NTD support Centre (NTD-SC) announce a funding call on Female Genital Schistosomiasis research.
The Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center (NTD-SC) at The Task Force for Global Health is soliciting proposals for operational research to address female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a chronic manifestation of schistosome infections in women and girls.
FGS causes considerable inequity by: misdiagnosis and confusion with symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); social exclusion due to the impact on fertility, marital discord and depression, and; stigma that is associated with sexual and reproductive morbidity for women and girls. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 56 million women and girls are living with FGS in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent published research has recommended urgent global action to address FGS, in order to improve health and social outcomes for millions of women and girls in Africa.
The call followed a discussions and breakout sessions during the Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Opportunities for Research meeting in Liverpool.
Watch this short video on FGS and the meeting.
The NTD-SC is soliciting research proposals related to:
- the clinical picture of FGS, including how to improve diagnosis;
- sustainable integration of FGS-related services;
- an improved clinical training program;
- better community understanding about FGS so as to build social cohesion around treatment and prevention and to reduce associated stigma.