The effects of provision of selected services on most vulnerable children in Tanzania: a case of Mtwara district

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Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

Despite significant strides made in Tanzania’s National Policy arena by developing national guidelines for community-based care, support and protection for most vulnerable children (MVC), there is little empirical evidence on what works to improve the MVC and their families. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the effects of provision of selected services on MVC in Mtwara District of the Mtwara Region, Tanzania. Specific objectives were to: identify MVC programmes in the study area; identify the effects of stakeholders participation in provision of selected services on MVC and determine potential for provision of selected services to MVC. Data were collected from 150 respondents, including 120 household heads from four villages in Mtwara District and 30 key informants using questionnaires. researcher’s diary and checklist. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme and qualitative data were analysed using “content analysis” technique. The study identified MVC programmes in the study area, the effects of stakeholders participation in provision of selected services to MVC and determined the potential for provision of selected sendees to MVC. It was concluded that improving social well being of MVC requires continued analysis of services provided to adopt new quality standards which require long-term commitment on part of all stakeholders. It is therefore recommended that there is a need for programme managers to develop and scale-up effective strategies based on national policies aimed at helping MVC in the study area and beyond. The study also suggested undertaking case studies on effects of provision of MVC services in other parts of the country in order to enable generalisation of the observations.

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MASTERS DISSERTATION

Keywords

children, families., household, villages, Mtwara District

Citation