The Zipime-Weka-Schista study protocol

16 Nov 2023
Kwame Shanaube, Rhoda Ndubani, Helen Kelly, Emily L. Webb, Philippe Mayaud, Olimpia Lamberti, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Nkatya Kasese, Virginia Bond, Richard Hayes,Fern Terris-Prestholt, Bonnie Webster, Bellington Vwalika, Isaiah Hansingo, Helen Ayles, Amaya L. Bustinduy

The Zipime-Weka-Schista study protocol: a longitudinal cohort study and economic evaluation of an integrated home-based approach for genital multi-pathogen screening in women, including female genital schistosomiasis, HPV, Trichomonas and HIV in Zambia

Multiplathogen home-based self-sampling offers an opportunity to increase access to screening and treatment. Infections include sexually transmitted (HIV, Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), human papillomavirus [HPV] for cervical precancer detection) and non-sexually transmitted pathogens (Schistosoma haematobium (Sh)) pathogens, in endemic settings with high co-infection prevalence. Chronic infection may lead to disability (female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and death (cervical cancer). The Zipime-Weka-Schista (Do self-testing sister!) aims to evaluate the validity, acceptability, uptake, impact and cost-effectiveness of multi-pathogen self-sampling for genital infections among women in Zambia.

FIG Female Genital Schistosomiasis