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Category: Project

Description: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects 250 million people globally, with 90% of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal schistosomiasis, which is associated with enlarged liver/spleen, liver fibrosis, and portal hypertension. Alcohol use is also on the rise in many sub-Saharan African populations, resulting in an increased risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) among other health issues. Currently, the co-occurrence of schistosomiasis and diseases related to alcohol use in humans, and the potential interactions between these diseases, is poorly understood. The systematic scoping review described in this protocol will aim to identify causal relationships between disease outcomes and co-occurring schistosome infection and alcohol use that have been described in the literature. Another aim is to highlight the gaps in the existing evidence, which will inform future research directions in researching non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and schistosomiasis.