Table 3 Age, location and language use of healthcare professionals

18–30

31, 39%

30–45

39, 48%

46–60

9, 11%

Region of origin

Responses n, %

Central

14, 17%

Northern

10, 13%

Southern

55, 70%

Experience

Responses n, %

less than 5

25, 32%

5–10

28, 35%

10–15

12, 15%

more than 15

14, 18%

Q2.1 Maternal Language

Responses n, %

Chichewa

32, 41%

ChiLomwe

16, 20%

ChiYao

11, 14%

ChiSena

7, 9%

ChiTumbuka, ChiNkhonde, ChiTonga

9, 11%

Ngoni

4, 5%

Question

Responses Category (n, %)

Q2.2 Language you speak most frequently

Chichewa (77, 97%)

Q2.3.1 Language of lectures

English (79, 100%)

Q2.3.2 Language of notes

English (74, 94%), Chichewa (5, 6%)

Q2.3.3 Lecturers switch between English and local languages

Yes (73, 92%), No (6, 8%)

Q2.3.3.1 Which local language is most used

Chichewa (76, 96%), Yao (1, 1 + %) English (1, 1 + %)

Q4.1 Doctors communicate among themselves about medical symptoms and diagnosis

Mixed (49, 62%) Only English (29, 37%) Only local languages (1, 1%)

Q4.2 Doctors write weekly/monthly reports

Mixed (2: 3%), Only English (77: 97%), Only local languages (0)

Q4.3 Conduct professional development activities

Mixed (37, 47%) Only English (42, 53%) Only local languages (0)

Q4.4 Talk to the patients

Mixed (36, 46%) Only English (0), Only local languages (43, 54%)

Q5.2. During consultation, do you explain medical terms to patients? If yes, in what language?

Yes, Chichewa (34, 43%), Yes, Mixed (14, 18%), Yes, English (3), Yes, Other Local Languages (1), No (28, 35%)