Malawi Medical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Predictors of Students’ Performance in Nursing and Midwifery Technician Licensure Examination in Southern Malawi","authors":"Mc Geofrey Mvula, Annie Msosa","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v35i2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v35i2.6","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionSuccess in the nursing and midwifery licensure examination is the only legal prerequisite to practice as a nurse and midwife in Malawi. However, the past decade has registered poor performance of students in Nursing and Midwifery Technician (NMT) licensure examinations for candidates who failed on the first attempt. The study sought to unravel whether students’ socio-demographic and academic characteristics could predict NMT licensure examination performance on the first attempt.Methods We conducted a quantitative ex post facto using stratified random sampling. We reviewed 280 former NMT licensure exam candidate records from 2013 to 2017 with a study population of 2,668 NMTs. We reported descriptive statistics and used Chi-square / Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression to determine the significance of associations and predictors respectively. ResultsWe found that the NMT licensure examination could be predicted by students’ academic characteristics, especially entry Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) point scores [p < 0.001, OR 0.830, 95% CI (0.771-0.892)], and exit college final scores [p < 0.001, OR 1.214, 95% CI (1.131-1.303)]. We established that students’ socio-demographic characteristics like age [χ2 (2, N =280) =13.143, p < 0.001], and marital status [χ2 (1, N = 280) = 5.645, p = 0.018] were significantly associated with NMT licensure examination performance but were not predictors of NMT licensure examination outcome. Furthermore, we did not find any association between NMT licensure examination performance and the sex of the students [χ2 (1, N = 280) = 0.523, p = 0.470]. ConclusionNMT licensure examinations performance predictors are academic variables like entry MSCE and exit college final scores. Consequently, teaching institutions should frame relevant admission criteria, and timely support the students at risk of failure in licensure exams.","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"76 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135066073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fatigue has a prominent impact on health lasting 12-weeks after COVID-19 infection","authors":"Birsen Pınar Yıldız, Didem Görgün Hattatoğlu, Cihan Aydin, Gülnihal Darçın","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v35i2.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v35i2.9","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundWhile the amount of information on many issues related to COVID-19 has increased, the long-term consequences of illness and disability remain largely unclear. In previous studies on COVID-19 infections, long-lasting functional and symptomatic abnormalities have also been shown. It is predicted that survivors of COVID-19 may have to deal with physical or psychological problems later.Aim We aimed to evaluate long-lasting symptoms including fatigue and investigate the associated risk factors.Methods In this prospective cohort study, 132 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were previously diagnosed and admitted 13±1 weeks after diagnosis were included. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) – Fatigue Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale were applied in the follow-up visit.ResultsThe median age of the patients (76 male, 56 female) was 52. Eighty (61%) of the patients were hospitalized, while 52 (39%) of them were not hospitalized. At least one symptom persisted in 103 (78%) patients, with fatigue (n=48, 36%) being the most common symptom. Both dyspnea and fatigue were more prominent in women than in men (34% vs. 11%, p=0.001 and 46% vs 29%, p=0.03; respectively). Persisted symptoms including fatigue were not significantly associated with hospitalization status. The FACIT scores of the patients at 12 weeks were positively associated with their depression and anxiety levels (R: 0.55, p=0.0001 and R: 0.42, p=0.0001), while they were negatively associated with their IADL scores (R: -0.25, p=0.004).Conclusions Fatigue was the most frequent persistent symptom. The initial fatigue scores were higher in the severely ill patients. Persistent fatigue was not associated with disease severity but was closely associated with anxiety and depression.","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136368990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A survey of ORF8 sequence and immunoinformatics features during alpha, delta, and wild type peaks of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Iran","authors":"Alireza Tabibzadeh, Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya, Hossein Keyvani, Sajad Karampoor, Parastoo Yousefi, Mohammad Hossein Razizadeh, Leila Mousavizadeh, Maryam Esghaei","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v35i2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v35i2.5","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic influences all around the world. The SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 accessory gene represents multiple functions in virus-host interaction. The current study aimed to compare the ORF8 substitutions and epitope features of these substitutions in the various SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks including delta, alpha, and wild type variants in Iran from 2020 to 2022. In addition, we evaluate B cell, HLA I and II epitopes, by in-silico approach to ORF8 binding site prediction.MethodsThe samples were collected from patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via a real-time PCR assay. Then, a conventional PCR was carried out for ORF8 mutations analysis and further Sanger sequencing. Possible important alterations in epitope features of the ORF8 were evaluated by epitope mapping. B cell, HLA class I and II epitopes, evaluated by online databases ABCpred, NetMHCpan-4.1, and NetMHCIIpan-3.2, respectively.Results The current study results could not represent novel variations in seven full-length ORF8 sequences or major ORF8 deletions in 80 evaluated samples. In addition, we could not find any ORF8 Δ382 during each outbreak of variants. Epitope mapping represents differences between the Alpha and other variants, especially in B cell potential epitopes and HLA I.ConclusionThe immunoinformatic evaluation of ORF8 suggested epitopes represent major differences for the Alpha variant in comparison with other variants. In addition, having mild pathogenesis of the Omicron variant does not seem to be associated with ORF8 alteration by phylogenetic evaluation. Future in-vitro studies for a clear conclusion about the epitope features of ORF8 are required.","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136369112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of Physiotherapy students about their teaching environment at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi","authors":"Grace Mukoka- Bwezani, Nesto Tarimo, Enock Madalitso Chisati, Emma Thomson","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v35i2.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v35i2.8","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionThe learning environment is defined as an environment where teaching is taking place, as perceived by both students and teachers. A conducive learning environment is critical for successful curriculum implementation, which also affects students’ academic performance. There have been initiatives introduced to improve the learning environment at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). The purpose of this study was to ascertain physiotherapy final year students’ perceptions of their learning environment at KUHeS in Malawi.MethodologyThis study was conducted at KUHeS among final-year physiotherapy students. A retrospective, quantitative cross-sectional design was used. The study utilised secondary data on education environment which had already been collected using Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) forms. There were 26 completed DREEM forms for 2019/2020 academic year. Demographic data were captured. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the DREEM scores. Inferential analysis was conducted with p-value set at ≤ 0.05. Results The total DREEM mean score was 120/200 which represented a positive perception of students learning environment. Students’ academic self-perception scored the highest (69.13%), followed by students’ perception of learning (61.94%), students’ social self-perception (59.46%), students’ perception of atmosphere (56.25), and students’ perception of teachers (55.50%). Married students had negative perceptions (p-value = 0.05) of their teachers and students with previous college experience had positive perceptions of their academic performance (p-value = 0.02). Many statements under items of perception of teachers (mean score = 24) and social self-perceptions (mean score = 16) were considered negatively. ConclusionStudents in their final year of physiotherapy had positive perceptions of their learning environment. However, students’ perceptions of their teachers and social life were low. The learning environment had a significant impact on married students and those who had no prior experience with college life. Faculty development initiatives should aim to improve these critical areas.","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136369269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Indications, risk factors, and outcomes of emergency peripartum hysterectomy: A 7-year retrospective study at a tertiary center in Turkey.","authors":"Tayfun Vural, Burak Bayraktar, Suna Yildirim Karaca, Ceren Golbasi, Ozan Odabas, Cuneyt Eftal Taner","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v35i1.7","DOIUrl":"10.4314/mmj.v35i1.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the incidence, indications, the risk factors, complications, maternal morbidity and mortality of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH), and perinatal outcomes at a tertiary hospital, Turkey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed 71 cases of EPH from 2012 to 2019 at a tertiary hospital in a retrospective study. There were 142 control patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 71 EPH out of 69,504 deliveries, for an overall incidence of 1.02 per 1000 births. The main indication for peripartum hysterectomy was abnormal placentation (67.6%), followed by uterine atony (28.1%), and uterine rupture (4.2%). Cesarean section (CS) and previous CS are major risk indicators for EPH. Other risk indicators are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. All patients with abnormal placentation had a previous CS. 93% of EPH were performed during and/or after CS, and 7% after vaginal delivery. 69% of EPH were made in total and 31% were subtotal. The three most common maternal morbidity included: wound infection and febrile morbidity (26.7%), bladder injury (16.9%), and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (11.2%). There were no maternal deaths but perinatal mortality was 4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The most common indication for EPH was abnormal placentation. Also, CS and previous CS are major risk factors of EPH. Other risk factors for EPH are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. Moreover, all unnecessary CS should be avoided.</p>","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"31-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10645903/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42167219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors for Falls among older adults in a primary care facility in Ghana.","authors":"Madison Adanusa, Seth Kofi Pobee, Ebenezer Zaabaar, Vukey Mawuko, Kofi Asiedu, Solomon Kweku Amuzu, Wendy Adubofour, Celestine Bazayeya, Ethel Enam Yawo Senaya, Desiree Citsofe Ofori, Samuel Kyei","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v34i4.1","DOIUrl":"10.4314/mmj.v34i4.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Falls are a serious problem and are among the leading causes of morbidity, functional dependency, and death in older adults. Falls have become a social and global public health concern due to the current aging population in Africa and across the globe. However, their prevalence and risk factors have received little attention in Africa.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Thus, this study aimed to provide a baseline survey to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for falls among older adults attending a primary care facility in Cape Coast, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants (n = 244) were patients aged 60 years and older who visited the University of Cape Coast Hospital. The prevalence of falls identified in this hospital-based study was 40.2%. The following independent variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of risk of falls among the participants when compared with their respective reference categories; age 80 years and above [OR = 3.707, 95% CI = 1.738 - 7.907, p = 0.001], participants who had a history of falls [OR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.326 - 3.765, p = 0.003], participants with three or more co-morbidities [OR = 16.456, 95% CI = 2.099 - 129.020, p = 0.008] and obesity [OR = 2.211, 95% CI = 1.151 - 4.250, p = 0.017].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of falls among older adults is high. Thus, clinicians in the primary care setting should screen for, give fall prevention education, and prescribe appropriate interventions to at-risk patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"225-230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10645823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41679112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge of senior secondary school students in Nigeria about Head and Neck Cancer: Implications on prevention strategies.","authors":"Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi,&nbsp;Omotayo Francis Fagbule,&nbsp;Mike Eghosa Ogbeide,&nbsp;Kayode Emmanuel Ogunniyi,&nbsp;Taiwo Oyebamiji Isola,&nbsp;Victor Okpe Samuel,&nbsp;Emmanuel Onyemaechi Aliemeke,&nbsp;Habeeb Omoponle Adewuyi","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v34i3.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v34i3.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The high prevalence of the risk factors of head and neck cancer (HNC) amongst senior secondary (high) school students in Nigeria is an issue of serious public health concern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of HNC among them.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study surveyed 2,530 senior secondary school students in Nigeria, assessed their knowledge of HNC, using a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 16.34 (±2.0) years. More than half (1418; 56.6%) of them were males, 530 (20.9%) were schooling in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, 1,860 (73.5%) were in public schools, 554 (21.9%) were boarding students, and 817 (33.5%) were in Senior Secondary (SS) 3 class. Only 789 (31.2%) respondents were aware of HNC, out of which: 69.2% of them had below-average scores in their overall assessment on HNC; 256 (32.4%) had ever received education on HNC and 81.2% indicated a positive interest in knowing more about HNC. The factors predicting above-average score on knowledge about HNC among the respondents were: being in SS3 class (OR=1.73; 95% CI=1.17 - 2.56), having been educated about HNC (OR=1.69; 95%CI=1.21 - 2.35) and having the interest to know more about HNC (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.21 - 2.92). Bivariate analysis showed that these factors had statistically significant association (or relationship) with above-average score on knowledge about HNC (pvalues<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Majority of the surveyed students were willing to know more about HNC. The use of a properly planned massive school-based HNC education programs may go a long way in educating this population group on HNC.</p>","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"34 3","pages":"162-169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/9e/85/MMJ3403-0162.PMC9641603.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10450095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The 2022 Malawi Polio outbreak.","authors":"Penjani Chunda,&nbsp;Mike N Chisema,&nbsp;Annie Mwale,&nbsp;Dzinkambani Kambalame,&nbsp;Daniel Mapemba,&nbsp;Adamson S Muula","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v34i3.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v34i3.14","url":null,"abstract":"After 30 years of no polio cases reported in Malawi, on 17th February 2022, the government declared a polio outbreak following a confirmed 4-year-old child case of the disease in the nation’s capital, Lilongwe. \u0000This was the first case of wild poliovirus in Africa in more than five years after Africa was declared free of indigenous wild polio in August 2020. Laboratory analysis showed that the strain detected in Malawi was linked to that which had been circulating in Sindh Province of Pakistan.","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"34 3","pages":"223-224"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f2/76/MMJ3403-0223.PMC9641612.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10450537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An audit of Heart failure management among ambulatory adult patients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Malawi.","authors":"Emmanuel S Mwabutwa,&nbsp;Steve Kateta,&nbsp;Louis Kinley,&nbsp;Tadala Ulemu,&nbsp;Patrick Goodson,&nbsp;Adamson S Muula,&nbsp;Johnstone Kumwenda","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v34i3.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v34i3.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are limited data on the clinical characteristics and use of guideline directed medical therapy among patients with heart failure in Malawi. We conducted a study to assess patient characteristics and clinical management given to heart failure patients at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital in Malawi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a cross sectional study, patients with a diagnosis of heart failure who were followed up in the adult chest clinic at QECH were recruited to ascertain their characteristics and the therapy they were receiving. Echocardiograms and electrocardiograms were performed to identify abnormalities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 79 patients were recruited and 62% (49 out of 79) were female. The median age was 60 years (IQR 40.5-70.5). Most patients were hypertensive with NYHA (New York Heart Association) class I and II symptoms. Left ventricular(LV) systolic dysfunction was found in 55% (36 out of 65), with 68% (39 out of 65) having features of left ventricular remodeling. Most patients were on at least a single neurohormonal drug with 77% (61 out of 79) on ACEI (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), 52% (42 out of 79) on a beta blocker and 34%(27 out of 79) on aldosterone antagonists. The recommended doses of medications were achieved in 14% (9 out 61), 24% (10 out 42), 22% (6 out of 27) on ACEI, beta blockers and aldosterone antagonists respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hypertension is the commonest comorbidity in patients with heart failure, who are mostly females with NYHA class I or II symptoms. Most had LV remodeling changes and are on at least one neurohormonal antagonist but most remain sub optimally treated.</p>","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"34 3","pages":"170-175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/6f/45/MMJ3403-0170.PMC9641614.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10456389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of performance enhancing substance use among elite football players in two super league teams in Blantyre, Malawi.","authors":"Enock M Chisati,&nbsp;Dorothy Undi,&nbsp;Samuel Ulili,&nbsp;Sarai Nkhoma,&nbsp;Mathews Mlongoti","doi":"10.4314/mmj.v34i3.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v34i3.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Use of performance enhancing substances (PES) is common among athletes with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 5% to 31%. There has been little knowledge of PES use in African athletes with no available data for Malawian football players. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PESs use among elite football players in two super league teams in Blantyre, Malawi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two super league football teams in Blantyre, Malawi. A modified standard questionnaire obtained from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Social science research package was administered to collect data from a convenient sample of 43 elite football players on the characteristics of participants, prevalence of PESs use and reasons for using PES. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 86 eligible football players, 43 with a mean age of 24 ± 4 years participated in the study. Many players (60%) had secondary education as their highest level of education and most players (86%) had played football for more than five years. Out of 43 participants, 39 (91%) had been using PESs while four (9%) had never used PESs. Out of 13 substances, caffeine (77%), herbal products (40%), and energy bars (40%) were the commonly used PESs while cocaine (2%) was the least used substance among the players. Improving performance was the most common reason (81%) why participants were using PESs followed by increase in lean body mass (35%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of PESs use among elite football players in two super league teams in Blantyre, Malawi is high. The most used PES are caffeine, herbal products and energy bars. Participants mainly use PESs for improved performance in football. Therefore, awareness among elite football athletes and stakeholders on adverse health effects of PES use should be promoted.</p>","PeriodicalId":18185,"journal":{"name":"Malawi Medical Journal","volume":"34 3","pages":"157-161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2f/1f/MMJ3403-0157.PMC9641604.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10451815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}