Female genital schistosomiasis is a women’s issue, but men should not be left out: involving men in promoting care for female genital schistosomiasis in mainland Tanzania

• Published in: Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Valencia J. Lambert, Anna Samson, Dunstan J. Matungwa, Agnes L. Kosia, Rhoda Ndubani, Marriam Hussein, Khumbo Kalua, Amaya Bustinduy, Bonnie Webster, Virginia A. Bond, Humphrey D. Mazigo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024
• Subjects: female genital schistosomiasis; male involvement; FGS services; sexual and reproductive health; Tanzania; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1333862; https://doaj.org/article/88b8ccf66c774f578ef857f2debc381a

ObjectivesFemale Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) causes gynecologic symptoms among women and girls living in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite continued efforts to raise awareness in communities about schistosomiasis, FGS remains poorly recognized. This study aimed to understand men’s knowledge and perceptions of FGS in northwestern Tanzania, and how this affects or can promote women’s uptake of FGS services.Design and methodsWe conducted a qualitative, formative survey called “Broad Brush Survey” (BBS) using 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 29 key informant interviews in five (5) districts across three regions in northwestern Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected in collaboration with village leaders and provided a written consent and/or assent to participate and be voice recorded. They included adolescent girls and boys (15-20 years), adult women and men (21-45 years), older women and men (≥46 years), village leaders (village chairpersons and executive officers), community health workers (CHWs), traditional healers, retail drug sellers, religious leaders, and opinion leaders (influential women and men). This analysis focuses and draws on 18 FGDs and 19 KIIs in which participants discussed or explained the importance and potential role of men in promoting FGS care.ResultsMost participants were not aware of FGS. Despite having adequate knowledge about urogenital schistosomiasis, they perceived FGS to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Three main themes emerged during analysis. First, most men reported perceiving women suffering from FGS as “promiscuous” or “unfaithful” due to misperceiving FGS as an STI. Such misperception could result in men ending a relationship. Second, participants reported that their engagement in FGS interventions would be critical to the interventions’ effectiveness because men often regulate women’s access to healthcare. Third, participants argued that men could be empowered through education to promote women’s uptake of FGS services. Finally, they argued that if men are ...