MsFatima Amponsah Fordjour

This implementation research study provided baseline data that informs schistosomiasis control policies and how Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) diagnosis and the needs of women of childbearing age can be integrated into public health programs. This evidence will help health agencies decide whether to resume halted MDA programs in the Tolon district. A unique aspect of this work is its explicit focus on the reproductive health impacts of FGS, which are often overlooked in both public health strategies and medical education in endemic regions. Despite the high burden of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a significant knowledge gap on its impact on women's reproductive health, specifically linked to Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS). An overview of this situation reveals that research and public health messaging in endemic countries such as Ghana have largely overlooked the condition, and it is often absent from medical and nursing curricula. This low awareness extends to affected communities, where symptoms such as blood in urine are misinterpreted as unrelated health concerns. Health education initiatives rarely address the reproductive consequences of FGS, and current control strategies (mass drug administration campaigns) focus mostly on school-aged children, excluding other vulnerable groups, particularly women of childbearing age. The research in Northern Ghana’s Tolon District where schistosomiasis is highly endemic, assessed the reproductive health impact of S. haematobium infection in a group of women of childbearing age. Women testing positive followed further gynecological evaluations that identified FGS-specific signs. This assessment generated critical clinical and epidemiological data on FGS in this underserved population that can being insights for how to increase diagnosis and care in other regions. FGS is a significant under-recognized health complication caused by Schistosoma haematobium, affecting millions globally—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears 93% of the burden. Ghana accounts for some 15 million cases. The disease leads to a range of reproductive health issues, including post-coital bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and increased susceptibility to HIV and infertility. Despite this, awareness remains low among affected populations and health professionals. In Ghana the reproductive consequences of schistosomiasis are rarely documented or included in public health education. Women of reproductive age are largely neglected from existing mass drug administration programs focus, that focus primarily on school-aged children.