CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF FEMALE GENITAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) remains a poorly recognized public health problem in Kogi State and Nigeria at large. A cross-sectional descriptive study focusing on clinical assessment was conducted to determine the prevalence and clinical manifestation of FGS among 222 females (15–49 years) from 13 communities across three LGAs of Kogi State between December 2024 and May 2025. Colposcopy was used to identify lesions consistent with FGS. Clinical examination revealed that 80.2% symptomatic women were positive for FGS. The predominant lesions observed were abnormal blood vessels (51.8%), homogenous sandy patches (24.8%), and grainy sandy patches (23.4%). There was no statistically significant association between age and FGS status (p = 0.297). but there was statistical significant difference in the prevalence of FGS across the three LGAs (p < 0.000001). Even though other gynecological 
conditions with similar colposcopic appearances could not be completely excluded, these findings highlight a substantial disease burden, low awareness and knowledge, emphasizing the need for integrated control strategies, targeting community-based 
health education and inclusion of females of reproductive age in schistosomiasis control programme.