1,720,967 research outputs found
Demographic determinants of reproductive health outcomes affecting teenagers in Momba District, Tanzania
Full text linkTeen pregnancy poses a serious public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting the physical, educational, and socio-economic futures of young women. This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic factors influencing pregnancy status and outcomes among adolescents in Momba District, Songwe Region. Backed up by the Social learning and Ecogical system theories a cross-sectional survey involving 349 teens aged 13 to 19 who were currently pregnant or had at least one child was conducted using semi-structured surveys. Purposive sampling was used to select most affected Wards that was followed by a random sampling technique that was adopted to select the respondents. Data was analyzed using SPSS to get descriptives and Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between key variables. The study found that majority (55.2%) of teen mothers were between 15 to 17 years of age, and most of them had secondary education (55.6%). Of all the respondents, 43.3% reported to be divorced and 41.6% reported to be married. 97.7% were unemployed. Age was found to be moderate negatively correlated with both current pregnancy status (r = -0.335) and previous outcomes (r = -0.529). Higher educational attainment was positively correlated with current pregnancy status (r = 0.306) and past outcomes (r = 0.443). Marital status significantly affected previous pregnancy outcomes (r = 0.448), while employment status influenced earlier outcomes only. It is concluded that teen pregnancy is influence by the interplay between various socio-economic factors such as age, level of education, marital and employment status. Thus, teenager need to be empowered to make informed choices about sexual health
Effect of adolescents' demographic factors on reproductive outcomes affecting teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania
Full text linkThis study investigates the prevalence and determinants of teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania, focusing on teen background information and pregnancy rates, age at first marriage, and partner support. A stratified random sampling approach was used to ensure representation across different age groups and geographic areas focusing the five wards. The surveys included closed ended questions and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data. Pearson correlation, poison regression and multiple regression was employed to examine relationships between key variables such as age, education level, marital status, employment and reproductive outcomes. Findings show that 30.4% of respondents were pregnant at the time of the interview and among them, 41.5% were experiencing their first pregnancy. The number of pregnancies varied, with just over half having had more than one. Notably, two-thirds of these had experienced two pregnancies, suggesting that many may have had their first pregnancy at a relatively young age. Number of pregnancies was not significantly associated with any socio-demographic factors tested in the Poisson regression model (all p > .05). However, age at first pregnancy was strongly associated with age (B = 1.429, p < .001), indicating that older respondents tended to experience their first pregnancy later. Education level was negatively associated with age at first pregnancy (B = -0.341, p < .001), while marital status was positively associated (B = 0.448, p < .001). Regarding partner support, both education level (B = 0.759, p = .024; OR = 2.135, 95% CI [1.107–4.117]) and marital status (B = 0.838, p < .001; OR = 2.311) were significant predictors, suggesting that married and more educated respondents were more likely to receive partner support. Recommendations include enhancing education access, implementing sexual health education, addressing early marriages, providing vocational training for girls, and improving adolescent-friendly health services
A review of policy frameworks and its influence in Community Economic Development in Tanzania
Full text linkThis research reviews Tanzania’s Community and Economic Development (CED) policy frameworks from 1998 to 2024, with particular attention to their contribution to inclusive, community-centered economic growth. Employing a documentary analysis approach, evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed studies, government documents, and grey literature obtained from sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, UNDP reports, and official publications. The analysis is informed by Decentralization Theory, which highlights how transferring authority to local governments enhances responsiveness and governance, and Participatory Development Theory, which underscores the value of direct community involvement in planning and implementation for sustainable outcomes. Reported achievements include rural infrastructure development, support for trade, job creation through SME programs, and greater participation of women in community initiatives. Nonetheless, persistent barriers such as delayed funding, weak coordination across sectors, and limited local capacities continue to restrict equitable development. Key research gaps remain in understanding how decentralization, empowerment, and economic strategies interact, along with their long-term effects on poverty reduction, employment, youth, and rural livelihoods. The study concludes by recommending stronger local institutional capacity, investment in digital infrastructure, and integrated policy measures to align CED efforts with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals
Assessment of individual demographic factors influencing the performance of community health workers in Katavi Region, Tanzania
Full text linkThe role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in reconnecting HIV patients with treatment cannot be ignored. However, in regions with low HIV prevalence like Katavi (3.8%), their effectiveness is not well comprehended. Therefore, to appraise the performance of CHWs in tracking back to the treatment of HIV patients, the study focused on some individual demographic factors affecting the performance of CHWs in the Katavi region. The study employed a cross-sectional design, collecting data from 138 CHWs using questionnaires that focused on individual demographic factors. The significance of factors affecting CHW performance was assessed using Logistic regression. The performance of CHWs was generally positively ranked at 77.7%. Significant individual demographic factors included age and education level, with educational qualifications showing a stronger impact (OR 6.25, 95% CI 1.17 - 33.37, p=0.032 for certificates; OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.72, p=0.010 for secondary education) compared to age (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.32 - 19.50, p=0.006 for ages 26-35; OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 - 0.68, p=0.036 for those over 45). While the performance of CHWs was commendable (77.7%), it is crucial to address the factors affecting their performance to effectively combat new HIV infections
Decision-Making Power and Family Planning Use: A Case of Married Women in Kishapu District, Tanzania
Full text linkThis study analyzed the role of married women aged 15 to 49 years on their decision-making on various issues using a cross-section study design. It involved 130 respondents from Kishapu District, selected using multistage sampling. Data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed through frequencies and percentages while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. It is concluded that, spouses make decisions on the money earned by respondents (60.2%). Decision on the money earned by respondent’s spouses is made jointly (48.1%) while 39.5% is made by their spouses as the sole decision-makers. Decision regarding respondents' health is made by respondents themselves (46.5%) while 39.5% reported their spouses to decide for them. Regarding spouse's health care, joint decision-making was reported by 62.3% of respondents and 30.4% reported their spouses to decide on their own health care. Decision on respondent’s use of contraceptives is conducted jointly by 69.1% while 19% is done by respondents alone. Decision on spouse’s contraceptive use is made mostly jointly (80%). Major household purchase is a joint decision issue by 51.7% but 44.4% reported spouses as sole decision-makers. Concerning visits to relatives and family, spouses are the decision-makers (52.7%) while joint decision making is done by 42.6%. The study recommends strategic interventions in family planning programs to encourage more visible involvement of women in household decision making including promoting couples’ discussions on reproductive health and family planning in particular. Further, Policy makers in family planning and reproductive health care should put more efforts and focus on interventions and programs which target imbalance of power practices between couples in the household. 
Spouse Communication and Attitudes towards Contraceptive use among Married Women in Morogoro Municipality
No full textThis study was conducted with the purpose of determining whether spouses communicate on matters related to reproduction in the study area and tried to find out whether there is any correlation with contraceptive behaviour. The study was conducted to a sample of 135 randomly selected married women aged between 15-49 years from Morogoro Municipality. It was found out from this study that, majority of respondents do have positive attitudes towards spouse communication on reproductive matters though in actual sense the number of those who actually communicate is low. Contraceptive use was found to be high among respondents with high and neutral attitude towards spouse communication and the same pattern was observed to those who reported to communicate with their spouse. Surprisingly, respondents with low levels of communication had also high current contraceptive use indicating that they use contraceptive covertly. The study recommends that, it is important that policy makers should emphasize on the strategies that encourage discussion between husband and wife about family planning. Furthermore, more effort should be made to make sure that continuation rate is also high as the current use and intention to use contraceptives is high in the study are
Effect of Family Size and Sex Preference on Contraceptive Use Among Married Women in Morogoro Municipality
No full textThis study was conducted with the purpose of determining whether son preference exists in the study area as well as establishing the ideal family size among married women. These were correlated with contraceptive behaviour in order to establish their relationships. The study was conducted to a sample of 135 randomly selected married women aged between 15-49 years from Morogoro Municipality. Both a questionnaire and focus group interviews were used to collect the data. The results showed that mean ideal number of desired children was 4.2. When ideal family size was compared with contraceptive behavior results indicated the increase of current and intention to use contraceptive methods to women with more than two children. Majority of respondents did not show strong sex preference. When related with contraceptive use, current use of contraceptive use was found to be high among respondents with children of both sexes and low for respondents with children of single sex. Looking into actual sex composition, 47.3% had more boys than girls. When actual family size was related to contraceptive use, it was observed that majority were currently using contraceptive (67%), the same pattern was noted with the intention to use contraceptives, which was high especially to those respondents with one or two children. The study recommends that, although the current use and intention to use contraceptives was high in the study area, more effort is needed to make sure that continuation rate is also high
Assessment of the Determinants of Couples Decisions on Fertility Preference in Kishapu and Mvomero Districts,Tanzania
No full textThis study examined the determinants of couple’s decisions on fertility preference in Tanzania, particularly in Kishapu and Mvomero districts. It is based in the assumption that factors like social network, communications, educations, employment, decision-making, ownership of property, attitudes towards wife beating, patriarchy, religion and ethnicity may affect couples decisions on the number of children they should have. The study used cross section study design and it involved 586 respondents (293 couples) from Kishapu and Mvomero districts selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using interviews and focus group discussions and were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 17. Social network was found to have significant effect on family planning (FP) for both couples and on family size (FS) for men, though the effect was found to depend on the nature of relationship, discussion, encouragement and method used social network member. Communication was observed to have significant impact on contraceptive use and FS based on the type of discussion however frequency and timing of communication matters a lot. Social economic status revealed that, even some formal education have effect on contraceptive use but for impact to be felt on family size the secondary education was found to be important. Ownership of property especially house was found to have significant effect on FS for women and ownership of land for men. Culture was found to influence contraceptive use and family size in different ways. A great association was found between ones religious affiliation and contraceptive use and FS, moreover, high levels of religiousity was associated with large family size. Ethnicity also appeared to have significant association with contraceptive use and FS especially among Sukuma respondents. This study recommends the need for involvement of men and women of reproductive age in all levels of policy development, programme plans and implementations
Influence of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation on Sustainability of Water Projects in Rorya District Council
Full text linkThis study investigates the role of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) in promoting the sustainability of rural water supply projects in Rorya District, Tanzania. It focuses on four critical dimensions of participation: goal understanding, activity identification, progress measurement, and results reporting. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from random sample of 349 participants. Multiple regression analysis was specifically employed to examine the nature and strength of the relationship between participatory monitoring and evaluation components and the sustainability of rural water projects. The findings demonstrate that all four PM&E components—goal understanding, activity identification, progress measurement, and results reporting—positively and significantly contribute to project sustainability. Progress measurement had the strongest impact, reinforcing the role of accountability and informed decision-making. To enhance rural water project sustainability, project implementers should raise community awareness of project goals through sensitization campaigns; local leaders should facilitate inclusive planning; project managers must adopt simple monitoring tools and involve communities in
tracking progress; and donors should ensure transparent, accessible reporting to build trust and accountability
Students Access to Information Communication Technologies in Open and Distance Learning mode in Tanzania: A case of The Open University of Tanzania
No full textThe success of open and distance learning programmes relies heavily on having an efficient and reliable delivery channel to reach out students. The utilization of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool to deliver services to the students provides efficient and reliable delivery channel which is also cost effective. A study was undertaken to assess the utilization of ICT facilities existing in the Open University of Tanzania (OUT). A sample of 97 from The University of Tanzania at Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Arusha regional centers were interviewed. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design by using open and closed ended questionnaires and focus group discussion (FGD). Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The study found out that a number of admitted students who access computers at OUT computer labs is very small, and those who do visit the labs at most visit it once a week. Internet access was also found to be a problem. Majority ranked Yahoo their favourite wesite, followed by OUT website, and Google as favoured websites. In the OUT website the most surfed/used resources were Students Academic Registration System (SARIS). The resources which focus more on academic issues were visited less frequently. It is recommended that ICT knowledge and skills to be encouraged to OUT staff and students in order to ensure both stakeholders benefit in improving the quality of education offered through ODL Programmes at OUT
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