African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Access to tuberculosis care in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.","authors":"Kayla Appel, Faeez Nackerdien, Carmen S Christian","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4944","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue in South Africa, a high-burden TB country. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated challenges in accessing essential TB services. This scoping review explores how access to TB care was impacted during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This research aimed to review original studies on access to TB care in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic using a scoping review methodology.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong> A scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Five databases were systematically searched for original peer-reviewed research published between 2020 and 2022. Data were extracted and synthesised using the Penchansky and Thomas framework of healthcare access.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The review identified significant disruptions in TB service delivery during the pandemic, including reduced diagnostic capacity, healthcare facility closures and economic barriers. Patients reported delayed diagnoses and increased stigma, while healthcare workers faced resource shortages and operational challenges.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing barriers to TB care in South Africa, highlighting critical gaps in healthcare delivery. This review provides insights into the challenges faced and emphasises the need for resilient health systems to sustain TB care during future health crises. Contribution: This article highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB care access in South Africa, identifying key barriers across healthcare access dimensions and offering recommendations to improve TB care delivery during public health emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investment in family medicine to improve health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.","authors":"Sunanda C Ray, Mpundu Makasa, Innocent Besigye, Jacob S Shabani, Martha Makwero","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.5033","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.5033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Family physicians (FPs), as educators, capacity builders and clinical governance leaders of primary care (PC) teams, work to make them more effective and responsive to the needs of their patients. Various strategies are required to raise the profile of Family Medicine (FM) to ensure stronger representation in health sector planning and policy development for advocacy on behalf of the communities they serve. An illustration is given of the need for FP leaders to become equal partners in the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Planning process to ensure safer surgery at district hospitals and to address unmet surgical needs. Integrating FM teaching throughout undergraduate medical programmes familiarises graduates with FM as a possible career choice. Collaboration with professional FP associations such as in Botswana, Kenya and Zambia has helped to define and promote the discipline of FM, increasing public and professional awareness of the specialty's value. Promoting development of an FP scope of practice as a collaborative exercise between academic FPs and national associations assists in differentiating the roles of FPs versus non-specialist generalists. The new generation of young FPs has played a significant role in marketing FM globally, using social media platforms to support each other and to share information and best practices for managing themselves and their patients. Positioning multidisciplinary PC teams at the centre of health systems, with strong leadership from FPs, integrated people-centred care and evidence-based practices, could catalyse the intensity of change needed for more equitable, cost-effective and sustainable healthcare in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339829/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical trial methods for family medicine and primary care.","authors":"Robert Mash, Bolatito B Fatusin, Edith Madela-Mntla, Christopher Butler","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i2.5062","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i2.5062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article outlines the essential features of clinical trials for doctoral or early career researchers. The World Health Organization has recently emphasised the need for higher quality clinical trials, more trials from low- and middle-income countries, as well as primary care, more engagement with patients and communities and adoption of innovative trial designs. In sub-Saharan Africa, primary care researchers need to move beyond quasi-experimental and before-and-after designs to conduct randomised clinical trials. The article describes the key methodological requirements of a randomised controlled trial: the hypothesis, design, setting, recruitment, randomisation, sample size, intervention, assessment, results, interpretation and extrapolation. We also discuss the aspects of ethical and well-organised trials that respect study participants, engage with collaborative processes, have appropriate governance and transparent dissemination of results. Finally, we outline innovative designs such as step-wedge, clinical trial networks and adaptive platform designs.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 2","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339886/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The merit of rural point-of-care ultrasound: Carotid pseudoaneurysm case report.","authors":"Jan C Thirion, Daniël J Van Hoving","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4959","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4959","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are rare, comprising less than 4% of all peripheral artery aneurysms. Rural primary health care facilities often face significant challenges because of limited access to formal imaging. Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has the potential to bridge this gap, accelerating timely diagnosis and management in remote settings.</p><p><strong>Patient presentation: </strong> A 19-year-old male presented to a rural primary health care clinic in the Western Cape of South Africa with a 3-week history of left-sided neck swelling and recent odynophagia. Physical examination revealed a firm, pulsatile mass with an audible bruit.</p><p><strong>Management and outcome: </strong> Formal imaging was unavailable for several months, delaying surgical advice. However, the clinic's newly procured mobile ultrasound allowed for PoCUS, which identified a pulsatile vascular lesion consistent with a carotid pseudoaneurysm. Computed tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient was referred for tertiary care where the lesion was repaired. He had vasculitis on histology and exhibited inconclusive features of a connective tissue disorder, but a definitive cause was not found. Despite multiple attempts, he could not be contacted for follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> This case highlights how PoCUS can accelerate definitive management in resource-limited settings.Contribution: Point-of-care ultrasound is potentially an effective, cost-efficient diagnostic tool in rural healthcare settings but requires significant investment in equipment and training. Further research is needed to evaluate its feasibility in South African rural health systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339772/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utilisation of antibiotics in a community pharmacy: A case from north-west, South Africa.","authors":"Zanele Nsingo, Varsha Bangalee, Deanne Johnston","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4943","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Antibiotic utilisation is a growing public health issue due to antimicrobial resistance. Community pharmacies are a key access point for antibiotics; thus, an evaluation of dispensing records will provide insights into their use.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> To describe the utilisation of antibiotics in a private community pharmacy.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> This study was undertaken in a private pharmacy located in the North West province of South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A retrospective, cross-sectional study reviewed electronic dispensing records of oral antibiotics from January 2022 to August 2024, categorising them according to the World Health Organizations (WHO) Access, Watch and Reserve categories, generic status, diagnosis and payment methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 10 468 antibiotic dispensing records were analysed. Adults (18-64 years) accounted for the majority of prescriptions (80.7%; n = 8446). Overall, Access antibiotics were mostly dispensed (56.5%; n = 5910); however, azithromycin, a Watch antibiotic, was the most dispensed antibiotic (n = 1849). Notably, 82% (n= 8584) of prescriptions were linked to non-specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes. Generic medicines constituted 92.6% (n = 9694) of prescriptions. Although most patients (72.8%) used medical aid, cash-paying patients were more likely to be dispensed a generic antibiotic.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Antibiotic prescribing largely aligned with WHO guidelines; however, the high rate of Access antibiotics dispensed highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve prescribing practices and guideline adherence.Contribution: This case study indicates that dispensing records contribute to improved understanding of local antibiotic usage patterns that can help combat antimicrobial resistance within a community.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in people living with HIV at Senkatana Clinic Maseru.","authors":"Mosa S M Selebalo, Benjamin J Bryden, David M Thompson, Jill E Sanders","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4813","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4813","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension (HTN), have emerged among people living with HIV (PLHIV) as the most important prevalent contributors of non-AIDS-related mortality. Moreover, HTN itself is a modifiable risk factor for other CVDs. Data are limited regarding the prevalence of HTN and associated factors among PLHIV in Lesotho.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> To determine the prevalence of HTN and associated factors among PLHIV attending Senkatana ART Clinic.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was carried out at Senkatana ART Clinic in urban Maseru, Lesotho.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2022. Data were analysed using SAS statistical software (v9.4) and Microsoft Excel. To determine HTN prevalence, blood pressure (BP) was measured, and a questionnaire was administered to participants who were randomly selected using the lottery method from the clinic's daily attendance list. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with HTN in PLHIV while controlling for potentially confounding factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The prevalence of HTN was 57% (exact 95% CI: 51.2%, 62.7%). Of those with HTN, 33.3% were newly diagnosed during this study (exact 95% CI: 26.3%, 40.9%), while 69% of those previously diagnosed with HTN had uncontrolled HTN at enrollment (exact 95% CI: 60.0%, 77.6%). Age older than 50 years (p  0.0001) and a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 or higher (p  0.0002) were independently associated with HTN.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Hypertension was highly prevalent and poorly controlled. Factors associated with HTN in PLHIV were older age and higher BMI. The study's findings support models of comprehensive healthcare delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339869/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using places of worship to recruit and retain couples for the 'Diabetes Together' intervention.","authors":"Cathryn Pinto, Thandi Puoane, Darcelle Schouw, Buyelwa Majikela-Dlangamandla, Cynthia Paka, Kenneth Muhali, Ishaaq Datay, Peter Delobelle, Naomi Levitt, Nuala McGrath","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4947","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> There is a growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in South Africa and a high proportion of people have poor glycaemic control.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> Having developed 'Diabetes Together', a couples-based intervention to support diabetes self-management, we explored places of worship as potential options for recruiting couples in the community.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Places of worship in low-income settings in Cape Town, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Community entry involved approaching leadership of each place of worship to discuss the programme and our target of recruiting 15-20 eligible couples, where one partner was living with T2D. The research team and study were introduced to each congregation. Enrolment took place at the first of three intervention sessions. Attendance, participant feedback and facilitator observations were recorded. Recruitment and retention outcomes were summarised using descriptive statistics. Participant and facilitator feedback was deductively coded based on the evaluation questions and overarching themes identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The intervention was conducted in two churches and one mosque after engaging with leaders of six places of worship. A total of 37 people living with T2D were screened; 34 were eligible and had a self-reported T2D diagnosis, 32 partners were screened. Twenty-nine couples were eligible, and 24 couples enrolled. Retention was good across all three places, minimum 75% by session three. Participant and facilitator feedback revealed that participants gained new knowledge, reported having a positive attitude towards diabetes management and valued group interaction and open communication.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Recruitment of couples from places of worship in low-income settings in Cape Town was feasible under certain conditions. The intervention was acceptable and retention of couples for repeated sessions was high.Contribution: As there is limited evidence on using community settings like places of worship for diabetes management programmes, we present practical considerations for successful recruitment from these settings in South Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339833/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating referrals between rural district hospitals and a regional hospital in South Africa.","authors":"Kambola D Ngoie, Louis Jenkins, Johann Schoevers","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4956","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Efficient referral systems are essential for improving healthcare and patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings where access to public specialist care is limited by too few specialists, growing populations and constrained resources impacting non-emergency and emergency referrals. District hospitals (DHs) must ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of care. High-quality referral systems are necessary for the cost-effective flow of patients between district and regional hospitals (RHs).</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to evaluate emergency and non-emergency patient referral processes between DHs and the RH in two districts in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Ten DHs and the RH in the Garden Route and Central Karoo districts in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A mixed-methods design incorporated quantitative survey data and qualitative thematic analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of referral processes. The study population included all doctors working at 10 DHs and the RH, with 120 voluntary participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Key findings revealed disparities in referral satisfaction between emergency (66%) and non-emergency (59%) referrals. Communication breakdowns and systemic barriers hindered timely access to specialist care, mismatched expectations and understanding, coupled with inconsistent referral guidelines. Inadequate capacity building increased inappropriate referrals.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Communication breakdowns and differing expectations between DHs and the RH regarding available resources and services negatively impacted referrals. Improved communication, targeted outreach, capacity-building initiatives, stronger collaborative relationships and standardisation of processes could enhance patient referral efficiency.Contribution: This work adds new knowledge to patient referrals between rural district and regional hospitals in resource-limited contexts, highlighting the complexity of the referral process.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caregivers' lived experiences of childhood probable pneumonia through a gendered lens in western Kenya.","authors":"Sarah Hawi Ngere, Charles Olang'o, Kennedy Ochola, Patience Oduor, Caleb K Sagam, Benard Ochieng, Dickens Omondi, Norbert Peshu, Erick Nyambedha","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4758","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4758","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Gender intersects with multiple forms of socio-cultural, economic and health system factors to influence the overall care-seeking experiences of caregivers.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to understand the multiple gendered intersecting factors that shape women caregivers care-seeking experiences for children with probable pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was conducted in Karemo, Siaya County in western Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> In-depth interviews (IDI), participant observation and informal interviews were utilised. The IDI was conducted among purposively selected 12 caregivers out of which 11 were enrolled in participant observation. Data were managed and analysed using Dedoose and hermeneutic phenomenology, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Women juggle household chores, caregiving and income-generating activities, which sometimes led them to decline child's hospitalisation because of competing household responsibilities. At the hospital, women experienced long waiting times, poor communication, unfavourable conditions, unfriendly staff and lack of drugs. Some women reported challenges in accessing money from their husbands for their child's healthcare. They were often required to make difficult choices, such as prioritising work because of financial constraints, prioritising other children because of lack of external support, or opting for over-the-counter medication because of convenience, drug shortages or long waiting times at the hospital.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Lived experiences are shaped by women's daily realities and constraints. To improve women's caregiving experiences, a holistic approach that considers the multiple dimensions of caregivers' lives and gendered dynamics is recommended.Contribution: This study's findings emphasise the necessity of a holistic approach when developing intervention geared towards improving healthcare-seeking behaviour by considering the subtler factors beyond structural, social and economic influences.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339769/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring cancer knowledge and sources of information among the public: An analytical study.","authors":"Flemmings F Ngwira, Lusizi Kambalame, Wellman Kondowe, Jessie Mkandawire","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4820","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4820","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Malawi faces a heavy cancer burden because of high incidence and late-stage diagnoses, largely driven by low public awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to explore the cancer knowledge of cancer risk factors and early warning signs, and sources of information among the public.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> This study was conducted in four districts within the Southern Region of Malawi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> The study used a cross-sectional approach to elicit knowledge of cancer and sources of cancer information among a sample of 305 participants. Data were collected using a previously standardised Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM). Statistical data analyses were conducted using IBM® SPSS® statistics version 22.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs was found to be low, indicating a significant lack of public knowledge about cancer. The radio emerged as the most common medium of cancer information through which Malawians receive cancer information, followed by clinics and hospitals. Interestingly, many individuals perceived clinics - not the radio - as the primary source where they gained a clearer understanding of cancer information.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The study concludes that public knowledge of cancer in Southern Malawi is low and although radio is the main information source, clinics are more effective because of expert guidance.Contribution: This study identifies critical gaps in cancer awareness and understanding in Malawi, highlighting the need for improved and targeted communication strategies, particularly among vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339872/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}