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Authors
Galappaththi-Arachchige, Hashini Nilushika https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0273-3959
Zulu, Siphosenkosi G.
Kleppa, Elisabeth
Lillebo, Kristine
Qvigstad, Erik
Ndhlovu, Patricia
Vennervald, Birgitte Jyding
Gundersen, Svein Gunnar
Kjetland, Eyrun Floerecke
Taylor, Myra
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Funding
Funding for this research was provided by:
European Research Council (PIRSES-GA-2010-269245)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPPGH5344)
Norwegian Research Council (213702)
South-Eastern Regional Health Authority (2014065 and 2016055)
Oslo University Hospital
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Article History
Received: 21 September 2017
Accepted: 2 August 2018
First Online: 15 August 2018
Ethics approval and consent to participate
: All participants were above 16 years of age and signed individual, written informed consent, according to South African legislation. Parents were informed about the study. The participants were made aware of their right to withdraw at any time during the study. The study was approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC), University of KwaZulu-Natal (Ref BF029/07), KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (Reference HRKM010-08) and the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REC), South Eastern Norway (Ref 469-07066a1.2007.535). The Departments of Health and Education in Ugu, Ilembe and Uthungulu districts, KwaZulu-Natal, gave permission for this study. The ethical committees, BREC (annual renewal) and REC, were aware that minors (aged 16 and 17) were participating in the study and specifically approved independent minor consent without parental consent. Each participant was assigned a unique identification number to ensure privacy and to keep the study data confidential. The same identification numbers were used for lab results and colposcopic images.We followed the South African syndromic protocol to diagnose and treat clinical signs and findings at the point of care. The current study area is categorized as moderately endemic for schistosomiasis according to the World Health Organization (prevalence of 10–50%), and all consenting participants received a single oral dose of 40 mg praziquantel per kg []. HIV testing was undertaken according to the South African Department of Health protocol and pre-and post testing counselling was offered to all participants. Anti-retroviral treatment is provided at no cost in South African health facilities and participants if HIV positive were referred for treatment to the local facilities.
: All authors’ consent for publication.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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