Project Summary
Recent epidemiologic, immunologic and pathophysiologic data suggest that female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a special form of urinary schistosomiasis due to infection with the trematode Schistosoma haematobium, may be a risk factor for HIV infection. Despite the high morbidity caused by FGS and the seemingly high role of FGS in HIV transmission, only a limited number of studies based on selected groups of patients have been published making it difficult to associate FGS with HIV transmission. In Tanzania, no study has been conducted to explore this relationship and examine various reproductive health complications resulting from FGS.
This project is set to determine the magnitude, clinico-pathological characteristics, reproductive health complication and the role of FGS in the transmission of HIV in lower Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. A population-based cohort study design will be employed to estimate the prevalence, incidence and causal association between FGS and HIV infection. The study will be conducted in Kare ward, Kilimanjaro region, an area with high prevalence of both Schistosomiasis and HIV infection. A total of 800 women aged 15-49 years who are married or cohabiting and their male sexual partners living in the selected ward will be included in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected. Quantitative information will be entered in to statistical software and cleaned. Analysis will range from simple frequencies, contingent tabulation, logistic regression to survival analysis based on type of data. Analysis of qualitative data will be done inductively (continuously) following grounded theory procedures.
