Abstract:
Over a quarter of the world’s population are at risk of
parasitic infections. The majority of these infections are
confined to the world’s poverty belt, which is largely in sub-
Saharan Africa. Dangerous, debilitating and chronic infections
add to the burden of people already disadvantaged by
poverty. Women constitute over 67% of the total population of
Africa, and they suffer the most from the effects of poverty.
Thus, a focus on African women is vital. While HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria are well known, the so called “big
three” with substantive efforts to prevent and control these
infections in communities, there are many lesser known
infections that cause persistent morbidity. “Neglected tropical
diseases” (NTDs) are the tropical infections once the “big
three” have been taken out.
