In pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, a critical target is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5, with specific targets of not exceeding 12 and 25 per 1,000 live births respectively. Unfortunately, Tanzania exhibits an alarmingly slow rate of reduction in these figures, with under-5 and infant mortality rates standing at 56.5 and 40.4 per 1,000 live births, respectively. In addition, over a decade, Tanzania witnessed a modest decline of about 3.8 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births suggesting that without intentional interventions and if the status quo is preserved, it may take over two decades for Tanzania to attain the SDG aimed at ensuring a reduction in neonatal mortality rates to no more than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births. Urgent actions are imperative to effect sustainable and expedited reductions in newborn, and child mortality, alongside enhanced accessibility to high-quality maternal and newborn health services.
FWPPS collaborates closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to enhance access and stimulate demand for maternal and newborn health services, with special emphasis on remote and underserved regions. Our priority areas encompass preventing the first delay by addressing factors hindering timely and appropriate utilization of health services during pregnancy and childbirth, strengthening healthcare system and infrastructures in primary health facilities, building capacity for healthcare providers on emergency obstetric and neonatal care and community empowerment.
Sexual and reproductive health status of adolescents in Tanzania remains an area of concern for the country. Low levels of knowledge on SRH and STI/HIV, limited access to quality and adolescent friendly services, high prevalence of child marriage, high adolescent birth rate which stands at 94 per 1,000, with 21% of adolescent girls already engaging in childbearing, of which 30% of pregnancies are unplanned or mistimed. These are challenges which perpetuate poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes of adolescents. Additionally, 57% of young girls report having had sex by age 18, this underscores an urgent need of enhancing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive education to adolescents.
Moreover, unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions in adolescents have posed significant serious threats to the health and well-being of families due to their association with adverse health, social and economic outcomes. Mothers’ age at birth is associated with maternal and childhood mortality hence, children born to mothers under 20 years have a high risk of dying.
FWPPS organization in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is implementing adolescent friendly and evidence-backed programs to improve and safeguard the health and wellbeing of adolescent girls in Tanzania.
In Tanzania, many women have more children than they want because of limited access to their preferred method of contraception, resulting in unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR), among currently married women aged 15-49 is 32%. There is a notable difference in contraceptive use across regions with highest rate of 52% in Lindi (Southern Tanzania). The unmet need for family planning for currently married women aged 15-49 -those women who want to space or limit births but are not currently using contraception is 22%. Studies have shown that, if the unmet need for modern contraception is met, there will be approximately a three-quarters decline in unintended pregnancies and a significant reduction in induced abortions.
Additionally, research indicates that allocating resources to family planning yields favorable economic outcomes and is considered a cost-effective investment in development. Evaluations have revealed that addressing the contraceptive requirements of all women in developing nations generates significant returns; for each dollar invested in contraceptives, four dollars are saved.
In view of these facts, FWPPS prioritizes family planning initiatives by expanding access to modern contraceptives, conducting educational campaigns, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure. Advocating for supportive policies and engaging communities are crucial steps to overcome barriers and foster acceptance. These measures can help Tanzania achieve its 2050 development goals while improving the health and welfare of its population.
In Tanzania, violence often concealed and exacerbated by detrimental social norms, gender disparities, and poverty which poses significant threats to individuals and national well-being. The World Bank (WB) report of 2022 shows that 40% of all women aged 15-49 years have experienced physical violence, while 17% have experienced sexual violence and 44% have experienced either physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in Tanzania. In addition, the prevalence of spousal violence is highest in rural areas, averaging 52%, while in urban areas, it averages 45%. Almost 30% of girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18.
Although there has been increasing attention from authorities to the issue of GBV in the country, evidenced by the recent adoption of National Plans of Action (NPAs) to end violences against women and children, recent WB report reveals that these efforts are lagging due to a lack of core oversight, weak institutional capacities, and limited infrastructure. The report calls for expedited action to protect the human capital of the nation.
To address the issue, FWPPS implements comprehensive interventions that focus on conducting educational campaigns to raise awareness, advocating for gender rights and support services for survivors, empowerment programs for women and girls, engagement with community leaders and cross-sectoral collaboration. These interventions aim to tackle the root causes of violence, provide support for survivors, empower individuals, and foster a culture of respect and creating a safer and more equitable society for all citizens.
Tanzania faces a dual burden of both communicable (such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Pneumonia and Tuberculosis) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Malaria remains a major health concern, with an estimated 8 million cases and 25,787 deaths reported in 2021. Despite making progress in 2015-17, Tanzania is currently off-track to meet the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria targets due to a gradual increase in incidence rates since 2018.
NCDs are a public health threats in Tanzania, accounting for 34% of all deaths in 2019. The age-standardized mortality rate across four major NCDs (Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Respiratory Disease, Cancer and Diabetes) was 557 per 100,000 in males and 498 in females in 2021. The country has demonstrated commendable progress in implementing measures aligned with key NCD indicators, notably through the adoption of tobacco taxation, the formulation of NCD-specific policies, and the development of clinical guidelines. Nonetheless, advancements remain limited in several critical areas of NCD prevention and control. These include the implementation of effective alcohol taxation and restrictions on alcohol advertising, the establishment of comprehensive policies regulating salt and trans-fat intake, and the development and dissemination of national guidelines to promote physical activity.
To address the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, FWPPS prioritizes a comprehensive strategy encompassing tailored interventions for each disease nature. For communicable diseases, it promotes preventive health measures that aim at reducing disease incidence such as sanitation and hygiene, vaccination and control initiatives and disease surveillance systems to monitor trends.
In addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), strategic emphasis is placed on comprehensive health education campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness of NCD risk factors and promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Policy and regulatory interventions—particularly those targeting the reduction of tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Equally important is the fostering of multisectoral collaboration between the health sector and other relevant stakeholders, which is essential for addressing the broader social determinants of health and implementing integrated, cross-sectoral strategies for NCD prevention and control. Furthermore, the FWPPS places significant priority on secondary preventive measures, including robust screening and surveillance services, to facilitate the early detection and effective management of NCDs.
Promoting health research in low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania is essential to achieving universal access to safe and high-quality healthcare. It enables the application of relevant and up-to-date findings to strengthen healthcare delivery systems. Research evidence is a critical component of evidence-based medicine which emphasizes the use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.
FWPPS believes data-driven decision-making is vital for effective health interventions. We engage in operational and community-based research in collaboration with institutions and policymakers.
FWPPS is dedicated to generating novel evidences through research and advocate their integration into informing practices, policies, programs, and decision-making processes. We also build local research capacity through mentorship and inclusive research practices that involve communities and uphold ethics and equity.