Mind The Gap : Healthprofessional’s relation to Female Genital Schistosomiasis - Exploring perspectives, politics and practices during treatment on lower reproductive health problems in a schistosomiasis endemic area

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to elucidate why thereis a gap between medical research conducted on the neglected tropical disease Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and work-related knowledge about the disease amongst professional nurses in the Ugu District, South Africa. The study is based on qualitative field work in three local governmental clinics in this area, and the purpose is to explore why there is such a gap and why the development of knowledge concerning FGS seems to stagnate despite a relatively high level of awareness related to its "twin disease", Urological Schistosomiasis which is commonly referred to as Bilharzia or Isichenene in Zulu.