Background Visualization of the lesions in the lower genital tract is the mainstay for diagnosis of the four lesions found in female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), but colposcopes are generally not available in low‐resource settings. Objective We sought to review handheld devices that could potentially be used for FGS diagnosis. Search strategy We searched Medline and Embase 2015–2019 for handheld devices used in cervical cancer screening and FGS diagnosis. Selection criteria We excluded studies that did not compare the device to standard‐of‐care colposcopes or histopathology. Main results and conclusion In 11 studies, four handheld colposcopes, two smartphones, and one compact digital camera were evaluated. Two handheld colposcopes were found to be potentially adequate for FGS diagnosis, namely Gynocular and Mobile ODT. The smartphones and digital camera did not have sufficient magnification to diagnose grainy sandy patches, one of the FGS lesion types. Customized software should be made to support the diagnosis of both FGS and cervical neoplasia. Real‐time postgraduate training and quality control should be considered in future studies of handheld colposcopes. For patients from schistosomiasis endemic areas, we recommend that handheld devices are used for FGS. Studies are needed to determine which of the two devices is most adequate for FGS diagnosis in schistosomiasis endemic areas.
BackgroundSchistosomiasis affects 261 million people worldwide, most of them in Africa. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) may cause abnormal vaginal discharge, contact bleeding, genital tumours, infertility, ectopic pregnancies and increased susceptibility to HIV. Visualisation of lesions is the key to diagnosis but there is little knowledge about FGS among health professionals. In order to facilitate the use of the WHO pocket atlas for FSG, we present an e-learning module for medical students in endemic areas. The e-learning material is usable on smartphones, and in areas with low internet speed.MethodsTwo FGS atlases form the platform for the e-learning: The First Colposcopic Atlas of Schistosomiasis in the Lower Female Genital Tract (Norseth et al. 2014) and The WHO Pocket Atlas for FGS (WHO, 2015). Actors were recruited for demonstration of the examination techniques. Medical students were approached to explore their current e-learning platforms. Website creators of two existing e-learning modules were invited to collaborate. The project is part of a larger project that was granted permissions by the Biomedical Research Ethics Administration, University of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa.ResultsA new e-learning tool is presented: all lesions, history taking and the examination techniques for identification of FGS are shown. There is a post-learning quiz for self-evaluation. Medical students in an endemic area were asked to give a qualitative evaluation on the learning outcome.ConclusionsThere is a need to raise the index of suspicion for FGS as a differential diagnosis among health care professionals. This e-learning may contribute to the dissemination of knowledge of FGS to all health care professionals who can access the internet when furthering knowledge in clinical practice. Furthermore, there is a need to disseminate knowledge to professionals who may not be using the internet.
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