Browsing by Author "Mosha, Theobald"

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    Implementation status of Tanzania's national school feeding guideline: a case study of Morogoro Municipality
    (European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2026) Haneul, Go; Mosha, Theobald; Pacific, Renatha; Kandonga, Agness
    Aims: In the context of Tanzania’s National School Feeding and Nutrition Services Guideline (2020), this study aimed to assess its implementation in primary schools, focusing on meal provision and parental contributions as key operational components. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted in primary schools in Morogoro Municipality between June and August 2025.Data were collected from 10 primary schools (six public and four private). Quantitative data were obtained through structured surveys administered to 381 pupils in grades 5–7. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews with 10 head teachers and focus group discussions with 25 school food committee members. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests, while qualitative data were analysed thematically to explore school-level practices related to meal provision and parental contributions. Results: School meals comprised 3.55 food groups, with private schools providing significantly more diverse meals than public schools (p < .001). Most public schools relied on simple and repetitive meals, primarily cereals and legumes, reflecting limited and irregular parental contributions and constrained storage facilities. Qualitative findings indicated that head teachers and teachers played a central role in menu planning and programme management, with decisions largely shaped by resource availability rather than full adherence to guideline standards. Parental contributions were the primary source of financing across all schools, though contributions were often insufficient to support diversified meal provision. Conclusion: The findings suggest a gap between national school feeding policy expectations and school-level implementation capacity. Differences in meal diversity and financing arrangements appeared to reflect variation in household economic capacity and school-level resources. Strengthening school-level technical support for menu planning, together with improved communication and reporting mechanisms, may improve adherence to guideline standards. In addition, clearer operational guidance, standardized reporting mechanisms, and stronger mechanisms for parent involvement may support more consistent and equitable implementation of school feeding programmes.
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    Influence of socio-demographic factors on dietary diversity among pregnant business women in Tunduma town council, Tanzania
    (European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2025) Peter, Senorina; Mosha, Theobald; Majili, Zahra
    Background: Dietary diversity was a key factor in nutritional sufficiency particularly for business women who struggle to access diverse nutrients rich foods due to socio economic and occupational pressures that limited their access to nutrient-rich foods. Methods: The panel longitudinal study examined the influence of socio demographic factors on dietary diversity of 223 pregnant business women attending antenatal clinics from their second trimesters to term. Data collected from November 2024 up to May 2025 at baseline (Socio demographic factors and dietary diversity) and dietary diversity was included during endline. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for women (MDD-W) was based on 10 food groups as recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and seven days food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake of pregnant women. Results: The mean age of the women was 29.58± 6.96 (SD), among them 110 (49.3%) were aged between 20 and 35 years. The findings revealed that at baseline 55.6% of the pregnant business women had inadequate dietary diversity and slightly improved during endline with 65.5% exhibiting adequate dietary diversity. The consumption of cereal base foods was high at both baseline (100%) and endline (100%) while intake of other food groups show that vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables rising from 49.7% to 66.4%, eggs from 39% to 63.2%, meat, poultry and fish from 43.5% to 62.2%. The increase of consumption occurred due to changes of meal when mothers delivery. Based on binary regression model the findings showed that at baseline and endline demographic factors particularly age (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 2.04-2.44), education level (AOR=1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.61, and income (AOR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.62-2.02), type of business (AOR=1.45 95% CI: 1.25-1.65), marital status (AOR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.52) and household size(AOR= 1.45, 95% CI: 1.23-1.63) significantly influenced minimum dietary diversity among respondents. Conclusion: Dietary pattern during pregnancy suggested potential risks for micronutrient deficiencies due to suboptimal consumption of diversified food groups. Government, health care providers, NGOs and other stakeholders should implement nutritional counseling before pregnancy, improve access to diverse local food markets and enhance fortification programs