Iringa Municipality Research Articles

Instructional Methods Used by Secondary School Teachers in Classroom to Develop Students’ English Writing Skills in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

This study examined instructional methods employed by secondary school English language teachers in classroom to develop students’ English writing skills in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to assess English language teachers’ understanding of the purpose of English language syllabus for secondary education; to investigate the teaching and learning techniques used by teachers in classroom to develop students’ English writing skills; and to evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques used in developing English writing skills among students. The social-cultural theory and communicative competence theory were adopted to guide the study. The study employed an interpretivism paradigm, qualitative approach and a phenomenological research design. The study involved 33 participants (12 English teachers and 21 FIII students) who were selected purposively from 3 public secondary schools in Iringa Municipality. The data were collected using documentary review, classroom observations, and interviews, and thematically analysed. The findings revealed that teachers had differing understanding of the purpose of the English syllabus. Also, the findings showed that teachers used techniques, such as explanation and demonstration, writing practice and exercise, reading-writing integration, sentence combining, genre-based instruction, and collaborative writing, in teaching English writing skills. Moreover, the study found that the techniques used were ineffective to develop students’ English writing abilities as many students struggled to write in English. The study concludes that the opposing understanding of the purpose of the subject syllabus among teachers limits teachers from effectively using instructional methods to develop writing skills in English among students. Therefore, teachers should be trained on the purpose of the subject syllabus to enable them effectively use instructional methods in a manner that focuses to develop English writing skills among students per requirements of the subject syllabus

Strategies for Enhancing Service Satisfaction and Students' Retention in Private Secondary Schools: A Case Study in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

The study investigated the strategies for enhancing service satisfaction and student retention in private secondary schools in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. It aimed to explore the levels of service satisfaction, identify the strategies for enhancement, and investigate interventions for retention. Using a case study design, 47 respondents participated, including 20 students, 8 parents, 4 school managers, and 8 head teachers, alongside 7 other education stakeholders. Data collection encompassed interviews, observation, and documentary reviews, with subsequent content analysis employed for data interpretation. The study’s findings highlight a concerning trend: low service satisfaction among customers within the selected schools. Despite existing strategies, the overall experience falls short of expectations. The study recommends that schools focus on designing and implementing internally driven strategies by considering the uniqueness of the needs of their students, conduct regular needs assessments to identify gaps and areas for improvement, implement a mechanism to track customer satisfaction continuously to make necessary adjustments through regular feedback, and schools should use customer satisfaction data to identify at-risk students.

Heavy metal contamination in soil and food crops and associated human health risks in the vicinity of Iringa Municipal dumpsite, Tanzania

Heavy metal contamination and potential risks to human health related to consuming major food crops near Iringa Municipal dumpsite are presented. Soil samples, maize (Zea mays L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were collected downslope around the dumpsite during wet season. Soil samples were analyzed using Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) while crop (maize and beans) samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The potential health risks associated with human exposure to heavy metals in maize and common beans was evaluated according to the method prescribed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The concentrations Cd (3.25–10.78 mg/kg), As (1.84–10.98 mg/kg) and Ni (71.74–55.10 mg/kg) in soil samples exceed the maximum allowable limits set by Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). The average heavy metal concentration in food crops followed the trend Cd, As < Cr, Pb < Ni < Cu < Mn < Zn with Pb in maize (0.96 mg/kg) and common beans (0.81 mg/kg) above FAO/WHO regulatory standards of 0.3 mg/kg. This implied health concerns to consuming food crops grown in the vicinity of the dumpsite. Further, lifetime–incremental cancer risk (ILCR) assessment suggest that consuming maize and common beans from the study area could increase the risk of both cancer and non-cancerous diseases in both adults and children. However, the degree of ILCR in children was noticeably higher (1.0 × 10–2) than in adults (5.10. × 10–6) for Pb in common beans. Therefore sustainable waste management should be stressed and continuous monitoring of environments around dumpsites is crucial to mitigate the negative impacts on public and environments.

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species isolated from domestic and peridomestic rodents

E. coli and Salmonella species are bacterial pathogens contributing to opportunistic infections, food poisoning, and urinary tract infections. Recently, research has shown that pathogens have repeatedly been found in rodents. Environmental interaction between human, livestock, and rodents is possibly disseminating these bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from domestic and peri-domestic rodents in Iringa municipality, Tanzania. A total of 153 rodents were captured from January to March 2023 and clarified at the species level using identification keys. Rectal swabs were collected. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated by culture methods and identified by biochemical tests and conventional PCR. The antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by disk diffusion method using five antimicrobials, including tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Seven resistant genes were tested by PCR, which were blaCTX-M, blaSHV, sul1, sul2, tetA, acrA, and aac(3)-1. Three rodent species, Rattus rattus (75.2%), Mastomys natalensis (23.5%), and Mus musculus (1.3%), were captured. 17 (11.1%) E. coli were detected, and no Salmonella spp. were isolated. All 17 isolates were susceptible to gentamycin and resistant to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (52.9%). Four E. coli isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR), whereby 75% of these MDR isolates originated from the same area. Six resistant genes were detected: blaCTX-M, sul1, sul2, tetA, acrA, and aac(3)-1, where the acr(A) resistant gene was the most abundant. There were co-occurrences of the resistant genes per isolate, such as sul2, acrA, and aac(3)-1. This study reveals the antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from rodents, providing preliminary data on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistant features of these pathogens in their respective reservoirs in Iringa municipality. The study recommends observing regular antimicrobial resistance screening and improving rodent management and control programs in the studied area.

The Influence of the Computerised Accounting System on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case of Iringa Municipality

This study assessed the influence of computerised accounting systems on the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Iringa Municipality. The study’s overall objective was to assess the impact of the computerised accounting system on the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises. This study used a descriptive research design, with 80 small and medium enterprises participating. The data were collected through the administration of questionnaires, analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, and presented in the form of tables and figures. The study findings indicated a positive correlation between technology utilisation and accounting practices, demonstrating that computerised accounting systems significantly impacted the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises. Furthermore, the findings suggested that the implementation of computerised accounting systems improved efficiency within Small and Medium Enterprises. Lastly, the research revealed that the majority of Small and Medium Enterprises produced accurate financial reports, which had a notable influence on their overall financial performance. The study recommended Small and Medium Enterprises to install computerised accounting systems due to their associated benefits.

Factors Affecting E-Procurement Adoption in Iringa Medical Store Department

The purpose of the study is to assess factors affecting electronic procurement adoption in Medical Store Department in Iringa Municipality. Specific objective of the study was to examine the effect of employee competence, technological features, and management support on electronic procurement adoption. A study employed a quantitative research approach with an explanatory cross-sectional design to explain the causal effect relationships between variables. The target population was 121 and a sample size of 93 employees of the Medical Store Department was contacted. Data were collected using a questionnaire, where respondents were picked using the probability random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics namely frequencies, percentages and mean, and multiple linear regression analysis to determine the influence of technological features, employee competence, and management support on the adoption of electronic procurement. Results show that regression analysis output confirmed that there is a significant positive relationship between technological features and e-procurement adoption as the p-value is 0.02, which is less than 0.05. Furthermore, the regression analysis output confirmed that there was a significant positive relationship between employee competence and e-procurement adoption as the p-value is 0.013, which is less than 0.05 and there is a significant positive relationship between management support and e-procurement adoption as the p-value is 0.029, which is less than 0.05. The study concludes that, technological features predominantly influence e-procurement adoption followed by employee competence while management support has the least influence. The study recommends that frequent training be offered to all employees who are users of electronic procurement in relevant IT skills,

Contribution of School Management Strategies and Effective Supervision on Students’ Academic Performance in Secondary School in Iringa Municipality in Tanzania

The aims of school management are to promote organization, mobilization and expression of both human and material conditions essential to school instructive processes that endorse the learning activities of students. This study examined the contribution of school management and its effectiveness in supervision in enhancing students’ academic performance. The primary data were collected using questionnaire tool from 256 respondents. The study applied linear regression analysis, binary logistic regression model, and simple random sampling technique in respondents’ selection. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS ver. 20, IBM, USA). The study findings revealed that students’ academic performance in any secondary school set up depends primarily on the proper orientation of school management strategies. Furthermore, the findings revealed that when school management ensure effective supervision by promoting good teachers’ payment, teacher professional development, democratic decision-making system as management strategies leads to increase students’ academic performance. The study recommended that, democratization of planned school management strategies is vital not only because many conflicts emanate from unequal involvement in implementation of school strategies, but also because school administration, as advocates of school management democratic ideas and school plan, need to practice what they preach in different school meeting.

Perpetrators’ Characteristics and Intimate Partner Violence in Informal Settlements at Iringa Municipality Tanzania

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence faced by women globally. The prevalence of lifetime experiences of physical and sexual IPV is estimated to range from 15% to 71%. IPV where a perpetrator is a male current or ex-partner is an existing gender problem in many countries. Millions of women in Africa especially those living in informal settlements are affected by IPV. The most common form of IPV is physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Several studies conducted in Tanzania on IPV have not yet examined the characteristics of perpetrators of such violence acts in informal settlements. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine IPV perpetrators’ characteristics and their association with IPV perpetration in informal settlements. Multi-stage sampling was applied. Random sampling was used to obtain a sample of 300 women living in informal settlements of Iringa Municipality. A survey was used to collect data and SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. A χ2 test was used to assess the association between the outcome variable and a set of exposure variables. Ethical clearance was obtained from Muhimbili University Institutional Review Board. Written consent was sought before participation in the study. IPV perpetrators’ socio-demographic characteristics were age, marital status, marriage type, occupation and level of education. Alcohol intake characteristics were alcohol intake status and intake frequency, where 62.7% were reported to take alcohol many times. Marital status, level of education, occupation, alcohol intake status and frequency of alcohol intake were linked to physical IPV ( p &lt; 0.005). Perpetrators’ characteristics associated with both sexual and emotional IPV were marital status, alcohol intake and the frequency of alcohol intake ( p &lt; 0.005). IPV perpetrators’ socio-demographic characteristics mainly marital status, level of education, alcohol abuse and alcohol intake frequency have a major contribution to the burden of IPV in Iringa municipality. Low level of education and occupation status as business persons are at higher risk of being violent physically, sexually and emotionally. Men aged between 31 and 50 years are more violent in all forms than others. Community IPV prevention interventions focusing on both men and women will be helpful since IPV perpetration may not only be initiated by men but also by women who may lack life and relationship coping skills. More research is important focusing on IPV perpetration attitude and perceptions from men and women perspectives to inform IPV prevention and management.

Christians Economic Growth Resulted from Integrating Churches’ Entrepreneurship Education to Their Livelihood Status, a Case of Iringa Municipality

This study investigated the contribution of Entrepreneurship Education (EE) by church services to the economic wellbeing of Christians in Iringa Municipality. This study used a case study design as the framework for data collection and analysis, where Semi-structured questionnaire and Key Informant Interviews were used to collect information from the involved Christians who engaged in entrepreneurial activities and accessed entrepreneurship education in a list of four churches including respondents from ELCT-DIRA (60), Catholic Church (10), Seventh Day Adventist Church (10) and Pentecostal Churches (10), the study selected three respondents. Apart from the Christian entrepreneurs, the study involved four (4) church leaders; one from each church and three (3) respondents where officials from the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA). Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and Iringa Municipality. The study employed a mixed method research approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. The statistical and thematic analysis was used to analyse quantitative and qualitative information collected from the respondents. From the study findings, it is concluded that Christians’ entrepreneurship projects contribute to their economic growth. It is vividly true that entrepreneurship contributes positively to economic growth, hence it is highly recommended that churches should put emphasis on spiritual growth as well as economic growth and the recommendation is Christian entrepreneurs should think of some ways to integrate their church services with entrepreneurship education, provide a supportive environment, useful network for entrepreneurship and to offer access to resources and opportunities such as financial assistance, training programs, market information, suppliers, customers, and partners.

Factors Contributing to Tax Compliance among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Case of Selected SMEs in Iringa Municipality

The purpose of the study was to determine factors contributing to tax compliances among small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania, with reference to selected SMEs in Iringa Municipality. The study objectives were; to evaluate the contribution of taxpayer’s education, to determine the contribution of tax rate and to assess the contribution of tax penalties on tax compliance among SMEs in Iringa Municipality. The targeted population were 172 SMEs where a sample size of 63 SMEs was drawn using descriptive research design. The study used stratified sampling technique and data were analysed using linear regression through ordinary least squares estimator showing relationship between tax compliance among SMEs as dependent variable to taxpayer education, tax rate and tax penalties as independent variables. Taxpayer education and tax penalties had a positive relationship and tax rate showed the negative relationship with tax compliance among SMEs. The results from the regression and t- test showed that taxpayer education, tax rate and tax penalties have a significant impact on tax compliance since the p-values were less than 0.05. In the case of the normal regression output the adjusted R2 equals 0.534 implying that the model explains about 53.4% variations in tax compliance among SMEs. The study concludes that tax payers’ education has positive effects on tax compliance while high tax rates discourage the SMEs on tax compliance. Nonetheless, high tax penalties positively influence tax compliance.. The study recommends fair and at moderate level tax levels and there should be more emphasis on tax payers’ education and awareness to increase tax compliance

Contribution of Microfinance Institutions to Women Socio-economic Empowerment: A Case of BRAC Branch Iringa Municipal Council, Tanzania

This study investigates the role of microfinance institutions (MFIs), with a focus on the BRAC Branch in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania, in enhancing the socio-economic empowerment of women. Using a non-experimental cross-sectional research design, primary data was collected from 66 respondents, complemented by interviews with key informants from the BRAC Institution. The research employed systematic simple random and probability sampling techniques, utilizing questionnaires and interviews as research tools, with data analysis conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study aimed to assess the impact of MFIs on women's entrepreneurship skills, examine their influence on income generation, and evaluate their role in enhancing social respect among women. MFIs, particularly the BRAC Branch, have played a pivotal role in improving the entrepreneurship skills of women borrowers. Access to resources, capital, and training has empowered women to develop and enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities. MFIs have significantly contributed to the income generation of women. By providing accessible financial services tailored to their needs, women have been able to invest in and expand their businesses, resulting in sustainable income and improved financial well-being. The study underscores the instrumental role of MFIs in enhancing social respect for women. As women become financially independent through active participation in economic activities, they gain recognition and respect within their communities. This has led to increased confidence and challenges to traditional gender norms. This research highlights the substantial strides made by microfinance institutions, particularly the BRAC Branch in Iringa Municipality, in empowering women socio-economically. The positive impacts on women's entrepreneurship skills, income generation, and social respect are evident. To further strengthen this contribution, collaborative efforts involving the government and stakeholders are recommended. Extending loan repayment periods, increasing maximum loan amounts, and providing accessible collateral options are crucial steps toward ensuring continued empowerment. These findings underscore the critical role of MFIs in advancing gender equality and socio-economic development in Tanzania.

The Women’s Perception on the Effects of Intimate Partner Violance on Women’s Psychological Wellbeing: A Case of Iringa Municipality

The general objective of this study is to examine the women perception on effects of Intimate Partner violence on women’s psychological wellbeing and Specific objectives was To explore the women’s perception on effect of physical Intimate Partner violence on women’s psychological wellbeing,&#x0D; To examine women’s perception on the effect of sexual Intimate Partner Violence on women’s psychological wellbeing and To determine the women’s perception on the effect of psychological Intimate Partner Violence on women’s psychological wellbeing.&#x0D; This study conducted at Kihesa ward, Makorongoni ward and Ruaha ward in Iringa Municipal. Using the mixed research design this study employed Convenience research to collect primary data from 361 women respondents in the study areas and adopted purposive sampling technique to collect data from three key informant. Questionnaires were used as research instrument to collect quantitative data. Quantitative data were presented in tables, frequencies and percentages then analyzed descriptively.&#x0D; Findings revealed that 74.2% of female agreed about the presence of violence in Iringa Municipal while 25.8% disagreed. On view of physical effects about 42.4% of women agreed that mental illness to the maximum, 44.9% of women confirmed that among the effects was chronic stress to women which affected mostly women at family level. The last physical effects were women being depressed by 12.7%. Furthermore, among the sexual effects, about 45.2% of women were affected through mental illness while 24.4% were affected through chronic stress. Likewise, 15.3% of women confirmed that among the effects were depression and 15.2% of women were affected through isolating themselves. Through psychological effect, about 37.7 % of women affected through mental illness, 29.3% of women affected through chronic stress, 27.5% of women affected through mental illness and 5.5% of women affected through isolation. This study concludes that in Iringa Municipal Council there is effects of physical, sexual and psychological IPV violence which affects women’s psychological wellbeing. The existing literature overwhelmingly confirms that intimate partner violence takes a severe toll on women's psychological wellbeing. It manifests as a range of psychological challenges, including trauma-related symptoms, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Recognizing the complexity of IPV's impact and the unique experiences of survivors is essential for providing effective support and interventions.

Effects of Marital Divorce on Children's Well-being in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

This study aimed to investigate the effects of marital divorce on children's well-being in Iringa Municipality under the specific objective named; to assess the psychological effects on children's well-being. The study used a Qualitative approach and descriptive research design. Data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed through a thematic approach. The findings indicated that there are direct relationship between the style of life the parents were living before divorce and the style their children live after divorce which in turn affects them and they may cause another divorce to their child in the future. Moreover, divorced marriages were found to have negative psychological effects on children either mentally or physically, misconduct behaviour, social interaction and becoming street children. The study recommends that parents must rethink critical before deciding to divorce on the future development of their children.

Institutional Barriers to Women Contesting for Political Positions, A Case of Iringa Municipality in Tanzania

The study was conducted to find out the barriers to women contesting for political positions. This study aimed to investigate the institutional barriers to women contesting for political positions in Iringa Municipality, Iringa region, Tanzania. The study adopted a cross sectional study design where interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and document analysis were used to collect information from the women political leaders facing the barriers to contesting for political positions, Women Ex Members of parliament and the ward councillors. The thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative information collected from the respondents. From the study findings, it is concluded that the institutional barriers that women encounter when contesting for political positions are Political parties, Political motivation, Supportive Networks, International Organizations, Governmental and Electoral Institutional policy and Religious Institutions. Therefore, the study recommended that in order to increase women political participation, political parties, supportive networks, international organisations, governmental and electoral institutional policy and the religious institutions are advised to pursue measures like taking advantage of the ongoing constitutional review process, the government should make sure that gender-equitable principles are incorporated into the new constitution in accordance with the nation's obligations under international, regional, and domestic agreements like the Beijing Platform for Action, the African Union's Agenda 2063, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, also by insisting formation of the intra party leadership quota trainings and mentoring between experienced and inexperienced women to improve leadership and decision-making, public speaking and self-assertion again is political campaigning to increase women’s political knowledge, skills and capacity without forgetting a general consideration on laws of campaigning funds that can promote or diminish women political participation.

Challenges Facing Teachers in the Implementation of Competence-Based Curriculum in Secondary Schools in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania

This study explores teachers' challenges in implementing a competence-based curriculum in secondary schools in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania. The Study employed a Qualitative approach and a case study design. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of 47 respondents. Data collection instruments used were interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Data from the field was analyzed through thematic analysis. The Study came up with the following findings: Shortage of time, Limited Knowledge, and Shortage of Teaching and Learning resources. The Study suggested to the government that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology should develop an implementable curriculum to ensure other education objectives are reached due to limited time. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology should go to developed countries to learn from them to overcome the challenges encountered in our education system, especially the implementation of a Competence-based Curriculum. There should be follow-up mechanisms by The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and schools in particular for Competence-Based Curriculum teaching approaches offered by secondary school teachers in Tanzania.

Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of the Tendering Process in the Public Sector: A Case of The Iringa Municipal Council

Public procurement operates within a stringent legal framework that must align with the broader goals of the Government. While procuring entities may have internal objectives, such as cost-effectiveness and timely service delivery, they must also serve the interests of the general public, who bear the tax burden. The study aimed to assess factors influencing the effectiveness of the tendering process in Iringa Municipal Council through financial resources, physical assets, and employee competence. A quantitative approach and cross-sectional design were used, whereby Transaction Cost Economics and Resource-Based View theories were adopted. Sixty-five employees were involved in this study. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis. The findings showed that effective financial resource management plays a crucial role in influencing the effectiveness of the tendering process. The Iringa Municipal Council demonstrated effective tendering with its abundant financial assets, sufficient working capital, and strong financial position. Physical assets, such as well-maintained facilities and high-quality assets, positively influenced the effectiveness of the tendering process in The Iringa Municipal Council. Employee competence, commitment, education level, and experience significantly affected the effectiveness of the tendering process at The Iringa Municipal Council. The study concluded that financial resources are essential for an effective tendering process. Their efficient allocation and management are critical to success. Adequate physical assets and their maintenance are crucial for a streamlined tendering process. The study recommended that the Government should establish clear policies to ensure the effectiveness of the tendering process in public sectors. The Iringa Municipal Council should provide robust support and training to employees involved in the tendering process to enhance its efficiency. Further studies should explore additional factors contributing to ineffective tendering processes, such as the provision of substandard goods and services, missed deadlines, and punctuality issues in public sectors, to gain deeper insights into their causes and potential solutions

Social Factors Leading to Street Children Abscondment from Rehabilitation Centres in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

This study examined social factors leading to street children's abscondment from rehabilitation centres in Iringa Municipality. Specifically, the study investigated the children’s peer pressure, social culture and children’s autonomy factors contributing to children's abscondment from the rehabilitation centres. A snowball chain was used to obtain 10 street children who absconded from the centres and Purposive sampling key informants. Interviews and documentary reviews were used for data collection. Thematic analysis technique (TAT) was used to analyze data. The results showed that social factors significantly influenced children's decisions to abscond from rehabilitation centres. The study found social factors that drive children’s decisions were peer pressure, social culture practised at rehabilitation centres and the desire for children’s freedom or autonomy played a significant role towards children's decisions to abscond from rehabilitation centres. These factors are rooted in their social experiences, relationships, and perceptions of the environment that they lived in before joining rehabilitation centres. To end the study, it concludes that children's abscondment from the rehabilitation centres was a result of a combination of social factors ranging from the influence of peer pressure, street children's autonomy and desire to regain self-independence as well as the social culture practised at the rehabilitation centres. The study recommends: (i) To rehabilitation centre, addressing social factors effectively requires rehabilitation programs to incorporate comprehensive vocational training, financial education, and sustainable livelihood options that cater to the unique needs and aspirations of street children (ii) The government must develop a coordinated multi-agency strategy to identify and share information about concerns for a children person’s safety when absconding from centres. (iii) Recommendations to scholars, the study recommends examining political ecology factors contributing to children's abscondment from rehabilitation centres to cover large areas to enable generalization.

Demographic Factors Affecting Acceptability of COVID 19 Vaccination: Experience from Community Members in Iringa Municipality

COVID 19 vaccination was fast key intervention against the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine acceptance among community members is essential to promote uptake. This study, aimed to examine how demographic factors affected accessibility of COVID 19 vaccination in Tanzania among community members. The study was mixed method research approach in nature where cross section research design was used to capture data at one time. The study employed a sample size of 120 respondents, including vaccinated, non vaccinated, key informants and respondents for focus group discussion from three wards in Iringa Municipality 0n June to July 2022. Simple random sampling was used to select 54 non vaccinated and 10 respondents for focus group discussion, snow ball for 54 vaccinated and purposively for 2 key informants. Both qualitative and quantitative data gathering techniques were employed in the study. Using descriptive statistical analysis, findings revealed that demographic factors such as elderly people, men, people with low education and entrepreneurs have an effect on public acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine. In fact, administering vaccines has a big influence on the success of handling the Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out further studies regarding the effect of these factors in receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

Social Challenges Facing Ex-Prisoners During their Integration into Societies in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

This study examined the social challenges encountered by ex-prisoners during their reintegration into society a case of Iringa Municipality. Questionnaires and key-informant interviews were used to collect quantitative data and qualitative respectively. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data, while Statistical Product for Social Solutions (SPSS Version 20) was used to analyze quantitative data. The study's findings underscored social challenges faced by ex-prisoners as they sought to reintegrate into their society that include discrimination by family members and society, difficulties in securing housing, and limited access to essential healthcare services. Based on these findings, the study recommendations include educational initiatives aimed at reducing discrimination against ex-prisoners by raising awareness about their rehabilitation and potential contributions to society.

Economic Barriers to Success of Income Generating Activities of People with Disability: Evidence from Iringa Municipal Council, Tanzania

Experience in developing countries suggests that People with Disabilities (PWDs) are earning significantly less from self-employment and the share of self-employment income in the total income of their household is lower than for the people without disabilities. This study investigates the economic barriers to the success of Income Generating Activities (IGAs) of PWDs in Iringa Municipal Council, Tanzania. The study adopted a mixed method approach targeting PWDs undertaking IGAs in the study area. A sample size of 60 key respondents and 10 key informants were drawn using purposive sampling technique. Questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion methods were used to collect primary data, while documentary review was used to collect secondary data. The study found that limited access to credits due to existence of unfriendly conditions and procedure; being not trusted by financial providers; lack of entrepreneurship education due to difficulty to reach training location and lack of information; and lack of reliable market for their IGAs commodities were the economic barriers to the success of IGAs undertaken by PWDs in the study area. The study recommends some ways to improve IGAs undertaken by PWDs that include stakeholders’ innovation to allow flexibility in addressing PWDs barriers to credit accessibility, entrepreneurship education, and markets of their business commodities.