Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42535654›Full record

ArticleMycoses2026

Foot Mycoses Among Tanzanian Footballers: A Clinico-Epidemiological Study.

Andrew Mhando, Roderick Hay, Erick Kitira, Alya Said, Mike Mboneko, Ousmane Faye, Kamilya Mzee, Millcent M Nyange, Angela Mushi, Rune Nathaniel Philemon and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Mycoses, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Andrew MhandoDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2327-1977
Roderick HaySt. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, London, UK.
Erick KitiraDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Alya SaidDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Mike MbonekoDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Ousmane FayeDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Kamilya MzeeDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Millcent M NyangeDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Angela MushiDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.
Rune Nathaniel PhilemonRegional Dermatological Training Center, Moshi, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4054-0760
Charles MuiruriDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Daudi MavuraDepartment of Dermatology, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSuperficial foot mycoses (SFM), including onychomycosis and tinea pedis, are common fungal infections among athletes, particularly professional footballers, owing to repetitive trauma, occlusive footwear, communal facilities, and hygiene practices. These infections may cause discomfort, nail deformity, and impaired athletic performance.

objectivesTo determine the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and factors associated with SFM among professional footballers in the Tanzanian Premier League between 13th August 2024 to 12th August 2025.

methodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 314 professional footballers from 13 Premier League clubs (9 males and 4 females). Clinical examinations and KOH microscopy were performed at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklists. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with SFM.

resultsThe overall prevalence of SFM was 36.9%. Onychomycosis occurred in 17.2%, tinea pedis in 12.4%, and co-infections in 7.3%. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (16.9%) and interdigital tinea pedis (12.4%) were the predominant clinical forms. Inter-toe maceration (48.3%), toenail dystrophy (45.7%), and itchiness (44.0%) were the most frequent symptoms. Significant associated factors included toenail trauma (APR = 2.00, p < 0.001), sharing socks (APR = 1.42, p = 0.032), communal shower use (APR = 2.98, p = 0.007), and family history of SFM (APR = 1.57, p = 0.001).

conclusionSFM is highly prevalent among Tanzanian Premier League footballers. Modifiable hygiene practices and environmental exposures significantly increase infection risk, highlighting the need for targeted health education, improved sanitation, and routine screening programs.

Indexed as

AthletesFootballFoot DermatosesOnychomycosisAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsSoccerSurveys and QuestionnairesTanzaniaTinea Pedisonychomycosissuperficial foot mycosesTanzania premier leaguetinea pedis

Identifiers

PMID42535654
PMCPMC13426039

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.