Dzidzo Yirenya-Tawiah|Mercy M. Ackumey|Kwabena M. Bosompem
Knowledge and awareness of genital involvement and reproductive health consequences of urogenital schistosomiasis in endemic communities in Ghana: a cross-sectional study
University of Ghana|University of Ghana|Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research|University of Ghana
world health organization year 2009 renamed schistosomiasis haematobium disease urinary schistosomiasis urogenital schistosomiasis study sought determine whether urogenital schistosomiasis endemic community members aware broadened scope disease associated certain reproductive health related signs symptoms haematobium infectionthis crosssectional study 2585 respondents aged 1549 years 30 riparian communities along lower arm volta lake interviewed using structured questionnaire 24 focus group discussions also conducted descriptive statistics used determine frequency responses question posed chi squared tests used determine associations demographic variables variables interest binary logistic regression used predict probability reported symptom indicator urogenital schistosomiasis thematic analysis used examine narrativesninety four percent male respondents 887 female respondents acknowledged schistosomiasis waterborne disease 207 1096 subjects 189 responding questionnaire agreed knowledge urogenital schistosomiasis reproductive health implications significant difference variation knowledge found males 145 females 72 p 0001 study also found although knowledge hiv high 123 respondents knew urogenital schistosomiasis could facilitate acquisition hiv women reported ever suffered schistosomiasis 13 15 times likely report vaginal discharge vaginal itch sexual dysfunction 111 urethral discharge 106 frequently reported symptoms among malesthe study finds limited knowledge reproductive health consequences disease among endemic communities recommended health education urogenital schistosomiasis also include issues symptoms disease reproductive health consequences hiv transmission