Clinical Spectrum and Reproductive Health Implications of Female Genital Schistosomiasis in Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract:

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) remains an important neglected tropical disease with significant reproductive health consequences for women in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 529 females aged 15–50 years across six local government areas. Participants underwent structured interviews and colposcopic examinations to document gynaecological symptoms and characteristic lesions, including sandy patches, grainy sandy patches, rubbery papules, contact bleeding, and abnormal blood vessels. Logistic regression models were applied to identify independent predictors of FGS. The most frequent colposcopic findings were contact bleeding (10.8%) and grainy sandy patches (9.3%), while the predominant self-reported symptoms included vaginal itching (66.2%), vaginal discharge (60.0%), dysuria (47.2%), and lower abdominal pain (44.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed that vaginal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.33, p < 0.001) and postcoital bleeding (aOR = 1.77, p = 0.005) were independently associated with FGS.