People In Tanzania Research Articles

The Benefits of Reading: A Reflection on Nyerere’s Contributions to Education and Reading Culture

This paper addresses the reading culture during the tenure of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first President of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) from 1961 to 1985. The importance of fostering a reading culture and its consequences for personal and social development is well documented. Various stakeholders have consistently emphasized the need for society to embrace a reading culture for both individual and national betterment. This study was designed to determine the potential academic and lifelong benefits of cultivating a reading culture in society. It was constructed using synthesized information extracted from past and present sources, integrating and analysing that data to generate findings. The study employed a desk research approach, screening secondary data and documents collected from various published sources. Primary data played a secondary role in this research. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine how reading culture functions as an interlocking system of habits and logistics, (2) to assess the social construction of reading communities, (3) to explore the ideological constructions of reading, and (4) to evaluate the role of reading in healing, serving as an important reference for improving readership culture in academic settings. Findings from the study confirmed the importance and pleasure of reading, as Mwalimu Nyerere once stated: “It is a fact that we must recognize; that in dealing with the modern world, children in Europe have two big advantages over our own children. One is familiarity with mechanical things; the other, and perhaps even more important, is familiarity with books.” - Mwalimu Nyerere, Arusha, 29th November 1965. Documented research, along with individual observations, highlights that many people in Tanzania lack the habit of reading books. The noticeable decline in reading culture is alarming and threatens the development of a well-educated and learning-oriented society, including the quality of the nation's workforce. This research concluded that while the problem of poor reading culture is more pronounced in higher learning institutions and has effects on the job sector, it is attributed to several factors presented in this study. The study recommended that steps to promote reading culture are crucial to preventing the collapse of the nation's workforce. It also suggested that promoting reading in schools and universities is essential, and enhancing the reading culture should be integrated into the curriculum.

Social barriers faced by students with sensory impairment in higher education in Tanzania

AbstractThis study explored the social barriers facing students with sensory impairment in Tanzanian higher learning institutions across different settings. Twenty‐seven students were involved in semi‐structured interviews, focus group discussions and open‐ended questionnaires. Students with sensory impairment reported that across the different settings, other people view them as incapable and as a socio‐economic burden. They also revealed that they were viewed as beggars. Their perceptions of these negative views resulted in their social isolation, and difficulties in forming and maintaining friendships. The study recommends setting up awareness‐creation campaigns aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of disabled people in Tanzania. In addition, the law governing the employment of disabled people in Tanzania should be enforced accordingly to increase their employment opportunities in different sectors.

Implications of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods in drought prone areas of central Tanzania

Most of rural people in Tanzania depend on rain-fed agriculture as the source of their livelihood. The antagonistic effects of climate change and variability have swindled their activities hence communities have been adapting various strategies in sustaining their living. The study was conducted in Mpwapwa district in Dodoma region. The objective of the study was to examine the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods and the standing locally based adaptation strategies. A total of 384 sample households were selected from three study villages. Both primary and secondary data were collected whereas primary data were collected through structured questionnaire, participant observation and focus group discussions (FGD’s). Secondary data were collected from the relevant written documents and meteorological stations. A statistical analysis system, statistical package for social science version 20, Chi-square test, and percentage of normal precipitation index were used for data analysis. Accordingly, the results revealed that the area experienced climate change and variability (CCV) as the communities mentioned the perceived indicators of CCV. Such locally based indicators were corroborated with climate data obtained from Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA). Furthermore, the Percentage of Normal Precipitation Index (PNPI) was determined to indicate the severity of drought in the study area. The study also revealed that various livelihood assets were adversely affected by CCV. However, in coping with climate stresses and shocks, communities have used different adaptation strategies to minimize the adversative impacts of climate change and variability. Nevertheless, there is a requisite of developing viable adaptation strategies for communities’ wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

The Predicaments of the Rural Elderly People in Tanzania: Which Type of Support Do They Need Most? A case of Kasulu District in Kigoma Region, Tanzania

This study focused on examining the predicaments faced by older people residing in rural areas of Kasulu District in Kigoma region, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilising a cross-sectional and phenomenological research design. The population of interest encompassed all older people residing in three wards and six villages within the district. The study used a sample size of 379 respondents selected through a simple random sampling technique, and three key informants were purposively selected. Data collection involved structured interviews with respondents, unstructured interviews with key informants, and the use of focus group discussions to gather qualitative information from older people. Quantitative data underwent descriptive analysis, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The study revealed that older people faced various predicaments in their daily lives, including lack of or insufficient income, inadequate access to food and medicine, lack of necessary farming implements and inadequate support from their families. Additionally, older people received limited benefits from support mechanisms such as TASAF (Tanzania Social Action Fund) and free healthcare policy. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government and non-governmental organisations reconsider their approaches to supporting older people. The government should revise policies to address the current needs of supporting families in caring for older people, such as establishing pensions for all older people to enhance their income status

Spatial distribution of suspected and confirmed cholera cases in Mwanza City, Northern Tanzania.

Cholera, which is caused by Vibrio cholerae, persists as a devastating acute diarrheal disease. Despite availability of information on socio-cultural, agent and hosts risk factors, the disease continues to claim lives of people in Tanzania. The present study explores spatial patterns of cholera cases during a 2015-16 outbreak in Mwanza, Tanzania using a geographical information system (GIS) to identify concentrations of cholera cases. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ilemela and Nyamagana Districts, Mwanza City. The two-phase data collection included: 1) retrospectively reviewing and capturing 852 suspected cholera cases from clinical files during the outbreak between August, 2015, and April, 2016, and 2) mapping of residence of suspected and confirmed cholera cases using global positioning systems (GPS). A majority of cholera patients were from Ilemela District (546, 64.1%), were males (506, 59.4%) and their median age was 27 (19-36) years. Of the 452 (55.1%) laboratory tests, 352 (77.9%) were confirmed to have Vibrio cholerae infection. Seven patients (0.80%) died. Cholera cases clustered in certain areas of Mwanza City. Sangabuye, Bugogwa and Igoma Wards had the largest number of confirmed cholera cases, while Luchelele Ward had no reported cholera cases. Concentrations may reflect health-seeking behavior as much as disease distribution. Topographical terrain, untreated water, physical and built environment, and health-seeking behaviors play a role in cholera epidemic in Mwanza City. The spatial analysis suggests patterns of health-seeking behavior more than patterns of disease. Maps similar to those generated in this study would be an important future resource for identifying an impending cholera outbreak in real-time to coordinate community members, community leaders and health personnel for guiding targeted education, outreach, and interventions.

Factors associated with HIV testing among youth in Tanzania based on the 2016-2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS).

HIV testing continues to be a challenge among the young population in Tanzania. As of 2017, only 30% of 15-19-year-olds reported getting tested and receiving their results. This study will examine the demographic and socio-behavioral characteristics associated with HIV testing among adolescents and young adults in Tanzania. Interview data from the 2016-2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) were analyzed on 10,128 adolescents and young adults 15-24 years of age, representing 10.5 million youth in Tanzania. Weighted logistic regression was used to model the relationship of HIV testing with demographic and socio-behavioral characteristics. Half (50%) of respondents reported ever having been tested for HIV. HIV testing was significantly lower among males compared with females (AOR = 0.5;95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-0.6; p<0.001), 15-19 year olds compared with 20-24 year olds (AOR = 0.4;95% CI = 0.4-0.5; p<0.001), no education compared with secondary or post-secondary education (AOR = 0.4;95% CI = 0.3-0.6; p<0.001), rural residents compared with urban residents (AOR = 0.7;95% CI = 0.6-0.9; p<0.001) and those who don't use condoms during sexual intercourse compared with those who do (AOR = 0.6;95% CI = 0.5-0.8; p<0.001). Among HIV-infected youth, younger age group, rural residents, education less than primary, single, high income, and sex workers were significantly associated with never testing for HIV. This study highlights the majority of characteristics affecting HIV testing among young people in Tanzania have not changed over the years, thus it is necessary to re-examine the current approaches to HIV testing. The COVID-19 pandemic will add to this challenge as it collides with the ongoing HIV epidemic and competes for needed medical supplies and health care provider resources. In light of this current situation, intensified and targeted HIV testing programs for at risk young populations in Tanzania should be prioritized.

Socio-cultural and Economic Challenges Confronting Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in Kilolo District, Tanzania

The well-being of children with physical disabilities is highly dependent on the absence or reduction of the caregiving burden on caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the social, cultural, and economic challenges facing caregivers in the provision of social well-being to children with Physical Disabilities supported by MAWAKI organization in Kilolo District, Iringa region, Tanzania. The study adopted a case study design where interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to collect information from the caregivers of children with physical disabilities, MAWAKI organization staff, and Village Executive Officers (VEOs). The thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative information collected from the respondents. From the study findings, it is concluded that the social challenges facing the caregivers of children with physical disabilities include inadequate availability of social programs, marriage conflicts, and poor family relationships. The cultural challenges identified by the study to affect caregivers of children with disabilities were community negative attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs towards children with disabilities. On the other hand, the existence of poor financial support, and the high cost of health and transport services were concluded as the economic challenges facing caregivers of children with physical disabilities. Therefore, the study recommended that caregivers needed to be provided with affordable social and economic support services together with the existence of effective implementation of government policies and laws related to disabled people in Tanzania.

English

Maize (Zea mays) is the staple food for the majority of people in Tanzania which plays a key role in subsistence and a cash crop among actors of the maize value chain. Environmental factors such as soil contamination by fungi, water stress, warm and humid conditions are among several factors contributing to fungal growth and aflatoxins contamination in maize, leading to significant economic loss, reduced household income, health problems to humans and animals and interferes with food security to communities. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on awareness associated with aflatoxin contamination in maize from 160 smallholder farmers, 160 consumers and 60 traders in Kondoa and Chemba districts in Dodoma Region. A total of 90 maize samples (40 from smallholder farmers, 30 from consumers and 20 from traders) were analyzed for AFB1 using immuno-affinity high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) type Agilent Technologies 1200 serial. Data were statistically analyzed to assess awareness levels among maize main stakeholder and to check the current levels of aflatoxins B1 contamination in the study community. AFB1 was detected in five samples. About 3.3% of the contaminated maize had AFB1 levels above TBS acceptable levels (5 &micro;g/kg). The highest mean concentration of AFB1 was in maize samples taken from traders with a mean of 9.88&plusmn;5.904 &micro;g/kg. The majority 56% of smallholder farmers and 52% of traders were aware of aflatoxins contamination and associated health effects on animals and humans. However, 74% of consumers were unaware of aflatoxins contamination in maize. The levels of contamination are low in the sample taken along maize value chain. An effective and broad awareness programme for community especially consumers on good management for prevention of aflatoxins contamination is necessary, as maize is the most consumed grain in the study area.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words: Aflatoxins contamination, smallholder farmers, consumers.

Effectiveness of Exemption Measure in Providing Healthcare Services among Old People in Tanzania: The case of Kasulu District

The study aimed at assessing effectiveness of exemption measure in providing healthcare services for old people in public hospitals in Tanzania. The study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Kasulu district in Kigoma using cross sectional descriptive research design. The total number of respondents engaged in this study was 323. These included 304 old people, four medical doctors, eight nurses, one district medical officer and six social workers. Data were collected by using questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, observation and documentary review. Qualitative data was analyzed by using thematic method while quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain frequencies, percentages and statistical measures for triangulation purposes. Study findings revealed that exemption measure was partially implemented and less effective. Healthcare services in public hospitals were not easily accessible for old people under exemption measure. The major challenges affecting exemption measure is lack of essential medicine, bureaucratic procedures in executing exemption process and unofficial payments. The study hereby recommends that the government should enact law to enforce implementation of exemption and increase budget allocation to the health sector so as to increase availability of medicine and diagnostic instruments in public hospitals. Further, since the scope of the study was limited to Kasulu district; there is a need to conduct country survey to assess effectiveness of exemption measure in providing healthcare services for old people in Tanzania.

Situation Analysis of Healthcare Standards and Criteria That Contribute to the Care of Residents in Homes for Older People in Tanzania.

Problems experienced in homes for older people in Tanzania highlighted the need for a situation analysis of healthcare standards to identify the baseline of care provided to residents in these homes. This study conducted a situation analysis of structure healthcare standards and associated criteria with the aim of contributing to improved quality of care for residents in homes for older people in Tanzania. Thirty-two homes for older people in Tanzania were audited using an audit instrument that included seven fields, 26 structure standards, and 262 associated criteria. The analysis showed that overall, the homes were non-compliant with healthcare structure standards and associated criteria. The Tanzanian Government should urgently introduce measures to address the missing standards and associated criteria.

Determinants Influencing Utilization of Health Care Services in Public Hospitals among Old People Living in Rural Areas: A Case of Kasulu District in Tanzania

Utilization of health care services continues to be one of the 21 st century’s global agenda especially among old people living in low- and middle-income countries due to their health vulnerability and accelerated increase number of the aging population. This paper aimed to assess determinants influencing utilization of health care services among old people living in rural areas of Tanzania. The study was conducted in Kasulu rural district covering three wards of Kimobwa, Nyenge and Nyachenda using descriptive cross-sectional study informed by two classical theories of disengagement and functionalist. Simple random and purposeful sampling procedures were used to obtain 323 participants which included 304 old people, six Social Workers, five Medical Doctors and eight Nurses. Collection of data was done by using questionnaire, in-depth interview, focus group discussion and observation. Thematic analysis was used to analysis qualitative data while quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain frequencies, percentages and statistical measures for triangulation purposes. Study findings revealed that social-economic determinants, availability of medicine and diagnostic instruments and distance to health facility has a strong influence on utilization of health care services among the old people in Tanzania. The study strongly recommends that, the government should provide financial support to poverty-stricken families caring for old people, introduce mobile clinic or home based care to old people and raise awareness on health education among old people.

A Comparative Study on Performance of SVM and CNN in Tanzania Sign Language Translation Using Image Recognition

ABSTRACT Sign language is an effective form of communication for speech impaired people. However, there is a challenge for people without impairment to communicate with speech impaired people because most are unaware of the language. There are several Machine Learning techniques that have been used in sign language translation. However, no study has been found in Tanzania Sign Language which is the sign language used by speech impaired people in Tanzania. This study seeks to compare the performance of SVM and CNN on translating sign language through the image recognition. The study employs Tanzanian Sign Language images as datasets. Principal Component Analysis was employed for feature extraction. Furthermore, the study used Combined 5x2cv F test to compare the two techniques. The findings indicate that CNN scored 96% in all of the parameters which are accuracy, recall, and precision while SVM scored similar rate in precision but lag behind on recall and accuracy. Additionally, the results show that there is significant difference in performance between the techniques. Therefore, the study recommends the use of CNN since it has high accuracy.

Editors’ Introduction

Thematically this issue centers representation and responsiveness of state entities. The three articles featured offer distinctive methodological approaches to understanding community and representation throughout the diaspora. Our first article “From Complexity to Clarity: A Network Approach to Better Understanding Issues on a Black- Interest Agenda” by Periloux Peay and John Rackey seeks to uncover trends that members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) use to discuss, define, and prioritize issues on their agenda and if they approach these issues as interconnected, multidimensional, and complex. As you read the article please appreciate the detailed social network analysis incorporated to examine the context and effort of CBC members to communicate and identify issues of relevance to the Black community and into an institutional agenda.Our next article by Caroline Hossein moves us through the diaspora to the Caribbean. In “The Legacy of Cooperatives among the African Diaspora: The Cases of Haiti and Grenada”, Hossein explores financial cooperatives in both Haiti and Grenada by using interviews with bankers and individuals to gain deeper insight into the role these institutions play in the lives of citizens. These institutions are significant to our understanding of politics throughout the diaspora because persons who interact with these economic institutions counter similar exclusions that people of African descent in the United States face such as limited access to savings, affordable credit and access to business loans due to limited collateral. Hossein’s research helps us to understand fully that these economic alternatives are based in grassroots community solutions to meet needs that are influenced by politicized economic policy decisions.Our final research article by Rasel Madaha “A study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)” focuses on Tanzania. The Tanzanian government has established new local governments to increase efficiency in the provision of services. By using a case study model, Madaha seeks to understand how the presence of a well-established ruling regime at the local and central government levels tends to ignore the needs of marginalized people in Tanzania. The author’s methodology allows for interview participants to not only inform the researcher of their experiences but to also allow for participants to clearly identify problems for further research exploration. By employing this type of qualitative method Madaha is able to articulate in detail the marginalization of women and the complexity of providing opportunities in agricultural communities.We applaud the outstanding research the authors present in this issue. The articles presented exhibit our mission to explore the international links of African Americans and the diasporic community. We hope that you will continue to see the National Review of Black Politics as a home for your dynamic scholarship.

A Study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)

A Study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Challenges Affecting Street Vending Business in Tanzania: A Review and Analysis from the Existing Literature

The street vending business is a crucial sector for the growth of the livelihood of most poor people in Tanzania. This study aimed at answering the question: “what have researchers done concerning factors affecting street vending business?” This study critically reviewed articles related to the street vending business in Tanzania. A total of 15 academic articles were generated from Google scholar and analyzed using content analysis. This study found out that the existing literature focused on five main themes, including challenges facing street vending business, skills &amp; technology, social-cultural, law/regulation &amp; policies, and urbanization. Although the existing literature has pointed out multiple challenges affecting street vendors, if street vendors were given business skills and support from the government, they would contribute significantly to economic growth. This study contributed to new knowledge by proposing various strategies on how to improve the street vending business. The proposed strategies include; establishing clear policy and guidelines for street business, a collaborative mechanism to manage the street vendors, and enhancing street vendors' training for their growth and sustainability.

Intra-Household Handling and Consumption Dynamics of Milk in Peri-Urban Informal Markets in Tanzania and Kenya: A Gender Lens

Milk, provided it is safe, provides important micronutrients that can combat hidden hunger (undernutrition). Many peri-urban poor people in Tanzania and Kenya use informal markets to purchase milk in order to provide nutritional benefits to their families. Household decision-making processes play an influential role in how much milk to buy and how it is treated. This exploratory qualitative study, conducted in peri-urban Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, examined how access to milk, control over milk handling and safety, and intra-household milk distribution are affected by gender dynamics and by changes in milk availability and price. Focus group discussions with 48 women and 45 men and key informant interviews with 8 men and 8 women, all of whom were parents or caretakers to young children, were conducted. The results indicate that gender roles in milk purchase and handling vary. Generally, providing enough milk is a man’s responsibility, whilst a woman is expected to ensure a nutritious diet. Yet women’s limited decision-making power regarding milk purchase can restrict their ability to provide sufficient milk. Interventions to promote safe milk consumption need to consider gender norms, strengthen intra-household collaborative decision-making, include men in nutrition programming, and increase women’s control over food expenditures.

Holes in the wall: Examining gaps in knowledge in child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania - Scoping review.

To perform scoping review of the existing literature available specific to child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania. An extensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken to identify studies that focussed specifically on mental illness in children and young people in Tanzania. This included neurological and functional disorders, affective disorders, psychosis, epidemiological, intervention and treatment-based studies. Qualitative analysis of the studies was then undertaken to assess what is currently known about the subject and how reliable this information is and to identify areas for further research. Of 23 studies were included in the final synthesis, which could be broadly split into studies focussing on the prevalence and incidence of child and adolescent mental illness, hypothesised causes and correlations, identified treatments and interventions and qualitative studies of human experience. There is a dearth of published research regarding child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania. Although some high-quality studies allow us good insight into the epidemiology of mental illness, interventional studies are often small and low-power, and significant correlational relationships are yet to be drawn. There is significant scope for further child and adolescent mental health research in Tanzania.

Development of SelfSpeaking Body Weight Scale for Visually Impaired People in Tanzania

Speaking weight scale is an important low vision health aid that measures and announces the measured weight. It is valuable in numerous applications such as Bathroom scale, Kitchen scale, and more. Different talking scales have been developed for the blind community. Many talking scales have language options for English, German, French, or Spanish. However, only limited work exists for Self speaking visually impaired community in EAC given the fact that no talking scale can announce weight in Self which is the common language in EAC. Therefore, this project aims to develop a Self-speaking weighing machine to assist visually impaired people in Tanzania. The developed device is divided into two major parts. On the front end of the design, sensors are used to capture weight parameters. The captured values are mapped onto a sequence of voice patterns. The back-end consists of transferring a sequence of voice patterns to a loudspeaker whereby the voice patterns are stored on an SD card. Finally, the developed device has been evaluated on several objects with known weights. The results show that the developed device accurately measures weight, displays weight, and announces it in the Self language. However, blind people still need assistance from sighted persons to be directed to the scale’s platform. The developed device has great potential as a low vision health aid for Self speakers. Moreover, the features of this device can be further improved by integrating iBeacon technology to increase the autonomy of blind people to use the scale and navigate to the device’s location safely.

Population normative data for three cognitive screening tools for older adults in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACTIn sub-Saharan Africa (SSA),cognitive screening is complicated by both cultural and educational factors, and the existing normative values may not be applicable. The Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screen is a low-literacy measure with good diagnostic accuracy for dementia.Objective: The aim of this study is to report normative values for IDEA and other simple measures [i.e., categorical verbal fluency, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) 10-word list] in representative community-dwelling older adults in SSA.Methods: Individuals aged ≥60 years resident in 12 representative villages in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and individuals aged ≥65 years resident within three communities in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria underwent cognitive screening. The normative data were generated by the categories of age, sex, and education.Results: A total of 3,011 people in Tanzania (i.e., 57.3% females and 26.4% uneducated) and 1,117 in Nigeria (i.e., 60.3% females and 64.5% uneducated) were screened. Individuals with higher age, lower education, and female gender obtained lower scores. The 50th decile values for IDEA were 13 (60–64 years) vs. 8/9 (above 85 years), 10–11 uneducated vs. 13 primary educated, and 11/12 in females vs. 13 in males. The normative values for 10-word list delayed recall and categorical verbal fluency varied with education [i.e., delayed recall mean 2.8 [standard deviation (SD) 1.7] uneducated vs. 4.2 (SD 1.2) secondary educated; verbal fluency mean 9.2 (SD 4.8) uneducated vs. 12.2 (SD 4.3) secondary educated], substantially lower than published high-income country values.Conclusions: The cut-off values for commonly used cognitive screening items should be adjusted to suit local normative values, particularly where there are lower levels of education.

Mplications and Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Crisis to Marketing field: Experience from Tanzania Universities’ Students

This is a survey article sharing experiences from COVID-19 crisis in developing country like Tanzania. COVID-19 crisis in Tanzania was announced early this year. Since then the government and people of Tanzania have been trying on fighting the pandemic. Tanzania decided not to take the common way of lock downs like most countries in order to contain the spread of the disease. The government urged people to take precautions while continue working. One of the precautions was closing universities. Now this article is putting forward the implications and lessons learned from COVID-19 by marketing students after closure of the universities. Experience is drawn from 26 students using snowball sampling procedure where in- depth interviews were conducted to undergraduate and working part-time graduate students. The sample was taken from public and private universities and cross section research design was used. Content analysis was carried out. Collaborations and sharing digital learning experience before crisis universities and businesses were the summary findings. Thus there are lot to learn by universities, students and businesses as a result of the crisis.