Research project on female schistosomiasis receives record-breaking funding

Research project on female schistosomiasis receives record-breaking funding

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a disease that affects millions of women but is often misdiagnosed as a cancer or sexually transmitted disease. This leads to unnecessary surgeries, social sanctions and ruined lives.

The disease itself is easy to treat if diagnosed correctly.”

Hanne Haaland, Project Manager, University of Agder

UiA is now participating in a project led by Oslo University Hospital, which has received NOK 80 million from the EU research framework program Horizon Europe. Never before has a single project on this disease received so much funding.

"These funds make it possible to find solutions for millions of women who live with pelvic problems every day. This project will change the lives of many people," says project manager Eyrun Kjetland, a doctor at Oslo University Hospital.

A misdiagnosis leads to incorrect treatment

In Africa, around 300 million girls and women are at risk of developing female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). The disease is caused by parasitic Schistosoma worms that live in freshwater and infect through the skin.

The symptoms of FGS can be similar to those of cervical cancer, which affects 400 million women in Africa. Incorrect treatment is common. At the same time, the symptoms can easily be confused with sexually transmitted diseases, which can have significant negative effects on young girls.

FGS is also a risk factor for contracting HIV.

The project is called Dualsave-FGS because the aim is to save women from both the parasitic disease and cervical cancer by ensuring correct diagnosis and treatment.

Use of smartphones

There are four changes in the uterus that show whether it is FGS or cancer. However, without many years of experience, it is not easy to recognize them with the naked eye.

“By analyzing images taken during gynecological examinations, a computer can make the correct diagnosis, but this requires advanced equipment that is not widely used in Africa,” says Svein Gunnar Gundersen.

He is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Global Development and Planning at UiA. Gundersen has been researching schistosomiasis for over forty years.

To make diagnostics possible in rural Africa, researchers from the University of Crete and the life science company QCELL have developed a mini colposcope that can be connected to a smartphone. A colposcope is an instrument used for gynecological examinations.

The images are then analyzed by a smartphone app developed by QCELL to make a correct diagnosis.

“If this works, the goal is to mass-produce these devices as easily and inexpensively as possible,” says Gundersen.

Long history at UiA

The University of Agder's role in the project includes, among other things, the development of an app-based training course for gynecologists and medical professionals. The course trains you in the diagnosis and treatment of FGS. Associate Professor Santiago Martinez is associated with the Center for E-Health at UiA and will be responsible for this part.

The project will also record how the women examined and health workers experience the use of this diagnostic method. The project will employ two PhD Research Fellows who will investigate this. You will be enrolled in the doctoral program of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UiA and supervised by Associate Professor Hanne Haaland, among others.

Research on FGS has a long history at UiA. Back in 2010, a cooperation agreement was signed between UiA, the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa and several other universities. The agreement concerned participation in an international partnership to research medical aspects related to FGS. In the early years, this research was funded by the Gates Foundation, the EU and the Norwegian Research Council.

The new four-year project started in August 2022.

Source:

University of Agder

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