Nutrition governance and accountability in implementing nutrition services in Morogoro Urban And Rural District Councils, Tanzania
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Date
2023-04
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Background: Nutrition governance and accountability have gained importance in Tanzania
and the rest of Africa as a result of strong initiatives to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.
This study aimed at assessing nutrition governance and accountability in the implementation
of nutrition services.
Methodology: The assessment was based on nutrition budget planning and spending,
coordination of nutrition through the meetings of Council Multisectoral Steering Committee
on Nutrition (CMSCN) and Development Committee at Ward and Village/Mtaa levels. The
assessment also looked at the way in which nutrition data and information were collected,
accessed and used in informing policy implementation. The study was conducted in
Morogoro Municipal Council (urban) and Morogoro District Council (rural) within Morogoro
region in Tanzania. A total of 140 respondents were reached, who were the members
CMSCN and development committee at ward and village/ mtaa. Data were collected through
face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Other method of getting data
included observation and documents review. Data analysis involved mainly qualitative
approach such as the content analysis. Information sought from the respondents included
their opinions and understanding of nutrition in budgeting, information sharing for
accountability and planning.
Results: It has been found out that adherence to nutrition budgeting guideline of allocating
1000 Tanzania shillings per every child below the age of five years was low in Morogoro
District Council (rural) in comparison to Morogoro Municipal Council (urban). Possible
reasons could be the relatively lower revenue collection as well as lack of accountability,
commitment and knowledge of consequences of poor nutrition. Moreover, coordination of
nutrition based on the terms of reference that were set by the President’s Office-Regional
Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) in 2018 was not adhered fully at all levels,
but the situation was worse at sub-ward level (Village and Mtaa). The collection and use of
nutrition information was faced with failure in capturing data of some crucial nutrition
indicators. Also, the recorded data in some cases was not reflecting the actual situation,
while the available data was not accessed easily and therefore not been able to utilize the
nutrition information effectively to inform policy making and decision making. Conclusion: Nutrition governance and accountability through nutrition
budgeting,
coordination and use of nutrition information for informing policy implementation at council
and sub-council levels are still facing a number of challenges related with low nutrition
budget spending especially at the Morogoro District Council, probably caused by low
prioritization of nutrition and low understanding of nutrition issues. Coordination of nutrition
at council and sub-council levels need to be strengthened for abidance to the guidelines
provided by PO-RALG. Similarly, collection and management of nutrition data and
information at the council and sub-council levels need to be strengthened to be well
informing to the policy makers and for development planning. For improvement of nutrition
governance and accountability, the central government, Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre
(TFNC), local government authority and other nutrition stakeholders have to increase the
investment in nutrition.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Nutrition governance, Nutrition budget planning, Accountability-implementing nutrition services, Morogoro, Urban-Rural District Councils, Tanzania