Table 1.

Background characteristics of research participants.

Characteristics	Afana	Asante	Gwetsani	Tinkanena	Ipenza	Chaona	Dambwa
Sex	M	M	M	F	F	F	M
Age	30	40	32	43	28	38	>50
Qualification	MSCE a	MSCE	MSCE	MSCE	MSCE	MSCE	Postgraduate
Professional Training	HAS b	AEHO c	AEHO	HSA	AEHO	HSA	Public Health
Length of training	11 wks	3 yrs	3 yrs	11 wks	3 yrs	8 wks	6 yrs
Professional Training	HSA	AEHO	AEHO	HSA	AEHO	HSA	Public Health
Working for	MOH d	MOH	MOH	MOH	MOH	MOH	Intern. NGO
Years worked	4	16	6	7	2	10	>10

^a Malawi School Certificate of Education; ^b Health Surveillance Assistant; ^c Assistant Environmental Health Officer; ^d Ministry of Health.