Introducing payment for performance in the health sector of Tanzania- the policy process
Background: Prompted by the need to achieve progress in health outcomes, payment for performance (P4P) schemes are becoming popular policy options in the health systems in many low income countries. This paper describes the policy process behind the introduction of a payment for performance scheme in the health sector of Tanzania illuminating in particular the […]
Factors contributing to household wealth inequality in under-five deaths in low- and middle-income countries: decomposition analysis
Background: The burden of under-5 deaths is disproportionately high among poor households relative to economically viable ones in developing countries. Despite this, the factors driving this inequality has not been well explored. This study decomposed the contributions of the factors associated with wealth inequalities in under-5 deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We […]
Where there is no toilet: Water and sanitation environments of domestic and facility births in Tanzania
Background: Inadequate water and sanitation during childbirth are likely to lead to poor maternal and newborn outcomes. This paper uses existing data sources to assess the water and sanitation (WATSAN) environment surrounding births in Tanzania in order to interrogate whether such estimates could be useful for guiding research, policy and monitoring initiatives.Methods: We used the […]
Development of a Fetal Weight Chart Using Serial Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound in an East African Population: A Longitudinal Observational Study
Objective: To produce a fetal weight chart representative of a Tanzanian population, and compare it to weight charts from Sub-Saharan Africa and the developed world. Methods: A longitudinal observational study in Northeastern Tanzania. Pregnant women were followed throughout pregnancy with serial trans-abdominal ultrasound. All pregnancies with pathology were excluded and a chart representing the optimal […]
Pay for performance: An analysis of the context of implementation in a pilot project in Tanzania
Background: Pay for performance schemes are increasingly being implemented in low income countries to improve health service coverage and quality. This paper describes the context within which a pay for performance programme was introduced in Tanzania and discusses the potential for pay for performance to address health system constraints to meeting targets. Method: 40 in-depth […]
Missed opportunities in antenatal care for improving the health of pregnant women and newborns in Geita district, Northwest Tanzania
Background: Despite the significant benefits of early detection and management of pregnancy related complications during antenatal care (ANC) visits, not all pregnant women in Tanzania initiate ANC in a timely manner. The primary objectives of this research study in rural communities of Geita district, Northwest Tanzania were: 1) to conduct a population-based study that examined […]
Drivers of under-five stunting trend in 14 low-and middle-income countries since the turn of the millennium: A multilevel pooled analysis of 50 demographic and health surveys
Background: Understanding the drivers contributing to the decreasing trend in stunting is paramount to meeting the World Health Assembly’s global target of 40% stunting reduction by 2025. Methods: We pooled data from 50 Demographic and Health Surveys since 2000 in 14 countries to examine the relationships between the stunting trend and potential factors at distal, […]
Exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin in children at risk for growth impairment in rural Tanzania
Growth impairment is a major public health issue for children in Tanzania. The question remains as to whether dietary mycotoxins play a role in compromising children’s growth. We examined children’s exposures to dietary aflatoxin and fumonisin and potential impacts on growth in 114 children under 36 months of age in Haydom, Tanzania. Plasma samples collected […]
Incidence of induced abortion and post-Abortion care in Tanzania
Background Tanzania has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, and unsafe abortion is one of its leading causes. Yet little is known about its incidence. Objectives To provide the first ever estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion in Tanzania, at the national level and for each of the 8 geopolitical […]
Reducing barriers to postabortion contraception: The role of expanding coverage of postabortion care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Background: In Tanzania, limited access to postabortion care (PAC) contributes to high rates of maternal mortality. To address the issue, Pathfinder International and the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC) introduced and expanded coverage of PAC in 64 public health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: During a 30-month […]
