Crown Agents | NNN Conference acknowledges growing health crisis of FGS in sub-Saharan Africa
Currently estimated to affect 56 million women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) remains one of the most neglected sexual and reproductive health diseases in the region.
A complication of schistosomiasis, an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions, FGS is noted as the most common gynaecological condition in schistosomiasis-endemic areas, occurring in up to 70% of women affected by the disease. It can have devastating consequences for those affected, including infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and genital ulcers. Women and girls with FGS are also three times more likely to contract HIV, due to the open sores and inflammation resulting from FGS infection.
“According to the WHO, we know that an estimated 56 million women and girls are at risk of FGS, but due to the lack of awareness and misdiagnosis of the disease this number could be far higher. This healthcare intervention in Kenya is the first step to increasing FGS awareness and is key to increasing advocacy to include FGS within existing medical training across sub-Saharan Africa.” Dr Victoria Gamba
*Excerpt from the full article published by Crown Agents on 26 September 2022