Health and Survival of Young Children in Southern Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Armstrong Schellenberg, Joanna RM Schellenberg, Mrisho Mwifadhi, Manzi Fatuma, Shirima Kizito, Mbuya Conrad, Mushi Adiel K, Ketende Sosthenes Charles, Alonso Pedro L, Mshinda Hassan, Tanner Marcel, Schellenberg David
Primary Institution: Ifakara Health Research & Development Centre
Hypothesis
What are the health and survival outcomes for young children in southern Tanzania?
Conclusion
High antenatal and vaccine coverage indicates that peripheral health facilities can significantly improve health and survival for households in rural Tanzania.
Supporting Evidence
- Infant mortality was 40% higher for teenage mothers than older women.
- Vaccine coverage was high, with 81% of children receiving DPT-HepB3.
- Neonatal and infant mortality rates were 43.2 and 76.4 per 1000 live births, respectively.
- Households living over 5 km from health facilities had higher infant mortality rates.
Takeaway
This study shows that many children in southern Tanzania are getting the healthcare they need, but there are still big gaps, especially for the poorest families.
Methodology
The study used a cluster sample survey of 21,600 households and a health facility survey to assess child health and survival.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the cross-sectional design.
Limitations
The study may not fully capture the reasons behind disparities in health outcomes due to its observational nature.
Participant Demographics
The study included households from five districts in southern Tanzania, with a focus on children under two years old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.1 – 1.7
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website