A SYNOPTIC INVENTORY OF NEEDS FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN AND TROPICAL PARASITIC DISEASES .1. APPLICATION TO URINARY AND INTESTINAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS

The determinants of major parasitic infections in women have never bee n studied systematically. Much work remains to be done before vital ga ps in our knowledge will be filled. The protocol presented here catego rizes the determinants of parasitic diseases, and functions as an inve ntory for research needs and priorities. In this paper, the synoptic i nventory is tested by matching it against the scientific knowledge of schistosomiasis that is at hand. Available data and existing lacunae a re discussed. We conclude that the environmental, economic, socio-cult ural, nutritional, genetic, biological and immunological factors which determine schistosomiasis in women are largely unknown. There is an u rgent need for systematic and interdisciplinary investigations before appropriate and sustainable interventions can be initiated.