Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40961107›Full record

ArticlePLOS global public health2025

Acceptability and feasibility of integrating female genital schistosomiasis and sexual and reproductive health interventions in Kenya: A demonstration study.

Robinson Karuga, Millicent Ouma, Stephen Mulupi, Leora Pillay, Caroline Pensotti, Victoria Gamba, Christine Kalume, Delphine Schlosser, Isis Umbelino-Walker, Ronald Tibiita and 13 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLOS global public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

23 authors.

Robinson KarugaDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3249-5047
Millicent OumaDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
Stephen MulupiDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
Leora PillayDepartment of Programmes and Partnerships, Frontline AIDS, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Caroline PensottiExternal Technical Consultant, Bridges to Development, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
Victoria GambaIndependent Consultant, Nairobi, Kenya.
Christine KalumeDepartment of Programmes and Partnerships, Frontline AIDS, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Delphine SchlosserDepartment of Programmes and Partnerships, Frontline AIDS, Brighton, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7885-7640
Isis Umbelino-WalkerIndependent Consultant, Almere, The Netherlands.
Ronald TibiitaDepartment of Programmes and Partnerships, Frontline AIDS, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Florence WakeshoDivision of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
Paul NawiriDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
Patriciah JeckoniaDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
Thaddeus OwitiCounty Department of Health Services, Homa bay, Kenya.
Kariuki NjaanakeDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Hannah NduphaCounty Department of Health Services, Kwale, Kenya.
Jackson MuindeCounty Department of Health Services, Kwale, Kenya.
Nickson MugohaCounty Department of Health Services, Homa bay, Kenya.
Nana MafimboCounty Department of Health Services, Kwale, Kenya.
Hassan LeliCounty Department of Health Services, Kilifi, Kenya.
Amos NdengeCounty Department of Health Services, Kilifi, Kenya.
Lilian OtisoDepartment of Research and Strategic Information, LVCT Health, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0164-154X
Julie JacobsonManaging Partner, Bridges to Development, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected gynaecological condition that is a manifestation of chronic urogenital schistosomiasis. This disease has significant implications for the reproductive health and overall well-being of women and girls, especially in areas with limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). In Kenya, where urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic, the burden of FGS and how to best address it within existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services has not been fully explored. This mixed-methods study applied an implementation research approach to assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating FGS services into routine SRH interventions across public health facilities in three high schistosomiasis endemic counties in Kenya. The intervention included implementing a minimum service package, between December 2023 and December 2024, encompassing health literacy, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. A total of 8,856 women were screened for FGS, with an overall estimated positivity rate of 27.7% (95% CI [26.7, 28.7]). A quantitative survey with a subset of 1,041 clients revealed high acceptability of integration 98.8% (95% CI [98, 99.3]). Integration enabled diagnosis and highlighted a hidden burden of FGS. Qualitative findings revealed significant gaps in knowledge and awareness, stigma-related barriers, and the absence of standardised indicators in the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS), which hampers effective data collection, reporting, and resource planning, including procurement of praziquantel. These findings show the urgent need for health system improvements, including the integration of standardised FGS indicators into the KHIS, to support surveillance, preparedness, and equitable resource distribution, the need for inclusion of FGS within medical training curricula, and for normative clinical guidance on FGS. The evidence supports scaling up FGS-SRH integration and positions MCH clinics and outreach programs as critical entry points.

Identifiers

PMID40961107
PMCPMC12443286

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.