated reproductive health complications. Initial data from one year of follow-up indicate a potential prove of causality. To be able to achieve a statistical power to entangle the causality relationship, four years of follow up is needed. Moreover, qualitative data to explore societal and cultural factors related to schistosoma infection and understand how women with FGS and reproductive complications cope are warranted. This will form part of the Senior post-doctoral fellowship applied. There are evidence that Mass Drug Administration (MDA) have an effect in reducing schistosoma haematobium infection among pre-and school aged children. This effect also reduce the risk of genital lesion and hence HIV transmission in girls. In our study we found the rate of urinary and female genital schistosomiasis to be high. The role of mass drug administration in reducing the rate of female genital schistosomiasis in adult women has not been examined. We plan in the next phase of this study to examine the role of praziquantel administration in the prevention of FGS among adult women using a double blind randomized control trial of 631 women without FGS. The senior fellowship will therefore test the hypothesis that MDA with Praziquantel reduces the incidence of FGS among adult women in high transmission areas.

• 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)
  

• Fertility desire and intention of people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania: a call for restructuring care and treatment services.