Table 1. Summary of the recommendations for future research discussed during the BILGENSA Research Network to address the female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) research needs and priorities in endemic settings.

Research need	Recommendations for future research
	FGS	MGS
Raising awareness and knowledge	Provide further training to healthcare workers and patients on etiology, transmission, symptoms, screening, and management	Develop and disseminate educational and training material
Improving diagnostic capabilities	Validate and implement decentralized and field- deployable screening and diagnostic strategies for community-based surveillance at scale. Evaluate the scalability and cost-effectiveness of different screening and diagnostic strategies	Develop and validate accessible, scalable, and low-cost molecular test.
Developing standardized treatment guidelines	Conduct randomized control trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of praziquantel for FGS and MGS Develop and implement FGS/MGS specific treatment guidelines.
Integration of SRH screening strategies	Evaluate the integration of FGS within the wider schistosomiasis and SRH control guidelines.	Identify potential opportunities for integration of MGS into ongoing HIV interventions
Surveillance and monitoring	Develop routine and integrated surveillance of FGS Increase collaborative efforts and financial resources available to implement and expand FGS and MGS control strategies.