Department of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

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Browsing Department of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences by Subject "Accountability-implementing nutrition services"

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    Nutrition governance and accountability in implementing nutrition services in Morogoro Urban And Rural District Councils, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2023-04) Kawishe Ester C.
    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.