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Background: In Malawi, women in prisons make up 2.7% of the total prison population. However, the experiences of women incarcerated are not well documented in the literature. We aim to describe the experiences of women incarcerated in a Malawian prison facility. We will concentrate on the qualitative findings that highlight the unique perspectives of these women, including those in which they are imprisoned alongside their children, as well as the larger implications for child welfare and prison policy. Methods: A qualitative approach using descriptive study design was used to explore the experiences of incarcerated women in prisons in Malawi. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven incarcerated women (n = 7). The interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide, and the data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Results: The following four themes emerged from the data: the burden of conviction, prison as a traumatic environment, health insecurity and perceptions regarding release from prison. Participants reported that being convicted caused significant psychosocial stress. The incarcerated women stated that they are subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment. The prison conditions are poor. The nutrition is inadequate for both incarcerated women and their children. Incarcerated women look forward to their release, citing that they have been transformed and are optimistic about their new lives. Prison living made them calmer and more patient. Others express concern that the stigma of incarceration will inhibit their ability to reconnect with the community upon release. Conclusion: Understanding women's experiences in Malawian prisons can inform policy and improve standards of living for incarcerated women in Malawian prisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a cohort of children under 5 years of age with World Health Organization (WHO)-defined pneumonia and the factors associated with developing severe RSV-associated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in primary care in a single centre in Northern Malawi. Methods The BIOmarkers TO diagnose PnEumonia (BIOTOPE) study was a prospective cohort study conducted from March to June 2016 that took place in a primary care centre in Northern Malawi. Data from this study was used to identify the characteristics of children under 5 years of age who presented with RSV and WHO-defined CAP. Means, standard deviations, medians and ranges were calculated for continuous variables. A univariate logistic regression was performed to examine the potential predictor variables. Results Four hundred and ninety-four infants presented with CAP and were eligible for inclusion in the study; RSV infection was detected in 205 (41.6%) of the infants. Eight factors were associated with increased risk for RSV CAP in the univariate model: age, born at term, presenting for care in June, crowded living environment, not being exclusively breastfed, not having received zinc or vitamin A supplementation in the last six months. Infants with RSV were more likely to have an oxygen saturation ≤92% compared to infants with other causes of pneumonia and more likely to have severe pneumonia as defined by the WHO. Conclusion This study supports that RSV-associated CAP is linked to modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors; further research is indicated to determine which interventions would be most impactful. Developing and implementing an infant or maternal vaccine could be a cost-effective way to prevent RSV-associated CAP and mortality in developing nations. More research is needed to understand seasonal patterns of CAP and research over extended periods can offer valuable insights on host, environmental and pathogen-specific factors that contribute to RSV-associated CAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]