Development Studies Collection

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    Impact of climate variability and change adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of sorghum production in Manyoni District, Tanzania
    (Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Mbwambo, E. P.; Kabote, S. J.; Kazuzuru, B.
    Climate variability and change adaptation strategies are increasingly becoming fundamental for improving efficiency in agricultural production in Tanzania and elsewhere in developing countries. However, empirical evidence on how adaptation strategies improve agricultural technical efficiency on drought resistant varieties like sorghum is inadequate in Tanzania. This study was conducted to address this knowledge lacuna in the literature. With cross-sectional research design, we used a household survey to collect data from 330 randomly selected household heads. A Cobb- Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to determine the impact of adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of sorghum production. Farmers adapted a number of strategies including drought tolerant crops, conservation agriculture, drainage system, early maturing crops, use of hired labour, resistant livestock breeds, membership in farmer organizations, access to extension services, and access to credit to cushion climate variability and change impact. Six strategies including use of drought tolerant crops, drainage systems, conservation agriculture, membership in farmer organizations, access to extension services and access to credit showed significant impact on technical efficiency of sorghum production at 5% level of significance. Such strategies were effective in improving technical efficiency of sorghum production. However, about half of the respondents were less efficient. Therefore, farmers’ adaptation strategies were indisputably essential in semi-arid environments like Manyoni district. Nevertheless, a policy to heighten use of the effective farmers’ adaptation strategies to cushion climate variability and change impact should be devised and effectively executed to strengthen farmers’ efficiency.
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    Public-private partnership supported health facilities and progress towards attainment of universal health coverage in Kilimanjaro,Tanzania
    (Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2022) Kanti,Kimario; Kim,Kayunze; Mikidadi,Muhanga
    Public-Private-Partnership-supported health facilities have been operational in Tanzania, and specifically, in Kilimanjaro since 1990s. This study provides a snapshot of the contribution of PPP-supported health facilities’ operations towards attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kilimanjaro region. Methods Adopting a cross-sectional research design, samples of 384 households and 30 health facilities were selected through a multi-stage and purposive sampling approaches, respectively. Questionnaires and key informant interviews (KIIs) were administered (June 2020 - February 2021). Using IBM-SPSS v.23, chi-square was used to compare PPP-supported and government health facilities’ service delivery quality and affordability. Content analysis was done on KIIs. Results With PPP-support unweighted mean index score for service availability (SA) was 46.59% and 29.14% without PPP-supported health facilities. With PPP-support, the GSR index score was 87% while it was 82% without PPP-support. This implies, with PPP-support, progress towards UHC attainment can be accelerated. There was no significant association between accessing services in PPP-supported or government health facilities by perceived service delivery quality and service affordability. Conclusion PPP-supported and government health facilities co-existence is essential at hastening the progress towards UHC in the study area. The government should strengthen policies and regulations to promote more PPPs in improving health facilities’ operations.
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    Trends in prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancies in Zambia (2001–2018)
    (BMC, 2024) Sikaluzwe, Milika; Phiri, Million; Lemba, Musonda; Shasha, Liness; Muhanga, Mikidadi
    Background Unintended pregnancies can pose significant public health concerns for both maternal and child health because of their associated risks and implications. Experience of unintended pregnancies may lead to delay in seeking antenatal care, thus leading to increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Globally, the prevalence of unintended pregnancies has declined. However, the problem remains acute in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with an experience of unintended pregnancy among women of reproductive ages in Zambia. Methods This study used secondary data from the Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHSs) which were conducted between 2001 and 2018. A pooled weighted sample of 4,090 pregnant women of reproductive age 15–49 years at the time of the survey was included in the analysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed to examine the association between independent correlates and experience of unintended pregnancy. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software. Results Findings show that the proportion of women of reproductive age who experienced unintended pregnancy in Zambia declined from 50.4% (95% CI: 47.1, 53.8) in 2001 to 45.2% (95% CI: 40.5, 49.9) in 2018. The decline in the prevalence of unintended pregnancy is more pronounced among women age groups 25–29 years and 30–34 years. Increasing age was associated with an increased risk of experiencing unintended pregnancies. On the other hand, women who were living in rural areas (aOR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.00) and those with tertiary education (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.80) were less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy. Women who desired a large family (aOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.85) and those who watched television (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.94) had lower odds of experiencing unintended pregnancies. Conclusions The study has established that the prevalence of unintended pregnancy is still high in Zambia. Women’s age, place of residence, level of education, desired family size and exposure to media were associated with the risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy. Enhancing access to family planning services and commodities targeting women with low education levels will be key to further reduce unintended pregnancies.
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    Public-private partnership supported health facilities and progress towards attainment of universal health coverage in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
    (Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2022) Kanti,Kimario; Kim,Kayunze; Mikidadi,Muhanga
    Background Public-Private-Partnership-supported health facilities have been operational in Tanzania, and specifically, in Kilimanjaro since 1990s. This study provides a snapshot of the contribution of PPP-supported health facilities’ operations towards attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kilimanjaro region. Methods Adopting a cross-sectional research design, samples of 384 households and 30 health facilities were selected through a multi-stage and purposive sampling approaches, respectively. Questionnaires and key informant interviews (KIIs) were administered (June 2020 - February 2021). Using IBM-SPSS v.23, chi-square was used to compare PPP-supported and government health facilities’ service delivery quality and affordability. Content analysis was done on KIIs. Results With PPP-support unweighted mean index score for service availability (SA) was 46.59% and 29.14% without PPP-supported health facilities. With PPP-support, the GSR index score was 87% while it was 82% without PPP-support. This implies, with PPP-support, progress towards UHC attainment can be accelerated. There was no significant association between accessing services in PPP-supported or government health facilities by perceived service delivery quality and service affordability. Conclusion PPP-supported and government health facilities co-existence is essential at hastening the progress towards UHC in the study area. The government should strengthen policies and regulations to promote more PPPs in improving health facilities’ operations.
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    Tobacco farming and its implications on poverty status: farmers’ perspectives in Urambo district Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) Mkufya Peter Stewart
    In its efforts to alleviate poverty among tobacco growers, the government of Tanzania adopted sub-sectoral reform aiming at improving tobacco gross margin. One of the basic strategies was the empowerment of co-operatives to source out finance through banks. It was in view of these initiatives that this study was undertaken in December 2009 and February 2010, to find out why poverty persists among tobacco growers despite the high income ensuing from tobacco production. The specific objectives of the study were to: estimate profitability of tobacco production; determine poverty status; determine expenditure of income from tobacco: assess perception of tobacco growers on tobacco farming and finally assess socio-economic factors affecting tobacco growers. The study findings show that, the respondents produce average of 1192 kg/ha which is below the potential production of 1900 kg/ha. The gross margin analysis reveals that, respondents’ gross margin is 70% of total revenue per ha. Considering government minimum salary scale of Tshs 104 000 per month as a benchmark, respondents earn twice of the same from tobacco production per month. Regression analysis indicates that yield per ha had beta wait of +0.743(p<000), contributing significantly on increased gross margin than other variables. Further, respondents spend over 50% of their income on food, which accounts for the prevailing reality of poverty. Tobacco low yield, large household size, insufficient food crops production, inefficiency performance of cooperatives, lack of entrepreneurial training and lack of other income generating activities, contribute in accounting for poverty persistence. The study recommends that the Government provides goods which promote utilization of income generated from tobacco such as building materials, schools, health and communication.
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    Street children problems in Tanzania a case study of Moshi Municipality Kilimanjaro region
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2002) Mbatian Ntahilaja Ester
    This study aimed at finding strategies for alleviating the street children (SC) problem in Tanzania. The study was carried out in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Region. This study has been prompted by the fact that there has been persistent problem of children running from their households and living in urban streets. This will have a negative impact on economic development if not taken care of. If this problem is not taken care of, in few years coming; there will be unmanageable number of street children in this country. It should also be noted that children are the future owner of this country. Ignoring this problem would mean impoverishing this country instead of developing it, since human labour is one of the most decisive element of any kind of development. The general objective of this study was to identify the social, cultural and economic factors influencing the increase of street children problem and specifically to: (i) Investigate the role of gender relations in households to street children problem, (ii) Investigate strategics used in alleviating street children problem in Tanzania with particular reference to Moshi Municipality (iii) Examine how street children centres function, (iv) Investigate the reasons why children are more willing to live in streets rather than in street children centres/The result shows that various factors have contributed to the problem of street children which include poverty; inefficiency of street children centres (SCC) established to combat this problem, ineffective National policies; too much dependence on foreign donor support to alleviate this problem etc. Basing on the study results some recommendations/ suggestion shows that the success in eradication of SC problem requires committed community and individuals the elements which are presently lacking. Second the Government should have clear, specific policy on eradication of street children iii problem. And there should be specific uniform policy guiding establishment and operation of centres for street children. This would be possible only alter clearly defining as ‘who is a child’. Parents and the whole community should also be involved in child development. Thus get knowledge on why children arc running from their households and on the danger of letting children in streets.
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    School-based efforts (sbes) towards promotion of health literacy (hl) and health-related knowledge (hrk) in selected primary schools in Morogoro,Tanzania
    (The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021) Mshingo,David; Muhanga,Mikidadi
    Numerous efforts have been made by the government in Tanzania to improve health literacy (HL). Despite the efforts, there are notable incidents of low and problematic HL among the general population. Socialization agents, schools inclusive, have been observed to have significant influence on health promotion. It is not empirically known to what extent schools as socialization agents have been involved in these initiatives. The schools can initiate school-based efforts (SBEs) to promote HL and health related knowledge to nurture health consciousness hence healthier lives. This study was conducted to identify school-based efforts (SBEs) towards promotion of health literacy (HL) and health-related knowledge (HRK) in selected primary schools. A cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect data from 939 respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and key informant interview. Data was analysed using IBM - SPSS (v20). Findings from teachers, 50.3% (95% CI: 82 to 108) showed that environments and pupils inspections were among the SBEs to promote HL in schools. Whereas, health education provision 25.9% (95% CI: 38 to 61), presence of learning materials in schools 23.8% (95% CI: 34 to 57). Findings from pupils 59.6% (95% CI: 399 to 497) and 24.9% (95% CI: 165 to 211) revealed that time available for health education, and learning materials on health issues were insufficient in schools, while 15.5% (95% CI: 98 to 136) of the respondents were ignorant about the efforts being made to improve HL. About 23.7% (95% CI: 35 to 54) of the respondents confirmed efforts made by health workers on health issues in schools towards HL promotion. Most teachers 76.6% (95% CI: 118 to 176) complained about health workers failures to update teachers on health issues. Generally, this study concludes that there are several efforts which have been made to promote HL in schools. However, these efforts have not yet fully succeeded to bring much positive effects since HRK is still low in schools. It is recommended that, to fully succeed in promoting HL and HRK, governments and other partners should support the schools’ efforts undertaken to support HL in schools.
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    Choice of desired family size among young women in Zambia: what matters?
    (Springer, 2023) Phiri,Million; Shasha,Liness; Musonda,Emmanuel; Muhanga,Mikidadi
    In many developing countries, population expansion and high fertility rates have been of concern to individuals, society, and governments. Zambia is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been experiencing high fertility for more than four decades since it attained independence. Understanding of factors associ- ated with desired family size, especially amongst young women, is important be- cause their future reproductive behaviour has the potential to influence the country’s course of fertility. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the determinants of family size choice among young women in Zambia. The study analysed data extracted from repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2007, 2013 and 2018. The analysis was done on a pooled weighted sample of 15,528 young women aged 15–24 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associat- ed with the desired family size of young women. All analyses were conducted using Stata software version 17 and considered complex survey design. The prevalence of young women who had the desire of at least 4 children has been considerably high in Zambia, at 63.2%. Young women in the age group 20–24 were found to have higher odds (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66) of desiring at least 4 children compared to those aged 15–19. Women living in the rural areas were (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.79) more likely to desire at least 4 children compared to their counterparts living in urban areas. Age of a young woman, place of residence, level of education, household wealth status, number of living children, and exposure to mass-media family planning messages were significantly associated with desire of at least 4 children. The desire for a large family size remains a social concern for reducing fertility in Zambia. This is because the proportion of young women who desire a large family size has been consistently high. Increasing access to education and sexual reproductive health information to young women especially to those in rural areas is key to changing their reproductive behaviour.
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    The quest for accountability of health facility governing committees implementing direct health facility financing in Tanzania: a supply-side experience
    (PLOS, 2022) Kesale,Anosisye Mwandulusya; Mahonge,Christopher; Muhanga,Mikidadi
    User committees, such as Health Facility Governing Committees, are popular platforms for representing communities and civil society in holding service providers accountable. Fiscal decentralization via various arrangements such as Direct Health Facility Financing is thought to strengthen Health Facility Governing Committees in improving accountability in carrying out the devolved tasks and mandates. The purpose of this study was to analyze the status of accountability of Health Facility Governing Committees in Tanzania under the Direct Health Facility Financing setting as perceived by the supply side. In 32 different health institutions, a cross-sectional design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data at one point in time. Data was collected through a closed-ended questionnaire, an in- depth interview, and a Focus Group Discussion. Descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression, and theme analysis were used to analyze the data. According to the findings, Health Facility Governing Committees’ accountability is 78%. Committees have a high level of accountability in terms of encouraging the community to join community health funds (91.71%), receiving medicines and medical commodities (88.57%), and providing timely health services (84.29%). The health facility governance committee’s responsibility was shown to be substantially connected with the health planning component (p = 0.0048) and the financial management aspect (p = 0.0045). This study found that the fiscal decentraliza- tion setting permits Committees to be accountable for carrying out their obligations, resulting in improved health service delivery in developing nations.
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    The functionality variation among health facility governing committees under direct health facility financing in Tanzania
    (PLOS, 2022) Kesale,Anosisye Mwandulusya; Mahonge,Christopher; Muhanga,Mikidadi
    Decentralization reforms through Direct Health Facilities Financing (DHFF) have empow- ered Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to participate in different governance aspects to improve service delivery at the facility level. However, there is little research on how empowered HFGCs perform in the context of the DHFF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functionality of HFGCs under DHFF in Tanzanian primary health care facili- ties that had variation of performance in 2018. To collect both qualitative and quantitative data, the study used a cross-section design. The study had a sample size of 280 respon- dents, who were chosen using a multistage cluster sampling technique from 32 primary health care facilities that were practicing DHFF. Data was collected via a closed-ended structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews with chairpersons of HFGCs, and Focus Group Discussions. To examine the functionality of HFGCs, researchers used descriptive and theme analysis. In the 2018-star rating assessment, the study discovered that HFGCs functioned well in both high and low-performing health facilities. When HFGCs from high- performing health facilities were compared to HFGCs from low-performing health facilities, it was discovered that HFGCs from the high-performing health facilities had comparatively high functionality. The functionality of HFGCs in Tanzania has thus been impacted by the DHFF context.
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    Promoting up scaling of water system innovations: the case of Makanya watershed, Same, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2007) Byakugila, Medardi Mukulasi
    Many innovations have shown to be effective in pilot studies, but the adoption of most of these technologies on a wider scale has always been a concern. In the uplands of the Makanya river watershed, terraces have higher extent of diffusion than in midland. The reasons behind the high extent of adoption of terraces in the uplands were not clearly known. However, these suggested that there could be special strategies behind the diffusion of terraces, which when explored would help to develop strategies for wider adoption and diffusion of water system innovations (WSIs) in the area. A questionnaire survey was used in conjunction with qualitative approaches such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were the main tool used for data analysis. The findings made on the adoption and diffusion of terraces technologies revealed that time factor, sufficient communities’ awareness on terraces, and intervention by NGOs and development projects were major factors for wider diffusion of terraces technology. Terraces were introduced in the area by the colonial government in 1930s, and in 1980s, NGOs with intervention in soil and water conservation started working in the area. Time factor provided enough opportunity to build sufficient communities’ awareness on terraces. Interventions by NGOs and development projects in the 1980s, underlined the reason for increased uptake of terrace innovations from 1980s though the technology was long before introduced in the study area. The understanding of the diffusion of terraces technology enabled the study to develop a framework that could promote up scaling of water systems innovations (WSIs) at watershed level. The framework could not be tested due to limitation by resources. However it is recommended that it should be tested and improved for successful scaling upiii of WSIs at watershed level. This will bring improved livelihood of people in the watershed. Key elements of the framework are: validation of innovation to be scaled up, introduction to authorities, identification of potential local change agents, establishment of local change agents, employment of appropriate diffusion pathways, and evaluation of the scaling up processes.
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    Vulnerability to and coping strategies against food insecurity in Chamwino district, Tanzania
    (2018) Assenga, Emiliana A.; Kayunze, Kim A.
    Vulnerability to food insecurity persists in Chamwino District in spite of presence of various strategies to fight against it. The research on which this paper is based aimed at determining vulnerability to and coping strategies against food insecurity in the district. Specifically, the paper assesses the extent of vulnerability to food insecurity, determines coping strategies against vulnerability to food insecurity, analyses determinants of vulnerability to food insecurity and compares vulnerability to food insecurity among households with different coping strategies. A cross- sectional research design was used to collect data from 400 households which were randomly selected. A household food insecurity access scale was used to measure vulnerability to food insecurity. Using multiple linear regression total annual household income per adult equivalent, non-farm income generating activities, reducing meal size and food stored significantly influenced (p < 0.05) surveyed households’ vulner- ability to food insecurity. Most households relied on less preferred foods as a food insecurity coping strategy. Households were vulnerable to food insecurity with 75% of households experiencing mildly to severe vulnerability to food insecurity. One-way ANOVA showed that vulnerability to food insecurity differed significantly (p < 0.001) among households with different coping strategies. The paper concludes that coping strategies used against vulnerability to food insecurity had short-term effects, and vulnerability to food insecurity differed significantly based on coping strategies. Improving non-farm income generating activities, total house- hold income and increasing food stored in the household can help more reduce vulnerability to food insecurity than any other factors can do. Ac- cordingly, these factors should be given high importance, among others.
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    Work and Human Ethics in Public Service in Malawi
    (The College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2019) Mphepo, P. J.; Muhanga, M. I.
    The effectiveness of the public service in most of the least developed countries (LDCs) is highly questionable. Malawi is not an exception. The government of Malawi launched a code of ethics and conduct in 2013 basically to enhance the delivery of quality services to the public. Despite that, the media has been almost daily reporting a lot of misconduct and malpractices in the public service including non-adherence of the Public servants' work ethics, embezzlement of public resources, corruption, among others. This article discusses work ethics and human ethics in Malawi. A documentary research method was used in collecting relevant information from peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, and the media. Different search engines and databases were used in information search. The search strategy involved key words such as work ethics, human ethics, public service, Malawian public service', misconduct and malpractices in the public service, Public servants' work ethics, embezzlement of public resources, corruption, among others. The literature search identified a total of 2,132 references related to a set of specified search terms. Only Sixty (60) studies met the final criteria for review. The study found out that most of these misconducts are taking place because of the low salaries civil servants receive, lack of knowledge about the work ethics and code of conduct, weaker structures enforcing the code of ethics, shortage of staff, lack of resources in the government and also because of lack of proper channels for reporting unethical behaviour. Non-adherence to work ethics has resulted into poor services being delivered. This, therefore, calls for a need for the government for sensitization of staff on work ethics and improve working condition in the public service. In recruitment, the government has to make sure that it employs that have good reputation of work ethics in their previous employment and there has to be a routine performance appraisal.
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    Efectiveness of participatory monitoring and evaluation on achievement of community‑based water projects in Tanzania
    (Applied Water Science, 2020-08-03) Kabote, S.J; Mgoba, S.A
    The Government of Tanzania is struggling to implement water projects throughout the country to ensure that 90% of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water by 2025. While most of the community-based water projects fail to deliver as expected, participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E), critical for projects’ achievement, is at an infancy stage. This article determines effectiveness of PM&E on achievement of community-based water projects’ objectives. The article adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 120 water users in the government and NGOs funded projects was involved whereby 53.3% were women. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. SPSS was used to summarize descriptive statistics. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare median differences between the projects, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Overall, 51.7% of the respondents reported that community-based water projects’ objectives were achieved except capacity building. The projects funded by NGOs recorded high achievement relative to the government funded projects. In addition, PM&E was effective in achieving water projects’ objectives. There was a statistically significant difference in responses between low, medium and high effectiveness of PM&E (P ≤ 0.05). Majority reported high effectiveness, more so for NGOs-funded water projects. The article concludes that PM&E was effective in achieving projects’ objectives except capacity building. Therefore, it recommends strengthening of capacity building for the local communities to manage community-based water projects effectively. This is a policy issue that needs serious efforts at all levels of the government.
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    Get Connected Or Get Destroyed? Adolescents And Mobile Devices In Urban Settings In Tanzania
    (International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications, 2017-09) Muhanga, M.
    This study was conducted to assess the impact of the mobile phones among adolescents in secondary schools in Morogoro municipality in Tanzania . Specifically the study determined the influence of mobile phones on students‟ behaviors, and assessed the impact of mobile phones on students‟ academic performance. A cross sectional research design was used to obtain data from both primary and secondary sources of information through structured questionnaire from 90 respondents obtained through simple random sampling. The collected data were coded and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer program. Findings revealed that, 93.3% of the interviewed respondents‟ access and use mobile phones, and 63.3% agreed that mobile phones usage among secondary school students cause behavioural changes. Also the study revealed that students use mobile phones to organize and maintain their social networks (8.9%), search materials on internet and organize discussion (54.4%), and informing their parents‟ on issues concerning their education (1.1%). A number of impacts on using mobile phones were revealed, including; facilitating engagement of students in sexual affairs (41.1%), decline in moral values (43.3%), decrease in academic performance (91.1%), causing health problems to students (50.0%), cause disturbance in studies (47.8%) and resulting to time wasting (88.9%). This study recommends various measures to be taken by secondary school teachers and parents to minimize the use of mobile phones among secondary school students hence ensuring that students are getting time to concentrate on their studies and improve academic performance.
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    Does Attitude Associate, Correlate, Or Cause Behaviour? An Assessment Of Attitude Towards Health Behaviour Under One Health Approach In Morogoro, Tanzania
    (International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications, 2017) Muhanga, M.; Malungo, J.R.S.
    Literature doesn‘t empirically posit it very clear whether attitude associates to, correlates or cause certain health behaviours. Yet; little that is known is limited to associating attitudes with health behaviour in the context which did not take into account the interaction of humans, animals and the environment. A cross sectional study was conducted in Morogoro urban and Mvomero districts in Tanzania , aiming at:- (i)assessing attitudes over health behaviour under the interface of humans, animals and the environment; and, (ii) analyzing associations, correlations and causality existing between attitudes on health behaviour and health impairing habits/practices under One Health Approach. The sample comprised of 240 respondents obtained through a multistage sampling procedure. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire using a Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic platform. Associations between attitude and health behavior were modest at p value=<0.001, correlation coefficient was significant with r = .235 and p-value = <0.01, and no evidence of having attitudes directly causing certain behaviours was established. In logit regression analysis, health literacy was found to predict health behaviours too. Individual behaviors performed in a particular context tend to be influenced not only by general attitudes but by a wide range of additional factors.
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    Sexual health knowledge among secondary school students in Morogoro, Tanzania: half full or full empty?
    (Science Publishing Company (SPC), 2017) Kaale, G.; Muhanga, M.
    Background: Sexual health knowledge (SHK) is very crucial as the world is facing HIV/AIDS tragedy, increased cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unsafe abortions among adolescents. It is obvious that knowledge is an important prevention factor for any disease. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude on sexual health among secondary school students in Morogoro Municipality. Specifically the study (I: (i) examined students’ knowledge and attitude on sexual transmitted infections, (ii) analyzed stu-dent's awareness on early pregnancy prevention, and; (iii) determined students’ knowledge on issues related to puberty. Methods: The study involved 75 respondents from five secondary schools and 13 key informants through purposive sampling and sim-ple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) ver.12. Results: Findings revealed that 79.8% of the respondents had knowledge on sexually transmitted infections, 86.5% were aware of methods of controlling early pregnancies; 83.9% have never used protective gears during sexual intercourses, and 54.7% did not under-stand a menstruation cycle. Conclusion: The study recommended for provision of sexual health knowledge to students to reduce incidences of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections; likewise on the need to use protective gears during sexual intercourses. Knowledge concerning sexual health is vital for all particularly for adolescents, as they are vulnerable to adopt negative behaviors if not guided properly and at the right age.
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    Health literacy and its correlates in the context of one health approach in Tanzania
    (Co-operative and Business Studies, 2018) Muhanga, M; Malungo, J.R.S
    Health literacy is an important predictor of health outcomes, health care costs and utilization, yet most countries, Tanzania inclusive, lack health literacy measurements in their health datasets. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Morogoro urban and Mvomero districts in Morogoro, Tanzania to assess health literacy and its correlates in the interface of humans, animals and the environment. The sample comprised of 240 respondents was obtained through a multistage sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire administered through a Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic platform was used to collect data. Health literacy was measured using a context specific One Health Literacy Assessment Tool (OHLT) developed to capture health related aspects reflecting the interactions of humans, animals and the environment. The study used IBM-SPSS (v20) and Gretl software to analyse quantitative data. The results revealed that 36.3% of the respondents had Inadequate Health Literacy, followed with Marginal Health Literacy at 30.8% and Adequate Health Literacy standing at 32.9%. Pearson coefficient correlation revealed health literacy correlating to group of attitudes (r=0.135, p<0.01), levels of engagement in health-related discussion (r=0.609, p<0.05), health behaviours categories (r=-0.648, p<0.05) and category of information seeking (r=0.753, p<0.05). Efforts should be made by the government and non-governmental organizations to promote health literacy in the context of One Health Approach through mass awareness given its importance towards realization of optimal health for humans, animals and the environment.
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    Contribution of local chicken production towards improving peoples wellbeing: A Case of Peri-Urban areas of Kinondoni District, Tanzania
    (2018-02-23) Chingonikaya1, E. E.; Salehe, F. S.
    Several studies have been conducted on characterization of local chicken production systems in some places of Tanzania, yet clear information is limited regarding to its contribution towards improving peoples wellbeing particularly its socio-economic importance in the country. This study therefore accessed the socio- economic importance of local chickens’ production in peri-urban areas of Kinondoni District, Dar es salaam-Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was employed. The study was conducted in peri-urban areas of Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam Region involving three peripheral wards namely: Kibamba, Kwembe and Mabwepande, between September and October 2014. Both purposive and random sampling was used. Purposive sampling was used in selecting six streets from which local chickens were kept and random sampling was used in selecting 90 local chicken keepers (15 local chicken keepers per street) from the list provided by livestock extension officer. Data were collected using a household questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant interview (KI) methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using respective methods of data analysis (SPSS).The study findings found that, the local chicken contributes to peri-urban household’s wellbeing as 92.2% of all the respondents spent some amounts of local chicken earnings to buy food. This shows that local chicken keeping contributes to improving food security at the households of the local chicken keepers.Some households used local chicken for gift giving, rituals and detection of time. Education level, initial capital, experience of local chicken keeping, rearing systems, accessibility to extension services and constraints were significantly influencing production of the local chicken (p<0.05). The researchers conclude that local chicken production improves socio-economies of peri-urban households of Kinondoni District. The study recommends that various stakeholders including the local governments should put more emphasis on promoting local chicken production as it contributes to the smallholder household’s socio-economies.
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    Schistosomiasis: A comparative study of its socioeconomic consequences in different types of irrigation schemes in Tanzania.
    (2012) Salehe, F. S.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mattee, A. Z.; Hassan, S. N.
    This study was carried out through a cross-sectional design in June through August, 2010 in modern, improved traditional and traditional irrigation schemes in Kilimanjaro and Morogororo Regions, Tanzania. A total of 240 irrigation rice farming respondents were selected purposively at head, middle and tail of each scheme. Interviews using structured questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. T-test was used to determine variation in different variables for infected farmers between irrigation schemes, and for the same variables between infected and non-infected farmers within the same irrigation schemes. Infection was least at a traditional scheme, but high at a modern scheme both in Kilimanjaro Region. Consequently, infected farmers at Kilimanjaro modern scheme lost the highest number of working days on treatment and care of oneself/family members, 14-30 days per season compared to 4-13 days for infected farmers at a traditional scheme in Morogoro Region. We also found significant difference on income accrued from rice selling between infected farmers in modern (p > 0.001) and traditional schemes (p > 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in net working hours per month between infected versus non-infected farmers in modern (p>0.001), improved traditional (p = 0.006) and traditional (p > 0.001) schemes. Since some of infected farmers in Morogoro schemes sold what could have been their food, assets and livestock the study concluded that schistosomiasis has not only caused illness to those infected, but it had impact on socio- economic development of those infected and their households at large.