City Of Dar Es Research Articles

Going with the food flow: The contribution of urban agriculture to a growing African city

ABSTRACT Sub-Saharan Africa's rapid urban growth is causing a decline in urban agricultural land, reducing access to healthy local food for citizens. This paper quantitatively and spatially describes the contribution of urban and peri-urban producers to the availability and accessibility of fresh leafy vegetables in the growing city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Based on over 700 surveys with food vendors and consumers, as well as ethnographic research with farmers, we show how a total of 70 per cent of all amaranth consumed in Dar es Salaam was found to be produced within the city. With an average distance travelled from farm to fork of 11 km, leafy vegetables have a strongly localised foodshed. The results show the ongoing significance of urban areas in meeting their own food demands, emphasising the necessity to explicitly integrate food provisioning in the planning of growing African cities.

High Child Mortality and Interventions Coverage in the City of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Are the Poorest Paying an Urban Penalty?

The 'urban penalty' in health refers to the loss of a presumed survival advantage due to adverse consequences of urban life. This study investigated the levels and trends in neonatal, post-neonatal and under-5 mortality rate and key determinants of child survival using data from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) (2004/05, 2010 and 2015/16), AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS), Malaria Indicator survey (MIS) and health facility data in Tanzania mainland. We compared Dar es Salaam results with other urban and rural areas in Tanzania mainland, and between the poorest and richest wealth tertiles within Dar es Salaam. Under-5 mortality declined by 41% between TDHS 2004/05 and 2015/2016 from 132 to 78 deaths per 1000 live births, with a greater decline in rural areas compared to Dar es Salaam and other urban areas. Neonatal mortality rate was consistently higher in Dar es Salaam during the same period, with the widest gap (> 50%) between Dar es Salaam and rural areas in TDHS 2015/2016. Coverage of maternal, new-born and child health interventions as well as living conditionswere generally better in Dar es Salaam than elsewhere. Within the city, neonatal mortality was 63 and 44 per 1000 live births in the poorest 33% and richest 33%, respectively. The poorest had higher rates of stunting, more overcrowding, inadequate sanitation and lower coverage of institutional deliveries and C-section rate, compared to richest tertile. Children in Dar es Salaam do not have improved survival chances compared to rural children, despite better living conditions and higher coverage of essential health interventions. This urban penalty is higher among children of the poorest households which could only partly be explained by the available indicators of coverage of services and living conditions. Further research is urgently needed to understand the reasons for the urban penalty, including quality of care, health behaviours and environmental conditions.

Environment as a Determinant Factor for Speech Style and Recognition: A Case of Swahili Language in Tanzania

This study offers a fresh look at the impact of the environment in influencing speech styles, focusing on Swahili as a case study language. This study navigates beyond the usual concerns of speakers, topics, ages, and genders to explore how the environment we surround ourselves can impact our language habits in terms of how and what linguistic expressions we produce. The study is carried out using observation as a method of data collection in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and includes a variety of settings such as restaurants, daladalas (public minivans), and mitumba marketplaces (second-hand clothing shops). The collected data was analyzed using the speech acts theory as a guiding framework to determine the various ways in which the environment influences speech. This paper serves high significance in the field by casting on the influence a social environment can have on our speech habits. By suggesting that environment can be a determinant of different speech styles and habits, the study opens up new dimensions to our knowledge of different dynamics that chiefly influence language use.

Spatial and temporal variations of microclimate and outdoor thermal comfort in informal settlements of warm humid Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

In developing countries, urbanization is dominated by the growth of informal settlements which represents 40–80% of major cities. The challenges brought up by the growth of informal settlements spans from social-economic to environmental. Previously, upgrading of the informal settlements focused on social-economic aspects such as provision of necessary services for the residents, whereas the quality of the outdoor thermal environment has not received much attention. This paper entails to investigate the potential of upgrading the outdoor thermal environment in informal settlements in the warm humid city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania through examining the influence of addition of trees with different Leaf Area Index (LAI) and incremental increase of buildings heights. The study uses simulation as a method for analysis of the warm season and calculates the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) as a thermal index. Results show substantial improvement of both microclimate and outdoor thermal comfort. Incremental increase of buildings heights in a street canyon to 12, 18, and 24 m leads to the reduction of PET by 2.5, 2.8, and 3.8 °C respectively at 2:00 p.m. Similarly, applying LAI's of 2, 4, and 6 m2/m2 leads to reduction of the mean radiant temperature by 7.9, 10.1, and 12.2 °C; while PET was reduced by 3.9, 4.7, and 5.6 °C respectively at 2:00 p.m. Nonetheless, upgrading of informal settlements shows marginal influence on the reduction of air temperature. Despite the noted thermal improvement in the studied area, the thermal comfort limits of the warm season were difficult to reach. The findings suggest that addition of vegetation is the economically most effective way for upgrading thermal conditions in informal urban fabric areas.

Smart technology solution for a cleaner city: a case study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This paper investigates Smart-TRACS, an affordable and innovative smart technology solution to improve solid waste management and revenue collection in the rapidly expanding city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. By analyzing data from key stakeholders in the solid waste management service chain, the study validates the hypotheses that: (H1) Smart-TRACS has improved solid waste management service provision, and (H2) Smart-TRACS has enhanced refuse collection charges collection rates in the piloted wards. Notably, Smart-TRACS registered a 129% increase in identified service users, 13.5% increase in revenue collection, 55% increase in revenue collection coverage, and many other positive impacts resulting from data-driven internal management optimization. This paper provides compelling evidence that leveraging data can drive improved efficiency, resilience, innovation and inclusivity in Dar es Salaam’s city development. However, the paper also identifies limitations with Smart-TRACS, which underscore challenges hindering the city’s transition to a smart city status. The absence of an actively implemented robust overarching city master plan, smart city coordination framework, a challenging business environment, and the risks associated with sudden institutional change pose significant obstacles to sustained smart city development and innovation. Addressing these core challenges is crucial for Dar es Salaam to embark on a sustainable path towards smart city development and realize its potential for transformative growth.

Impact of Population Dynamics on Solid Waste Generation Trends in Dar Es Salaam Metropolitan

Rapid population growth observed across the global landscape can be traced from the dawn of the last half of the twentieth century. The period is marked by enormous land use and land cover changes, the rising rate of declining biological resources as well a continuous high rate of urbanisation. Dar es Salaam City, once a fishing village but now the most industrialised and urbanised city in Tanzania, has not been spared of such changes. This article composition intended to uncover the correlation between population growth and solid waste generation in the city of Dar es Salaam. The data inputs involved Tanzania’s national population census for the years 2002, 2012, and 2022, but also shapefiles for Dar es Salaam City and the United Republic of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam city’s wards, the lowest but one administrative level in Tanzania, were central in this study as the lowest unit of analysis. Data management for this spatiotemporal study was done in Microsoft spreadsheet, while data analysis involved the use of the ArcMap platform of ArcGIS version 10.5. The results show a strong relationship between population growth and municipal solid waste generation in Dar es Salaam city. From the visual results, the overall impact of population on solid waste generation is well presented across both census years. Despite varying at different times in the twenty years of the study period, wards such as Kunduchi, Mabibo, Majohe, Mbagala Kuu, Mbezi, Mianzini, Saranga, Segerea, Vingunguti, Wazo, and Charambe produced significant amounts of solid waste. Across the study period, Vingunguti and Majohe were revealed to be the only two wards in the city that have continued generating high solid wastes. These visual results display the almost exact location of a high waste generation hence delivering information necessary for strategic and informed decision-making, henceforth, policy formulation towards solid generation and management.

An integrated fuzzy MCDM model for prioritizing strategies for successful implementation and operation of the bus rapid transit system.

The selection and prioritization of suitable strategies to address the challenges to the successful operation and implementation of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system is a common problem faced by practitioners and decision-makers. Recent research has widely discussed the issue, but such assessments have remained limited in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania context, where there are mobility difficulties. The present study addresses this research gap and identifies the most critical challenges to BRT implementation and operation, and recommends the most appropriate strategy for overcoming them. Seven strategies are defined. To prioritize these strategies, five criteria are determined. An integrated multi-criteria decision-making model is introduced. Improved Fuzzy Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis based on the Bonferroni operator was used to determine the importance of the criteria. Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution was applied to assess and rank the strategies. The results indicate that "frequent flooding at the Jangwani bridge bus terminal" and "long waiting time at bus stops" are the most critical challenges while the fourth alternative "strengthening the operation and management" is the appropriate strategy to be implemented for successful operation and implementation of the BRT system. After that, a five-phase sensitivity analysis is performed to observe the robustness of the proposed approach. The results indicate the flexibility and applicability of the proposed approach can address real-life problems. The proposed methodology in this work can be instrumental in assisting mass transit operators with the successful implementation and operation of the BRT system.

Effects of Social Media access on Learning in Secondary Schools, in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

Social media is rapidly changing the communication setting of day-to-day activities of young people. The presence of social media has ominously influenced the academic life of students. Social media is used to fulfill perceived social needs, but social media cannot fulfill all needs. Institutions and academicians are continually trying social media technologies hoping to excite critical thinking skills, associations, and knowledge construction. This study intended to explore and examine the effects of social media access on learning in secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality in the city of Dar es Salaam based on the following specific objectives: i) to investigate the effects of Facebook on students learning in secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality ii) to determine the effects of WhatsApp usage to students learning and attitude, in Kinondoni Municipality with relationship to their time management iii) to establish the effects of Instagram on change of student behavior in secondary school, in Kinondoni Municipality and iv) to explore how YouTube contributes to the moral development of secondary school students in Kinondoni Municipality. The study employed a mixed-method design in examining these effects. Five hundred and fifty (550) participants were conveniently sampled and heads of schools were interviewed within a week. After studying the phenomena that were of interest to the study, and transcribing the various responses of the participants the results revealed that social media is widely used by secondary school students for non-beneficial activities and less used for gaining subject knowledge and acquiring learning basis. Surprisingly, however, participants were in support of the idea that social media access to students contributes a significant quota to their academy based on basis of belongingness. It concluded and recommended that, to the leaders, policy regarding social media to students should be amended to support the view that teachers can have the ability to teach students better ways they can use available social media. To the bloggers, it is recommended that the communication authority, TCRA should restrict those Bloggers who share and publish unwanted, unethical material and morally threatening content to youth. The content among others includes “UtamuRaha”, “Bongo Sex” and such porn content that students have access to. To the practitioners, the study recommends that teachers in schools should make sure that they keep a close eye on students' changes in behavior. Elements of homosexual behaviour and other forms of Internet-learned behaviour in school demonstrates the failure of close supervision of students use of media. We recommend that psychotherapy and guidance should be regularly provided by school teachers to lead students in achieving school goals and divert them from these behaviors. We also recommend that TCRA should block unsuitable content from school-based internet to keep students out of danger and help them to use the appropriate internet sites for serious learning and character formation. Keywords : Social media access, students learning. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-24-03 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Planned Vulnerabilities? Street Flooding and Drainage Infrastructure in Colonial Dar es Salaam

Abstract Technology can be both a problem and a solution in connection with critical events like road flooding in cities. This article explores how roadwork undertaken during German and British colonial rule created a situation which has, ever since, made the city of Dar es Salaam in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) vulnerable to flooding. The article identifies colonial spatial planning, a globally circulating engineering culture, and an undue emphasis on anti-malarial measures as the main causes of the flood vulnerability of roads. After decades of neglect, repeatedly flooded streets made the construction of drainage infrastructure an increasingly necessary preventive solution. Only slowly did drainage become an integral feature of road design, thus decreasing the city’s vulnerability to floods. Drawing on analyses of archival and documentary sources, the article contends that the making of the vulnerability and criticality of roads and drainage systems unfolded within a socio-technical context which reflects colonial structures and terrains in the Global South.

Can Environmental Tax Reduce Dilapidated Motor Vehicles Importation and Pollution? Insights from Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

The influence of tax regime in reducing dilapidated vehicles’ demand and attendant pollution is puzzling global south cities. This article provides an assessment on how environmental tax is or is not curbing down the importation of the Dilapidated Motor Vehicles (DMVs) with a view to reduce vehicular emissions in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A multilevel perspective employing mixed methods of data collection was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data through document review, group discussions, in-depth interviews from selected Members of Parliament, policymakers, government officials, and brand new as well as DMVs dealers. Content, trend and discourse analysis enabled to interpret qualitative data. Findings reveal that taxing importation of DMVs is not significantly reducing air pollution. The side effects of the increased DMVs import in polluting the environment are increasing due to the rise in income levels, population increase and technical challenges of estimating marginal social cost. As DMVs tax was not reflected in the exporter’s cost schedule, the non-inclusion gives a market failure scenario a la Pigou Theorem. Rethinking of an optimal environmental tax remains a complex sociopolitical issue calling for research and policy attention.

GERD is Common and Causes Significant Quality of Life Impairment: Results from Outpatients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is reported to occur in 10-20% of general population in Western countries and in about 5% in Asian countries. There is little data regarding its prevalence, pattern, associated factors and impact on the quality of life in African countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern, quality of life and factors associated with GERD among outpatients in the city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Methods: Between 01 June 2013 and 31 July 2013, a total of 1062 adults aged 18 years and above were recruited into this cross-sectional study and completed Swahili-language self-administered questionnaires. The Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD questionnaire was used as a diagnostic tool for GERD and quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of the study participants was 46.0±19.5years and 60.5% were females. The prevalence of GERD was 31.5% and was higher among females compared to males (p = 0.001). The quality of life in patients with GERD was lower in all five domains of the QOLRAD questionnaire. About two thirds (59.7%) of patients with GERD had previously sought medical advice and 59.6% had used medications for their GERD symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of GERD was high in this patient population and was significantly higher among females compared to men. Participants with GERD demonstrated significant impairment in the quality of life.

Customer Switching Intentions in Commercial Banks: A case of selected commercial banks in Dar es Salaam

The negative consequences of customer switching behaviour in the banking industry cannot be underestimated. Since there are limited studies addressing customer switching intentions and actual switching behaviour in the banking sector of Tanzania, this study intended to bridge the knowledge gap by addressing factors influencing customer switching intentions in the context of Tanzanian commercial banks. The study followed a positivism research paradigm out of which a deductive research approach was adopted. In the same line, an explanatory research design was used. The study was conducted in the city of Dar es Salaam with 400 respondents who were customers from NMB Bank Plc, TPB Bank Plc and NBC Bank Ltd. Multi-stage sampling method was used to generate sample size for this study. Multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the collected data. The findings of Thé study indicated that subjective norms were insignificant in influencing customer switching intentions in commercial banks. These findings suggested that commercial banks customers in the city of Dar es Salaam are not under robust social pressure that requires a vital social group to approve their switching intentions. Further findings revealed that perceived control of bank charges, attitude toward service quality and convenience significantly influenced customer switching intentions in commercial banks.

Association between alcohol consumption, marijuana use and road traffic injuries among commercial motorcycle riders: A population-based, case-control study in Dares Salaam, Tanzania

BackgroundAlcohol consumption and psychoactive drug use are well-recognised risk factors for road traffic injuries (RTIs). Both types of use may impair and affect drivers' performance. Yet, there is limited literature on their contribution to RTIs among commercial motorcycle riders, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. This study aimed to determine the association between alcohol consumption, marijuana use and RTIs among commercial motorcycle riders in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. MethodsWe conducted a case-control study between July 2018 and March 2019. Cases (n = 164) were commercial motorcycle riders who had sustained an RTIs and attended at a hospital. Controls (n = 400) were commercial motorcycle riders who had not experienced an RTIs that led to hospital attendance during the past six months. Alcohol consumption was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification (AUDIT) score, which classified participants as a non-drinker, normal drinker(1–7 scores) and risky drinker (scores ≥ 8). Marijuana use was assessed through self-reported use in the past year. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic, driver-, and work-related factors. ResultsRisky drinking was associated with close to six times the odds of RTIs compared to non-drinkers (OR = 5.98, 95% CI: 3.25 – 11.0). The association remained significant even after adjusting for sociodemographic, driving and work-related factors (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.01 – 5.76). The crude odds ratios of RTIs were significantly higher among users of marijuana than non-users (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.38 – 3.95). However, the association did not remain statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.49–2.48). ConclusionOur findings confirm increased odds of RTIs among commercial motorcycle riders with risky drinking behaviour even after taking sociodemographic, driving and work-related factors into account. Unlike alcohol consumption the relationship between marijuana use and RTIs among commercial motorcycle riders was unclear. Since motorcycle riders are more susceptible to the effect of alcohol due to higher demands of balance and coordination and because commercial motorcyclist riders, in particular, they spend a considerable amount of time on the road, our results underscore the importance of addressing hazardous alcohol consumption and marijuana use in future prevention strategies to enhance road safety.

‘The Vibe is Really Important’: Experiencing Hip-hop and Performance Poetry in Dar es Salaam

ABSTRACT In the city of Dar es Salaam, hip-hop and performance poetry events are a vibrant, visible presence. Research into this phenomenon has generally explored its relation to historical, economic, social or political contexts. Such approaches are only ever rarely concerned with the experiences generated by and within the performances. This paper takes aesthetic experience as a point of departure, exploring how participants experience performance poetry and hip-hop in Dar es Salaam. Reflecting on the notion of ‘vibe’ as expressed by participants during fieldwork, I suggest it refers to the aesthetic experience of performance which is also a form of knowledge production through which participants engage with their everyday lives. ‘Vibe’ allows us to grasp the sensuous rendering of hip-hop and performance poetry and highlights the entanglement between body, space and text in producing the aesthetic experience of the performance.

Effect of Advertisement on Consumers’ Buying Behaviour of Real Estates in Tanzania: Insight from the National Housing Corporation

The article examines the influence of advertisement elements—namely television, radio, print media and online advertisements—on consumers’ buying behaviour of real estate products in Tanzania, using evidence of the National Housing Corporation (NHC). Informed by the positivist and deductive paradigms, as well as theoretical lens of the AIDA model, the study used structured questionnaires to gather quantitative data from 103 conveniently sampled NHC customers based in the Tanzania’s sprawling city of Dar es Salaam. These were complemented by in-depth information from 3 key informants. Data were subjected to multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that of all the four constructs, only two—television, and radio— advertisements were the major shakers as they emerged as significant predictors with 53% and 27% contribution to changing the consumers’ buying behaviour, respectively. Print and online media, on the other hand, insignificantly contributed 13% and 7% to influencing consumers’ buying behaviour respectively. These findings have implications for policy makers and real estate companies seeking to make the most from advertising of real estate products through the media.

Factors that Affect the Adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

Identification of the factors affecting the adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is necessary in creating enabling environment for promoting LPG usage in Tanzania. This paper examines factors that affect the adoption of LPG in the jurisdiction of Kinondoni Municipal Council; one of the five municipalities in the city of Dar es Salaam. A cross-sectional research design, involving 466 households from three wards (Msasani, Kijitonyama and Tandale) was employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data. Content analysis was carried out using the Likert scale to observe perceived factors affecting the adoption of LPG. Chi square test and binary logistic regression were performed to examine the likelihood of the adoption of LPG to occur. The findings suggest that at the micro level, several factors do affect the adoption of LPG, but different individuals have different perceptions based on personal experiences. Uncovered factors include the quantity of sell, household income, household size, and the level of awareness. At the macro level, fuel availability is assumed to play an important role in determining the adoption and usage of LPG. Chi square test shows the association between different variables and LPG usage; while logistic regression reveals two variables—education and household expenditure (proxy for income)—as significant factors. The study recommends that the creation of enabling environment for LPG usage in the municipality should pay more attention to issues related to education and income.

Urban farmers land injustice: Assessing the impact of land development projects on agriculture in Dar es Salaam City

Land injustices are a global phenomenon but more vivid in developing countries, especially in Africa, where colonial hangover and the neo-liberal economic policies have been known to contribute into the plight of the urban poor including urban farmers. This paper examines the land injustices of urban farmers by taking Mbweni-Mpiji, a sub-urban area in the city of Dar es Salaam as a case study. The study used a qualitative approach to gather explanations, perceptions and feelings of the farmers regarding the issue of land injustices in the study area. From the findings, farmers in the study area are in constant pressure due to land insecurity and inferior land rights, the use of informality ways in accessing land, stiff competition from other land users and degrading land quality and constant decrease in size of agricultural land. In general terms, these factors are negatively affecting the day to day livelihood (in terms of food security, social status and income) of the people who entirely depend on urban farming. In order to overcome these challenges, this study recommends a dialogue between farmers and the city administrators as a short-term solution and inclusion of urban farming in the future master or strategic plans as a long term strategy. Key words: Land justice, urban agriculture, land development projects, compulsory land acquisition, plot delivery project.

Trust in Providers of Domestic Water: A Comparison of the Public Utility and Informal Vendors in Dar Es Salaam

This article examines factors associated with trust in the public water utility and informal water vendors in the city of Dar es Salaam. We model trust in terms of citizens’ perceptions of what water providers deliver, how well the service fits with their lifestyle and values, the ease with which they can contact and influence the provider, and how well the government handles water issues. Our data come from a survey of the adult population of the four main residential districts of Dar es Salaam, conducted in March 2018. We find that trust in water providers is built on different foundations for the public utility and informal vendors. For the public utility, trust depends mainly on habituation to the service, knowledge of the vernacular and evaluations of government performance. For informal vendors, trust depends mainly on habituation to the service and capacity for engagement with social issues. Our study illustrates the how trust in service providers is an outcome of social accountability at the micro-level.

The Complexity of Social and Cultural Dynamics in Emerging of Collective Spaces in Unplanned Urbanisation: Learning from Mlalakuwa-Dar es Salaam

The growth of African cities encountered movement of people from countryside to capital cities searching for employment opportunities. In the city of Dar es Salaam the job market has not grown enough to keep up population increase. The increasing urban population boosted the basic needs and the demand for land for various activities, posed daunting challenges for attaining liveable neighbourhoods. At the same time many of informal settlements are dynamic part of the city in physical, economic, social and cultural terms. Different programs from international organizations illustrate how sustainable urbanization can be a key contributor to poverty reduction to better quality of life. This research is based on literature reviews, documentary analysis, photographic registration and qualitative survey of the Mlalakuwa neighbourhood to provide a better understanding of the role of proactive cultural differences and social dynamics in promoting the spreading of spaces in informal settlements in the urban fabric, beyond the primarily necessary housing conditions. Researchers emphasize the importance of collective spaces for urbanisation, in social and economic terms as an important asset for quality of life and the construction of a sustainable and resilient community. The aim of this paper was to examine how social, and cultural factors cause the dynamics set up in physical collective spaces in a particular informal neighbourhood of Dar es Salaam city. The examination of human activities including social, cultural and economic functions respond to formation of spatial organisation of collective spaces at Mlalakuwa informal settlement. Notably, the paper illustrates that, the urban planning network can take on significant benefits when considering cultural and social diversity as a factor that could change the whole concept of urban planning. The incentives for diverse in cultural, social and economic activities in collective spaces are vital to sustainable informal settlements because they play a major role in improving the liability of collective spaces in unplanned neighbourhoods.

Quantifying the under-estimation of cervical Cancer in remote regions of Tanzania

BackgroundCervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Sub-Saharan countries, including Tanzania. While early detection and diagnosis are available in some parts of this large country, radiotherapy has been only available at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), in the capital city of Dar es Salaam and is just starting in a few regions.MethodsThe objective of this study was to compare the observed incidence of cervical cancer for the two remote regions of Mwanza in western Tanzania and Mbeya in southern Tanzania, based on their patients treated at the ORCI from 2011 to 2014. Results: The number patients referred and treated at ORCI were (120 from Mwanza, and 171 from Mbeya, representing 24.6 and 32.8% of the patients histopathologically confirmed in the two sites, respectively. The results showed significant underestimation of cervical cancer in the two regions. The vast majority of patients who were histopathologically-confirmed in their local regions (73.92% from Mwanza and 65.1% from Mbeya), but did not receive the needed radiotherapy treatment at the ORCI. The estimated incidence for the two regions based on the number of patients treated at the ORCI were underestimated by 53.9% for Mwanza and 68.9% for Mbeya.ConclusionsLocal establishment of radiotherapy treatment facilities in remote regions in Tanzania and similar other low-income countries is essential for providing effective treatment and improving survival of diagnosed cervical cancer patients. Linkage between the records of local remote hospitals and the main cancer treatment center in the capital city can also help support the emerging the population-based cancer registry at ORCI.