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Comparison between Hospital Brand Images of Public versus that of Private Hospitals in Kinondoni – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Get PDFThe study compared the brand image of public and private hospitals in Kinondoni Municipal Council, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study used a sample size of 384 respondents. Quantitative analysis was used to analyze data using SPSS whereby descriptive analysis and compared mean test was used in interpreting the study results. The study revealed that people didn't have a good idea of how well-known, well-equipped, and comfortable public hospitals are. Public hospitals don't have good enough reputation for people to trust them and for doctors to act in the right way. Concerning the brand image of the services offered by private hospitals in Kinondoni Municipal, it was said that there was an inadequate image of advanced medical equipment, facilities, a comfortable environment, trusting doctors, and an inadequate attitude on advanced medical equipment. The study recommends that in order to improve patient loyalty both public and private hospitals need to strengthen communication between their patients and service providers
Reuse of Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants in Agriculture: Problem of Heavy Metals in Moshi Municipality Wastewater Treatment Plant
Get PDFMunicipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have the potential to play a significant role in a circular economy by adopting the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R). While the primary goal of a WWTP is to decrease the pollution in sewage, this process also produces various potentially valuable byproducts such as treated effluent, biogas, and sludge. The challenge in recycling beneficial nutrients from sludge to agricultural soil primarily arises from the presence of heavy metals, partly due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. This study aimed to examine the concentrations of specific heavy metal contaminants (Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cr) in sludge from the Moshi municipal WWTP, which is slated for use as fertilizer. The samples underwent analysis using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The examination of sewage sludge revealed a pH average indicating an acidic condition at 5.93 ± 1.05, while iron averaged at 53.32 ± 3.66 mg/kg and copper varied between 0.10 and 3.43 mg/kg, with an average of 1.63 ± 1.18 mg/kg. Environmental assessment involved the application of three pollution indices—Contamination Factor (CF), Index of Geo-accumulation (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). These indices collectively confirmed the absence of contamination in the sludge regarding these elements. However, ensuring the elimination of environmental risks and evaluating potential impacts on human and animal health regarding the use of sludge from treatment plants necessitates comprehensive studies across various treatment facilities in the country, considering the chemical composition of these sludges
Information and Communication Technology towards Improving Teaching and Learning Process in Selected Hai District Secondary Schools
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the usage of ICT towards improving the teaching and learning process in selected secondary schools in Hai District. The study established the extent to which teachers and students are endowed with skills in ICT use in enhancing teaching and learning process. Descriptive survey research design was employed in the study applying primary data drawn from a sample of 128 respondents. The findings revealed that majority of teachers have basic ICT skills or training in ICT, although the ICT knowledge is not necessarily linked to teaching and learning process. Moreover, majority of sampled teachers were confident in word processing, although not confident in other aspects such as creating and designing presentations that could have assisted in improving the teaching and learning process. Although majority of school heads had enough working experience, most of them had not attended in-service training in ICT. On the other hand, most students have demonstrated little experience on the use of computers and other ICT facilities. Furthermore, the findings revealed that majority of the respondents particularly students had little access to computers. The study recommends action from the education authorities to consider providing more pedagogical training to teachers in the area of ICT skills. It is envisaged that the integration of ICT will improve the teaching and learning process in schools. The study also recommends for the action from the education authorities to invest in providing and maintaining maximum and appropriate ICT facilities in schools to enable sustainable use of ICT in the teaching and learning process
Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District
Get PDFThe study was designed to assess the plant species composition and diversity in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zone in Mitarure Forest Reserve and the nearby community forests particularly Ngea and Nambawala in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Thirty (30) circular concentric plots were established in the forest reserve and fifteen (15) plots in each of the two-community forest and used to collect vegetation data. The plant species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index, evenness, richness and Simpson and their indices were compared using ANOVA. Plant species diversity and evenness assessed in Mitarure Forest Reserve did not differ significantly from those from community forests. However, the plant species diversity based on Simpson index and richness were significantly higher in the Mitarure Forest Reserve compared to those in community forests. A total of 56 plant species were recorded in Mitarure forest reserve, 39 plant species in Ngea forest and 36 plant species in Nambawala forest. Mitarure forest reserve and the nearby community forests have high plant species diversity with a good stand characteristic of a typical natural forest. However, with an intensive human disturbance, the tree species composition decreases that needs an intervention through local community involvement. This strategy may contribute in the future survival of species and the natural forests in Kilwa District. Data from this study stand as baseline information for the future monitoring of the performance of stands in the natural forest ecosystem in the Dalbergia melanoxylon-dominated zones in Kilwa District
An Examination of the Humanitarianism-Disaster Management Nexus in Tanzania’s Policy and Legal Framework
Get PDFThe use of law, the main tool for implementing policy, to regulate and coordinate disaster management, preparedness and response systems features in many jurisdictions. Also, international guidance on the use of effective laws and policies, which emphasize taking on board critical stakeholders, including humanitarian responders is available. Consequently, the government of Tanzania has promulgated a new disaster management law as part of a wider reform of the legal framework to regulate disaster management and response systems which seek to involve stakeholders at all stages. This article analyses the extent to which the restructured legal framework and supporting policy address humanitarian responders who provide informal assistance, often before formal government intervention. The article traces the history of disaster management policies and laws in the country in the context of the humanitarianism – disaster management nexus. It focuses on the aftermath of the earthquake that ravaged Kagera Region in Bukoba district in the northern west part of the country in September 2016. This analysis is supported with field data from Bukoba district. The findings reveal that the legal framework for regulating disaster management and response system does not reflect international and regional clarion calls for engaging informal humanitarian responders. Recommendations on how this gap can be addressed are provided, laying emphasis on incorporating the clarion calls in order to improve the country’s legal and policy framework for disaster response and management systems
Financial Literacy Variables in Microfinance Institutions studies: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFThe study applied a systematic literature review to explore financial literacy variables in microfinance institution (MFI) studies. Using manual content analysis, 73 studies identified variables covered in MFIs' financial literacy literature. The study revealed that the majority of scholars have assessed the role of financial literacy in promoting clients' savings, money and mobile money usage, loan repayment and investment. However, few studies focused on variables such as outreach, budgeting, interest rates and women's empowerment. In most of the reviewed studies, regression data analysis was used. The findings indicate that there is a dearth of MFI studies that use the term "financial literacy" and its sub-variables. Furthermore, there are no studies that have examined how financial literacy impacts MFI performance variables such as sustainability, profitability, efficiency, credit risk management and corporate governance. In addition, there are a few studies that link financial literacy with MFI theories. Generally, the findings indicate that variables related to financial literacy are not adequately covered in MFI studies. The study recommends the formulation of policies that promote financial literacy training for formal and informal MFIs. This is the first comprehensive systematic review to examine financial literacy variables in MFI studies
The Influence of Learning Environment in the Mastering of 3rs in Public Primary Schools in Nyang’hwale District – Tanzania
Get PDFThis study investigated the influence of the learning environment in the mastering 3Rs in public primary schools in Nyang’hwale District, Tanzania. The study was guided by three objectives namely: factors that lead to pupils’ failure to master 3Rs from standard one up to standard three in public primary schools in Nyang’hwale District, Tanzania, how school environment supports pupils to master 3Rs in public primary schools in Nyang’hwale District. The other objective was to find out the solutions on how we can improve the mastering of the 3Rs to secondary school pupils in Nyang’hwale District. The study used a mixed research approach where both qualitative and quantitative approaches approach were applied. The sample size of the study was 106 respondents, who were obtained through percentages. The participants were selected using simple random sampling stratified sampling and purposive sampling while data of the study were collected through questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were coded through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 edition and were analysed by thematic analysis technique. On their part, qualitative data were analysed through content after being grouped. The analysed data were presented in charts, graphs, Tables and explanations. The findings of the study show that there was poor mastery of the 3Rs among primary school pupils in Nyang’hwale District. Most of the primary school pupils in Nyang’hwale District were found to have the problem of poor mastering of the 3Rs. In addition, the findings indicate that the teaching and learning environment had a great influence on the mastering of the 3Rs to primary school pupils in Nyang’hwale District. The study recommends that Teachers should implement strategic teaching methodologies and apply current teaching and learning materials
Determinants of Competitive Negotiation Style in Agribusiness Trade of High Value Food Crop Products in Tanzania: Evidence from Middlemen in Arusha, Tanzania
Get PDFThis paper explored the role of competitive negotiation style in agribusiness food value addition in Tanzania with insights from Arusha, Tanzania. Cross sectional survey of 280 middlemen were involved in the commodity’s value chain in Arusha main markets. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine main factors contributing to competitive negotiation style but also on their disaggregated effect on agribusiness trade performance. The results showed that competitive negotiation style through self view point, self gain, self win and self outcome had a negative effect on agribusiness performance. In this study it was found that competitive negotiation style had negative significant impact on agribusiness trade performance. The model had high concern for self and low concern for others. The low concern for others had been founded to add negative performance and made it to be the highest negative impacted model. In this notion once one side of the negotiating part found to have less considered by other part the negotiation process tends to be hard with negative performance. It was concluded that competitive negotiation style was not effective model on high value crops but it can be done in a non-competing way (competing-un-competing). Competitive negotiation style can further be reflected on diplomatic arena as non-productive way of conflict and disputes management, in leadership and interpersonal relationship
Factors for Pricing Decision of Food Products in Mbeya City, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study examined factors in the pricing decision of food products in Mbeya City. It employed non- experimental research design where every participant had an equal chance of being selected in which a sample of 100 food vendors through a cross-sectional time dimension was collected using questionnaires at Mwanjelwa, SIDO, and Soweto markets in Mbeya City. Multiple regression techniques were employed in data analysis using both SPSS and STATA packages. Variable inflationary factors and link tests were used to predict multi-collinearity and model specification. Findings showed that dependents of food dealers were inversely correlated with the pricing of food products. Furthermore, the income level of customers was inversely related to the price of food products while the type of customers and customer beliefs were both positively related to the price of food. Study concluded that vendors’ dependents, income level of customers, type of customers, and customer beliefs on food vending services influence the pricing decision of food products. It is, therefore, recommended that local government authorities should empower food dealers on pricing decision of food products and services
Intrinsic Motivation on Entrepreneurs' Intention to Adopt Crowdfunding: The Case of Kiva Lending Crowdfunding
Get PDFThe study investigated the entrepreneur's intrinsic motivation and its relationship to the adoption of crowdfunding using a Kiva lending crowdfunding platform as case study. A total 241 entrepreneurs in Tanzania were surveyed using Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM 3) to examine whether perceived behavioural control, personal attitude, and self-efficacy were predictors of entrepreneurs’ intention to adopt crowdfunding. The results indicated that an entrepreneur's self-efficacy, attitude, and perceived behaviour control significantly determine their intention to adopt crowdfunding. The study revealed that entrepreneurs who engaged in crowdfunding possessed a high degree of self-assurance in their abilities, indicating that they were confident in their capacity to perform the necessary tasks to complete the fundraising process. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of understanding the attitudes of entrepreneurs towards crowdfunding. Entrepreneurs with positive attitudes towards crowdfunding were more likely to engage in it to raise funds for their venture. The findings suggested that crowdfunding platforms should pay attention to the attitudes of entrepreneurs towards crowdfunding to understand their motivations and expectations better. This will enable crowdfunding platforms to tailor their services to meet the needs and expectations of entrepreneurs, ultimately resulting in a more successful crowdfunding experience for all parties involved