Rural Planning Journal

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Basic Immunisation Coverage in Tanzania: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Steven Mwaseba — 2025-02-01

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to healthcare systems globally, including Tanzania, disrupting essential health services, including child basic immunisation programmes. Using an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, we analysed how the pandemic influenced child fundamental immunisation trends across three key tears: 2020 (partial lockdown), 2021 (introduction of COVID-19 vaccination programmes), and 2022 (post- pandemic recovery phase). The results reveal a slight decline in immunisation coverage in 2020, with no significant impacts when this year is used as an intervention point. However, a sharp decline in 2021 indicates a more substantial disruption in immunisation services, coinciding with the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. When 2021 is considered the intervention year, the study finds significant immediate and prolonged impacts, suggesting that the combination of pandemic fatigue, the reallocation of health resources, and public fear may have exacerbated the decline in immunisation rates. By 2022, immunisation coverage showed signs of recovery. These findings highlight the complex and evolving nature of the pandemic’s impact on child immunisation services. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to restore and maintain essential health services, particularly in global health emergencies. Recommendations include improving healthcare resource allocation during crises, strengthening public health messaging, and expanding community outreach to mitigate long-term service disruptions.

Assessment of Patient Satisfaction with Access to Healthcare Services at Mbozi District Hospital, in Songwe Region, Tanzania

Luhuvilo Lupondo — 2025-02-01

This study assessed patient’s satisfaction on access to health services in public health facilities particularly at Mbozi District Hospital, using a convenience sample of 112 patients. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentary reviews. The study had two specific objectives: the first was to determine the level of customer satisfaction in accessing health services, and the second was to examine factors for patient satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were used to show the demographic characteristics of respondents and frequencies and percentages were obtained. The Likert scale was used to measure the level of patient satisfaction based on their opinions while a Multiple Linear Regression model was used to examine the determinant factors for patient satisfaction. The results revealed that the level of satisfaction was inadequate where availability of experts in the hospital, such as medical doctors and specialized doctors; staff attitude (traits towards the patient); availability of medicine, and improved sanitation infrastructure (clean washrooms) were the significant determinant factors. Therefore, more efforts should be made to improve patient satisfaction by providing better health services. The local government authorities should continuously sensitize health workers to be available at their working stations. Furthermore, the hospital Management should ensure that sanitation infrastructures, especially washrooms, are constantly cleaned and should also make follow ups to ensure medicines are always available.

Community Perceptions on Single Parenting: Insights from Dodoma City, Tanzania

Emmanuel Kikwale — 2025-02-01

Single parenting has recently become common worldwide, transcending cultural, social, and economic boundaries. The study was conducted in Dodoma city at the Chang’ombe ward to explore the community’s perceptions of single parenting. The study examined the community’s attitude and practice of single parenting. The study's sample size was 155 respondents, obtained using a systematic sampling technique. Also, purposive sampling was used to select the ward executive officer, social welfare officer, and children protection committee members as key informants. A survey method through a questionnaire was used to collect data from community members, and interviews using a checklist were used to collect data from the key informants. The quantitative data were analysed using the IBM-SPSS Statistics version 27 computer programme in which descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentage) were computed, and content analysis was used for qualitative data. The study found a positive attitude among most respondents, indicated by the mean score ranging from 3.7 to 4.5. The study also revealed that a parent raising a child alone is overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities. In addition, a child raised by a single parent misses the care and love of the other parent, may experience abuse, poor academic performance, get involved in lousy peer groups, moral decay, loneliness, sadness, and lack confidence and self-reliance. Moreover, the study found that the majority of the respondents experienced single parenting, which resulted from searching for employment opportunities, the death of a partner, separation, birth out of wedlock, divorce, and choice. The study recommends that local government, through social welfare officers and the police gender desk in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, should continue providing education on the negative effects of single parenting to children.

Decomposing Rural-Urban Variations in Maternal Healthcare Utilisation Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania. Evidence from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic Health Survey

Nelson Ndifwa — 2025-02-01

This study analysed the factors influencing the utilisation of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age in Tanzania, using data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). A Fairlie decomposition technique was employed to decompose differences in maternal healthcare service utilisation between rural and urban areas in Tanzania. The findings revealed that rural women, on average, have a lower probability of utilising maternal healthcare services compared to urban women. The decomposition analysis showed that the rural-urban gap in maternal healthcare utilisation is primarily explained by differences in household wealth index (37.2%), women’s education level (18.1%), distance to health facilities (12.6%), exposure to media (8.7%), insurance coverage (3.9%), and occupational status (4.1%). The study recommends targeted interventions to improve maternal healthcare utilisation, including empowering women through enhanced access to resources and opportunities. Key strategies include promoting girls’ education beyond primary school through scholarships or vocational training to improve socio-economic outcomes. Moreover, leveraging mass media to raise awareness, streamlining insurance enrolment, and reducing out-of-pocket maternity care expenses are emphasized. The study suggests reliable transportation, expanded telehealth services, and the establishment of satellite clinics in underserved areas to enhance access.

Determinants of Market Outlet Choices for Irish Potato Production among Smallholder Farmers in Mbeya District, Tanzania

George Kihamba — 2025-02-01

The study examined the determinants of market outlet choices among smallholder Irish potato growers in Mbeya District. A two-stage random sampling method was used to select 288 smallholder farmers for primary data collection. The data were analysed using Stata version 15, and the multivariate probit model was applied to assess the factors influencing market outlet selection. The findings showed that the probability of Irish potato farmers choosing blocker, wholesaler, local, and retailer outlets was 32.1%, 31.6%, 28.5%, and 22.3%, respectively. This indicates that blockers were the most commonly chosen outlets, while retailers were the least preferred. The joint probability of farmers opting for all four market outlets was 0.6%, lower than the likelihood of not selecting all four outlets (16.7%). The multivariate probit model results revealed that several factors, including the age of the household head, education level, farm size, distance to the nearest market, availability of market information, access to extension services, and access to credit, had significant effects on farmers' market outlet choice behaviour. Based on these findings, the study recommended improving the current production systems, encouraging farmers to adopt intensive cultivation methods, and ensuring better prices for farmers as important strategies for making informed market outlet decisions. Furthermore, the study emphasised the need for policy measures that strengthen infrastructure development, such as creating market centres closer to farmers' locations and promoting farmers' groups to facilitate better market access.

Factors Associated with Participation in Household Decision-Making Processes among Married Women in Tanzania

Edmund Zakayo — 2025-02-01

The participation of married women in decision-making in all spheres of household development, including health care, purchases, and visiting their relatives, is important for households, communities, and the nation at large. Designing successful and suitable interventions requires understanding the factors associated with making three major household decisions on their health care, major household purchases, and visits to family or relatives among married women between 15-49 years. The study aimed to determine social-demographic and economic factors associated with decision-making roles among married women in Tanzania. The data for this study were obtained from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (2022 TDHS-MIS) by visiting https://www.dhsprogramme.com. Data were analysed using STATA Version 16, whereby a multinomial regression model was chosen as the statistical approach. The study showed that age, education level of married women and their husbands, women’s residence, wealth index, watching television, listening to the radio, working status, and number of household members were identified as the factors affecting women’s decision- making in households regarding health care, significant purchases, and visiting their family and relatives. The study concludes that the married women’s decision-making on health care, major household purchases, and visiting their family or relatives in Tanzania was 52%, which is low compared to sustainable development goal 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, and the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees extensive rights to African women and girls, including social equality with men. Therefore, through the Ministry responsible for women, the government should address social norms and cultural practices that limit women’s decision-making power through community engagement and education provision. Also, mechanisms should be established to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programmes to enhance women’s decision-making power.

Factors for Community Participation in Surface Irrigation Scheme: Experience from Ndanda Irrigation Scheme in Masasi District, Tanzania

Vitalis Msamba — 2025-02-01

Tanzania has a total of 44 million hectares suitable for agriculture. However, only 10.8 million hectares are used for cultivation producing diverse crops. Besides, the country has an irrigation potential of 29.4 million hectares, of which by 2023, only 727,280.6 hectares were under irrigation agriculture, equivalent to 2.5%. In promoting community participation in irrigation agriculture through the surface irrigation scheme to increase the production of crops, the Masasi District Council initiated the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme using the participatory planning methodology of Opportunities and Obstacles to Development (O&OD). Through the O&OD process, the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme was prioritised and established in 2006 as a response to the declining productivity of rain- fed agriculture in the ward. The scheme occupies a total area of 350 hectares and is expected to benefit 23,147 people. However, only 104 hectares are under cultivation through surface irrigation due to a low level of community participation. Therefore, this paper assesses factors influencing community participation in the surface irrigation scheme in Masasi District, taking the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme as a case. A sample of 154 participants was used. The study used a cross-sectional research design that blended qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyse participation influencing factors. The qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The findings from the study indicated that community participation in the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme was significantly associated with the perception of smallholder farmers on the scheme and prevailing economic and institutional factors.

Factors Influencing Adoption of Fintech among Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Kamugisha Rwechungura — 2025-02-01

The adoption of financial technology (Fintech) has grown globally due to the demand for easily accessible, reasonably priced, and convenient financial services, along with the rapid improvements in digital technology. Even though fintech adoption is rising globally, most African financial institutions, particularly in microfinance, have not adopted it. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the adoption of Fintech in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, and the research approach was quantitative. The study employed primary data collected using structured questionnaires distributed to 138 SACCOs officials. The study had seven independent variables: knowledge, cost, accessibility, technology rating, staff readiness, and technology trust. On the other hand, the study had one dependent variable: fintech adoption. The model of analysis employed is multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that knowledge, cost, accessibility, and technology ratings were positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) influencing fintech adoption. This study recommends that the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission encourage SACCOs to use fintech more widely by addressing these factors, which would ultimately help Tanzania’s financial ecosystem become more technologically advanced and inclusive.

Strategies Employed by Single Fathers in Preventing Violence against Children. A Case of Nzuguni Ward in Dodoma City

Fausta Senga — 2025-02-01

Violence against children has recently become detrimental. The study was conducted in Dodoma city at Nzuguni ward to examine strategies employed by single fathers in preventing violence against children, whereby a cross-sectional design was employed. A non-probability sampling procedure through the snowball technique was used to select single fathers, and a purposive sampling technique was used to obtain key informants, including a ward police officer, community development officer, social welfare officer, and ward executive officer. Data were collected using surveys, focus group discussions and interview methods, using questionnaires and checklists as tools. The study collected data from 65 respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data, where frequencies and percentages were computed, and qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The findings indicate that the majority of single fathers employ living with relatives and sending children to boarding schools as strategies to prevent violence against children. Other strategies include limiting interactions with others, talking openly and friendly with children, staying alone with children, and using caregivers and neighbours. The study concludes that strategies used have succeeded in preventing their children from violence in their households but have not ensured preventive measures outside their home place. Therefore, the study recommends collaborative efforts of different stakeholders in preventing and responding to violence against children. Furthermore, awareness of parents and guardians talking openly with children should continue being raised as it seems less employed.

The Impact of Exports and Imports on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Dynamics

Amour Mpojota — 2025-02-01

The study shows how international trade contributes to the gross domestic product dynamic in Tanzania. It employs the Autoregressive Distributive Lag Error Correction model to capture the dynamic relationship between long-term and short-term cointegration. The study used annual data ranging from 1991 to 2022 for time series model analysis. The results of the analysis show that the variables used have long-term equilibrium associations with GDP. After differencing once and considering three periods back goods and services exported revealed a significant and positive sign connection with GDP in the short term. Furthermore, imports show a significant and positive relationship with GDP in the short term. The paper also recommends that more investment should be made in production areas to promote exports; this enables maintainable and inclusive growth.

Violence Against Women in Lake Victoria Zone: A Case of Tarime District, Tanzania

Maro Kisaka — 2025-02-01

Violence against women is a global challenge affecting the survivors of violence, their families, and the country at large. While the prevention of violence against women is inevitable for the wellbeing of a nation, yet its preventive measures are vested in the hands of entities with limited capacity to handle it. This study was conducted in Tarime, a district located in the Lake Victoria Zone, to investigate violence against women. Specifically, the study examined the women’s experience of violence, the determinants of violence against women, and analysed the current preventive mechanism. A random sample of 97 households was used. All women aged 15 years and above were interviewed from these households, making a total of 149 interviewees. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and binary regression techniques. Findings revealed that nearly all women had experienced at least some form of violence in their lifetime, and a substantial proportion of women experienced violence in the past 12 months before the period of this survey. The less targeted, less extreme, and violent acts which lacked substantial public discourse were mostly reported to have been experienced by most women. Violence was more severe among women aged between 20-34; an increase in age by one year, as well as being a child to the household head, decreased the likelihood of respondents reporting to have experienced violent acts. Protection committees were not created as proposed by NPA- VAWC.2 Based on the findings, this study recommends increasing programmes of awareness creation for community transformation, establishing protection entities as per NPA-VAWC guidelines, designing and using strategies and action plans to guide implementation, enhancing the capacity of local leaders to handle violence cases, and establishing a harmonised system for capturing currently unreported incidences of violence cases.