Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology (CSP)
Concerted Action on Female Genital Schistosomiasis and Gynecological Diseases in Cameroon: Integrating Precision Mapping of Urogenital Schistosomiasis with Rapid Assessment of FGS for Better Community Management of Gynecological Diseases
This proof of concept study will take place over a 10-month period. They aim to compare the feasibility and acceptability of mobile gynecological clinics versus traditional, static health posts. The primary research question, Where urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic, can a static health outpost versus a mobile clinic deliver better diagnosis and treatmnet of FGS, HIV, HPV, and cervical cancer in an acceptable and cost-effective manner to women (14-30 years), will be answered through the following activities:
- Development of a consortium on FGS bringing together high-profile researchers, policy makers, program implementers, and health professionals
- Training of health professionals (nurses, physicians, community health workers) with follow up sessions to raise awareness and diagnostic capabilities through colposcopic imagery. Health workers in remote areas will utilize telehealth to transmit images for quality checks by a specialist. The team will measure the % correlation between field results and telemedicine results to determine feasibility.
- Precision mapping in select districts to determine areas with the highest schistosomiasis prevalence through parasitological surveys
- Pilot test mobile service delivery for FGS, HIV, HPV, and other common gynecological issues in two of the four districts. This will include a cost analysis to make a business case for scalability.
Evaluation of CCA urine-tests for diagnosis of Schistosoma guineensis infection in Cameroon
To determine if the circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) rapid diagnostic test is as effective as the Kato-Katz (KK) test in diagnosing S. guinensis
Schisto Score: Development of a Multivariable Prediction Model for the Diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium infections in individuals living in hard-to-reach endemic areas around the Mapé dam, West-Cameroon
1. Which combination of clinical, demographical, and behavioral variables best predict urogenital schistosomiasis diagnosis in individuals living in communities around the Mapé dam?
2. How this combination of clinical, demographical, and behavioral variables can help to establish a diagnostic score for urogenital schistosomiasis diagnosis in individuals living in communities around the Mapé dam?