May 26, 2009
Hotez PJ, Fenwick A, Kjetland EF Journal title: PLoS neglected tropical diseases PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009;3(5):e430 PMID: 19479041 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19479041 Abstract...
May 12, 2009
Lillerud LE, Stuestoel VM, Hoel RE, Rukeba Z, Kjetland EF Journal title: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2010 Mar;281(3):455-60 PMID: 19434416 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19434416 Abstract PURPOSE: Genital schistosomiasis may be a risk factor for HIV, but chronic lesions in adults may be refractory to standard treatment. We aimed to investigate young girls’ risk factors for gynaecological schistosomiasis, possible protective factors and possibilities for behavioural change and mass treatment in rural Tanzania. METHODS: A standardised questionnaire was used to interview females between 5 and 20 years of age in a small cross-sectional study. RESULTS: One third of the girls were found to be at risk of acquiring schistosomal infection. Younger and older girls were engaged in more risk behaviour than the 10-14-year-olds. Knowledge of the parasite was associated with less risky water contact, and most of the girls had acquired this knowledge through primary school education. CONCLUSION: Mass treatment for gynaecological schistosomiasis should be done in collaboration with the school system as a joint venture with the health system in order to reach non-enrolled girls who may be at particular risk. Research is still needed to assess the preventive effect of treatment on genital lesions and on HIV incidence....
Dec 5, 2008
Kjetland EF, Kurewa EN, Ndhlovu PD, Midzi N, Gwanzura L, Mason PR, Gomo E, Sandvik L, Mduluza T, Friis H, Gundersen SG Journal title: Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH Trop. Med. Int. Health 2008 Dec;13(12):1509-17 PMID: 19055625 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19055625 Abstract OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between schistosomiasis and reproductive tract symptoms. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Schistosoma haematobium-endemic area of rural Zimbabwe. A total of 483 permanently resident adult women of Mupfure Ward aged 20-49 were interviewed and examined clinically, each providing three consecutive urine samples. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). RESULTS: Women with genital sandy patches had significantly more genital itch (P = 0.009) and perceived their discharge as abnormal (P = 0.003). Eighty percent of the women who had genital itch, yellow discharge, and childhood or current waterbody contact had sandy patches. Fifty-two percent of the women with genital sandy patches did not have detectable S. haematobium ova in urine. Genital schistosomiasis was associated with stress incontinence and pollakisuria, but not with menstrual irregularities, current or previous ulcers, or tumours. CONCLUSION: Genital schistosomiasis may be a differential diagnosis to the STDs in women who have been exposed to fresh water in endemic areas. Because of the chronic nature of the disease in adults, we suggest to pay special attention to the prevention of morbidity....
Aug 11, 2008
Jourdan PM, Laoussou P, Lybie A, Kjetland EF Journal title: West African journal of medicine West Afr J Med 2008 Jan;27(1):7-12 PMID: 18689296 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689296 Abstract BACKGROUND: Severe malarial anaemia accounts for nearly one million deaths annually in under-fives in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and social indicators of anaemia in under-fives with malaria seeking healthcare at a hospital in northern Cameroon. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 91 consecutive patients below the age of 60 months in whom malaria was diagnosed by symptomatic fever and microscopic examination. Patients were clinically investigated and mothers questioned on related clinical and social aspects. RESULTS: Anaemia (haemoglobin less than 110 g/L) was detected in 69 (82%), and a high parasite load (more than 100 Plasmodia per 100 high-power fields) in 24 (26%) of the patients. Clinical findings were associated with the levels of haemoglobin, rather than the parasite load in a single blood slide. Anaemia was found significantly more often in children between the ages of 12 and 23 months and in patients born at home (p = 0.035 and p = 0.048 respectively). Severe anaemia (haemoglobin less than 50 g/L) was found significantly more often in patients who had not been vaccinated (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Anaemia is an important health issue in this population. Clinical signs appear to be associated with the haemoglobin status of the patient rather than the parasite load determined in a single blood slide. Recently weaned children and children of mothers with low socio-economic status and who do not usually use the hospital services, may need particular attention in prevention of anaemia. Further studies...
Jul 8, 2008
Kjetland EF, Ndhlovu PD, Kurewa EN, Midzi N, Gomo E, Mduluza T, Friis H, Gundersen SG Journal title: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2008 Jul;79(1):79-83 PMID: 18606767 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18606767 Abstract Schistosoma haematobium infection may cause genital mucosal pathology in women with and without urinary schistosomiasis. This report seeks to explore the long-term effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on the clinical manifestations of S. haematobium infection in the lower genital tract. Prior treatment was reported by 248 (47%) of 527 women. Treatment received before the age of 20 years was significantly associated with the absence of sandy patches and contact bleeding, and this association was independent of current waterbody contact. Treatment in the past five years did not influence the prevalence of gynecologic schistosoma-induced lesions. The study indicates that early treatment may be more efficient for gynecologic morbidity control. Findings warrant an exploration into several chemotherapeutic agents administered at an early age, as well as in adults....
Oct 24, 2006
Ndhlovu PD, Mduluza T, Kjetland EF, Midzi N, Nyanga L, Gundersen SG, Friis H, Gomo E Journal title: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2007 May;101(5):433-8 PMID: 17064746 Article on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17064746 Abstract A cross-sectional study was conducted on 544 women living in Mupfure rural area of Zimbabwe to determine whether infection with urinary schistosomiasis is associated with HIV infection. Schistosoma haematobium infection was examined in urine samples and HIV infection was determined in sera. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was highest (60%) in women below 20 years of age and declined to 29% in the oldest age group (test for trends,...
