TY - JOUR
T1 - A literature review of schistosomiasis in Ghana
T2 - a reference for bridging the research and control gap
AU - Boateng, Enoch Mensah
AU - Dvorak, Jan
AU - Ayi, Irene
AU - Chanova, Marta
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/6/1
Y1 - 2023/6/1
N2 - Schistosomiasis is endemic in most sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana, where the need for effective control involving preventive chemotherapy was indicated by the WHO. Mass drug administration commenced in 2008 and has continued since then in Ghana, but the country remains highly endemic. Here, we review the literature on schistosomiasis to identify research and knowledge gaps potentially affecting disease control. A total of 100 Ghana-related schistosomiasis literature sources were reviewed, showing that most studies were conducted on epidemiology, control of transmission and diagnosis. By contrast, many aspects of this disease remain neglected, including livestock schistosomiasis and its zoonotic potential, recent distribution of disease vectors or widely overlooked genital schistosomiasis. Stratified by region, the highest number of studies focus on Greater Accra, while studies are limited or absent for several other regions. Although this review shows apparent progress in terms of schistosomiasis research and control, a considerable amount of work remains to achieve at least a reduction in the prevalence of the disease, which affects a significant proportion of the population. National epidemiological data based on a nationwide survey, integrated control and improved monitoring and evaluation must be ensured.
AB - Schistosomiasis is endemic in most sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana, where the need for effective control involving preventive chemotherapy was indicated by the WHO. Mass drug administration commenced in 2008 and has continued since then in Ghana, but the country remains highly endemic. Here, we review the literature on schistosomiasis to identify research and knowledge gaps potentially affecting disease control. A total of 100 Ghana-related schistosomiasis literature sources were reviewed, showing that most studies were conducted on epidemiology, control of transmission and diagnosis. By contrast, many aspects of this disease remain neglected, including livestock schistosomiasis and its zoonotic potential, recent distribution of disease vectors or widely overlooked genital schistosomiasis. Stratified by region, the highest number of studies focus on Greater Accra, while studies are limited or absent for several other regions. Although this review shows apparent progress in terms of schistosomiasis research and control, a considerable amount of work remains to achieve at least a reduction in the prevalence of the disease, which affects a significant proportion of the population. National epidemiological data based on a nationwide survey, integrated control and improved monitoring and evaluation must be ensured.
KW - Ghana
KW - disease control strategies
KW - mass drug administration
KW - neglected tropical disease
KW - schistosoma
KW - zoonosis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85163124550&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/trstmh/trac134
DO - 10.1093/trstmh/trac134
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85163124550
SN - 0035-9203
VL - 117
SP - 407
EP - 417
JO - Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
JF - Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
IS - 6
ER -