TITLE:
The Prevalence of Female Genital Bilharziasis (FGB) in the Northern Region of Senegal
AUTHORS:
Ousmane Thiam, Maimouna Ndour, Doudou Sow, Dibor Niang, Cherif C. T. Sarr, Djibryl B. Sow, Mouhamadou M. Ndiaye
KEYWORDS:
Female Genital Bilharziasis, Colposcopy, Saint-Louis, VIA
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
12,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Female Genital Bilharzia (FGB) is a pathology secondary to infection by
Schistosoma haematobium. It is one of the neglected tropical diseases, capable
of causing infertility, difficulties in childbirth and even cervical cancer. It
represents a real public health problem. We therefore conducted a study in the
maternity ward of the Saint-Louis regional hospital, with the overall aim of
determining the prevalence of FBG in patients undergoing colposcopy. The
specific objectives were to define the patient profile, and to compare
colposcopic images with the World Health Organization (WHO) atlas. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study of all colposcopic
images taken at the maternity ward of the Saint-Louis regional hospital from
August 1, 2018, to September 30, 2020, i.e.
25 months. The images were compared with the BGF images described in the WHO atlas. Results: We collected 178 colposcopy
images. FBG images numbered 50, or 28%. The mean age of the patients was
44.5 years ±11.4 at the extremes of 18 and 78 years. Mean
gestational age was 4.69 ± 2.72. Among patients with a bilharzian lesion on the
cervix, visual acid inspection (VIA) was negative in 60% of cases (p = 0.007,
Odd Ratio = 3.6 (1.49 - 9.07)). Conclusion: the results of our study show that FBG is a
reality in our daily practice. It occurs in adult, multigestating,
non-occupational women whose examination reveals a negative visual inspection
with acetic acid (VIA). Healthcare providers therefore need to be trained in
the recognition of lesions associated with genital bilharziasis, and public
awareness needs to be raised.