Schistosomiasis Among Female Migrants in Non-endemic Countries : Neglected Among the Neglected? A Pilot Study
Roure, Sílvia (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Pérez-Quílez, Olga (Institut Català de la Salut)
Vallès, Xavier (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Valerio, Lluís (Institut Català de la Salut)
López-Muñoz, Israel (Institut Català de la Salut)
Soldevila, Laura (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Torrella, Ariadna (Institut Català de la Salut)
Fernandez Rivas, Gema (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Chamorro, Anna (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Clotet Sala, Bonaventura (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2022
Abstract:	Schistosomiasis among migrant populations in Europe is an underdiagnosed infection, yet delayed treatment may have serious long-term consequences. In this study we aimed to characterize the clinical manifestations of Schistosoma infection among migrant women, and the degree of underdiagnosis. We carried out a prospective cross-sectional study among a migrant population living in the North Metropolitan Barcelona area and coming from schistosomiasis-endemic countries. We obtained clinical, laboratory and socio-demographic data from electronic clinical records, as well as information about years of residence and previous attendance at health services. Blood sample was obtained and schistosomiasis exposure was assessed using a specific ELISA serological test. Four hundred and five patients from schistosomiasis-endemic regions were screened, of whom 51 (12. 6%) were female. Seropositivity prevalence was 54. 8%, but considering women alone we found a prevalence of 58. 8% (30 out of 51). The median age of the 51 women was 41. 0 years [IQR (35-48)] and the median period of residence in the European Union was 13 years [IQR (10-16)]. Schistosoma -positive women (N = 30) showed a higher prevalence of gynecological signs and symptoms compared to the seronegative women (96. 4 vs. 66. 6%, p = 0. 005). Among seropositive women, the median number of visits to Sexual and Reproductive Health unit prior to diagnosis of schistosomiasis was 41 [IQR (18-65)]. The high prevalence of signs and symptoms among seropositive women and number of previous visits suggest a high rate of underdiagnosis and/or delayed diagnosis of Schistosoma infection, particularly female genital schistosomiasis, among migrant females.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Female genital schistosomiasis ; Imported schistosomiasis ; Migrants females ; Neglected ; Migrants population in Europe ; Schistosomiasis in non-endemic countries
Published in:	Frontiers in Public Health, Vol. 10 (march 2022) , ISSN 2296-2565

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.778110
PMID: 35372213

6 p, 171.4 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles