AJTMH HINARI
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 79(1), 2008, pp. 79-83
Copyright © 2008 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kjetland, E. F.
Right arrow Articles by Gundersen, S. G.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kjetland, E. F.
Right arrow Articles by Gundersen, S. G.

Prevention of Gynecologic Contact Bleeding and Genital Sandy Patches by Childhood Anti-schistosomal Treatment

Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland*, Patricia D. Ndhlovu, Edith Nyaradzai Kurewa, Nicholas Midzi, Exnevia Gomo, Takafira Mduluza, Henrik Friis, AND Svein Gunnar Gundersen
Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe; Blair Research Institute (now National Institute for Health Research), Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of International Nutrition and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Research Unit, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Kristiansand, Norway; University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway

Schistosoma haematobium infection may cause genital mucosal pathology in women with and without urinary schistosomiasis. This report seeks to explore the long-term effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on the clinical manifestations of S. haematobium infection in the lower genital tract. Prior treatment was reported by 248 (47%) of 527 women. Treatment received before the age of 20 years was significantly associated with the absence of sandy patches and contact bleeding, and this association was independent of current waterbody contact. Treatment in the past five years did not influence the prevalence of gynecologic schistosoma-induced lesions. The study indicates that early treatment may be more efficient for gynecologic morbidity control. Findings warrant an exploration into several chemotherapeutic agents administered at an early age, as well as in adults.

Received February 3, 2008. Accepted for publication March 30, 2008.

Acknowledgments: We thank Dr. S. Charimari (Provincial Medical Director and Supervisor); the Mupfure community, the staff at Madziwa, Harare Central, and Mount Darwin Hospitals; the personnel at Blair Research Laboratory; the library at the Ministry of Health; and Drs. T. Magwali, B. Mhlanga, and I. Lyngstad-Vik; and Professors F. Jerve, B. Myrvang and L. Sandvik for technical, medical, and cultural assistance. We also thank the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, the staff at Mupfure Secondary School, V. Mugabe (Headmistress), Sister J. Chikoore, the late Sister P. Dungare, C. Chadzimura (Councillor), the village health workers, environmental health technicians, N. Taremeredzwa, C. Mukahiwa, R. Manyaira, and T. Mushipe for prolonged hard work under very difficult circumstances.

Financial support: This study was supported by a director’s initiative grant from the United Nations Development Program/The World Bank/World Health Organization Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, The Norwegian Research Council NO-RAD, the Department for Infectious Diseases, Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases and Research Forum, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, and the Danish Bilharziosis Laboratory.

* Address correspondence to Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland, Center for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevaal University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. E-mail: e.f.kjetland{at}medisin.uio.no

Authors’ addresses: Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland, Center for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevaal University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway, E-mail: e.f.kjetland{at}medisin.uio.no. Patricia Ndhlovu, Metabolic and Clinical Trials Unit, Camden Mews Day Hospital, 5 Camden Mews, London NW1 9DB, United Kingdom, E-mail: patricia.ndhlovu{at}candi.nhs.uk. Edith Nyaradzai Kurewa and Exnevia Gomo, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe, E-mails: enkurewa{at}hotmail.com and egomo{at}rsc.medcol.mw. Nicholas Midzi, National Institute for Health Research (formerly Blair Research Institute), Harare, Zimbabwe, E-mail: nicholas.midzi{at}yahoo.com. Takafira Mduluza, Biochemistry Department, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe, E-mails: mduluza{at}medic.uz.ac.zw and tmduluza{at}yahoo.com. Henrik Friis, International Nutrition and Health Department, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, E-mail: hfr{at}life.ku.dk. Svein Gunnar Gundersen, Research Unit, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Kristiansand, Norway and University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway, E-mails: s.g.gundersen{at}sshf.no and s.g.g.gundersen{at}hia.no.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2008 by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.