A sex and gender perspective for neglected zoonotic diseases

Fusco, Daniela; Martínez-Pérez, Guillermo Z.; Remkes, Aaron; Pascali, Alessandra Mistral De; Ortalli, Margherita; Varani, Stefania; Scagliarini, Alessandra

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.1031683

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Due to the neglected status of leptospirosis and the broader gap in sex-disaggregated CSIDs research, limited gender-specific data hinders our understanding of infection risks and behavioural exposures in women (10,22,48,49). To address this gap, qualitative focus group discussions segregated by gender may help to shape hypotheses surrounding exposures in women, which could subsequently be measured and tested in serosurveys (50).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While research employing a gender perspective to the study of leptospirosis remains scarce, several studies in the city of Salvador, Brazil, have suggested that behaviour may be an important determinant of the gender-specific risks associated with the disease (8,22,23). For example, a previous study used GPS to monitor residents’ mobility and found that men covered a larger area than women over a 24-hour period, as did infected male participants when compared with uninfected males (23).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gender differences in the perception of leptospirosis severity, behaviours, andLeptospiraexposure risk in urban Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Delight,

Santiago,

Palma

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Vulnerability to climate hazards and infectious diseases are not gender-neutral, meaning that men, women, boys, girls, and other gender identities experience different health risks. Leptospirosis, a zoonotic climate sensitive infectious disease, is commonly transmitted to humans via contact with animals and the environment, particularly soil and flood water. Gender differences in leptospiral infection risk are reported globally, with men consistently found to be at higher risk than women. However, the drivers of this difference in risk are poorly understood. Previous studies suggest that the interplay of knowledge, perceptions, and behaviours may shape differential infection risk among genders. Methodology/Principal Findings: To examine gender differences in Leptospira exposure risk we conducted a cross-sectional serosurvey among adult participants (n = 761) in four urban, marginalised, informal settlements in the city of Salvador, Brazil. We found that seroprevalence was 14.6% and 9.4% across men and women respectively. We then applied causal inference methodology to a two-part sex-disaggregated analysis to investigate: 1) the association of perceptions and behaviours with Leptospira seropositivity and 2) the association of perceptions with behaviours. We found that men who perceived leptospirosis as extremely serious had lower odds of seropositivity, walking through sewage water, or walking barefoot, suggesting an important link between perceptions, behaviours, and exposure risk. These associations were not found in women, and these behaviours were not associated with seropositivity in men or women. Conclusions: Our results highlight perceived severity of disease as a potential driver of behaviour in men, and perceptions of disease may be an important target for health education programs. Furthermore, our study identifies evidence gaps in the understanding of infection risks in women. As the first sex-disaggregated study investigating Leptospira infection risks, we advocate for a gendered lens in future studies to further understand risks specific to different gender identities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in the perception of leptospirosis severity, behaviours, andLeptospiraexposure risk in urban Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Delight,

Santiago,

Palma

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Zoonotic orthopoxviruses after smallpox eradication: A shift from crisis response to a One Health approach

De Pascali,

Brandolini,

Peli

et al. 2024

IJID One Health

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Prevalence and risk distribution of schistosomiasis among adults in Madagascar: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2023

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Background The goal to eliminate the parasitic disease of poverty schistosomiasis as a public health problem is aligned with the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development goals, including universal health coverage (UHC). Current control strategies focus on school-aged children, systematically neglecting adults. We aimed at providing evidence for the need of shifting the paradigm of schistosomiasis control programs from targeted to generalized approaches as key element for both the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem and the promotion of UHC. Methods In a cross-sectional study performed between March 2020 and January 2021 at three primary health care centers in Andina, Tsiroanomandidy and Ankazomborona in Madagascar, we determined prevalence and risk factors for schistosomiasis by a semi-quantitative PCR assay from specimens collected from 1482 adult participants. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to evaluate odd ratios. Results The highest prevalence of S. mansoni, S. haematobium and co-infection of both species was 59.5%, 61.3% and 3.3%, in Andina and Ankazomborona respectively. Higher prevalence was observed among males (52.4%) and main contributors to the family income (68.1%). Not working as a farmer and higher age were found to be protective factors for infection. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that adults are a high-risk group for schistosomiasis. Our data suggests that, for ensuring basic health as a human right, current public health strategies for schistosomiasis prevention and control need to be re-addressed towards more context specific, holistic and integrated approaches.

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A sex and gender perspective for neglected zoonotic diseases

Abstract: S and Scagliarini A ( ) A sex and gender perspective for neglected zoonotic diseases.

Cited by 5 publications

References 43 publications

Gender differences in the perception of leptospirosis severity, behaviours, andLeptospiraexposure risk in urban Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Gender differences in the perception of leptospirosis severity, behaviours, andLeptospiraexposure risk in urban Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Zoonotic orthopoxviruses after smallpox eradication: A shift from crisis response to a One Health approach

Prevalence and risk distribution of schistosomiasis among adults in Madagascar: a cross-sectional study

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