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Framing reproductive narratives
(2026) Taqwim, SF; Xu, W; Kang, YH; Aweesha, H; Rashmi, R; Amani, PJ, et al.
Childlessness is an increasingly visible phenomenon. Once predominantly associ
ated with high-income settings, it now spans diverse cultural, economic, and political
contexts, including the Global South. Among recent demographic shifts, childless
ness has emerged as one of the most ideologically charged and widely debated
topics in public discourse, particularly through media narratives. Although media
are often overlooked in mainstream public health models, they play critical roles as
structural and intermediary determinants of health - shaping issue framing, amplifying
voices, and legitimizing solutions. Yet little is known about how childlessness is repre
sented in global media, especially outside the Global North and in the post- pandemic
era. This study analysed news media representations of childlessness from a public
health perspective, drawing on 131 news articles from 101 outlets across 86 coun
tries (2015–2025). Articles were identified through systematic keyword searches in
English and 12 additional languages, screened for relevance, and analysed the
matically using Braun and Clarke’s inductive method. Our approach was discourse-
sensitive, drawing on a social constructionist lens and informed by framing theories
and reproductive justice. Five themes were identified: The guinea pig of the state;
Crazy rich selfish animal lovers; No baby, no cry; Bringing children into a broken
world; and Winter regret and loneliness. These narratives operate across structural,
intermediary, and individual levels, fulfilling four discursive functions: politicising,
moralising, pathologising, and humanising. By examining how childlessness is prob
lematized or legitimized, this study highlights the media’s role in shaping reproductive
narratives, stigma, and health equity across diverse contexts
Accessibility of formal adult education in rural areas: A case of Mvomero District in Tanzania
(Mzumbe University, 2016) Timu, Ilankunda
This study assessed the accessibility of formal adult education in rural areas specifically in Mvomero district. The study aim was based on assessing availability of adult education centers and learners, adequacy of adult facilitators, availability of learning materials and learning infrastructure and looking at how government officials enhance of the accessibility of adult education in the district. The study used structured interviews and focus group discussion during data collection. The purposive sampling selected 23 respondents where 5 respondents were selected from government officials in the department of education in the district, 4 adult education facilitators from four wards and 14 adult learners. Content analysis was used in analyzing the collected data and findings were presented through text and narration. The findings reveal that, the district provides an adult education program in a few centers where there is a long distance from one center to another, and actual number of enrolments stand by 1071 adult learners currently. The program lack adequate facilitators where there are only 8 facilitators running the programmed and 6 out of them are volunteering in different centers. Also, the study found of lack learning materials and learning infrastructure where in all centers visited by the researcher lack books, curriculum and in some centers, there are neither classrooms nor desks for adult learners. Government officials in the district try to ensure the accessibility by finding solutions to the challenges facing the program, like establishing centers in areas where there is no centers and using primary school teachers as facilitators in areas where there is no facilitators. There are the needs of the government to put more emphasis on the program. The policy requires all education and training institutions in the country to designate adult centers, but few institutions implement that, the government must ensure also in the policy stipulate on how different learning institutions must coordinate the implementation of the program and there is the need to engage other stakeholders like private and civil society organization in the implementation of the program. Education can bring changes and development without investing in education especially, in adult education it will be difficult for the government to realize its development plans.
Factors and challenges associated with loss of follow up visits among HIV/AIDS clients attending antiretroviral therapy in Ilala municipal council
(Mzumbe University, 2015) Salema, Judith
Background: The loss of follow up visits among HIV positive adults on antiretroviral therapy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Tanzania. The loss of follow up visits brings a big challenge in Care and Treatment Centre (CTC) as many HIV clients are not attending clinics as scheduled.
Broad Objective: To assess the factors and challenges associated with the loss of follow up visits among HIV positive adults attending CTC in Ilala Municipal Council.
Methods: Cross sectional study design was conducted in Ilala Municipal Council involving HIV positive adults and health providers whereby data were extracted from CTC database and clients’ files. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires and were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed by using Stata version 13. Analysis for predictors was done using univariate and multivariate logistic regression where p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: 240 people were recruited in the study. 190 were patients, 50 were health workers, and most of the patients were females with the age ranging from 18-35 years amounting to 102 (54%). Lack of fare 72(60%), Stigma, shift from one clinic to another and use of traditional medicine found to be the factors contributing to the loss of follow up visits. However, lack of space (92%), shortage of health providers (94%), stigma and discrimination (90%), low motivation (94%) and work load (94%) were the challenges facing health providers during provision of services to HIV patients.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study found that the recording system of the patients’ information were poor, there were some clients who died, others were shifted to other clinics but the CTC term them as the loss of follow up visits therefore the data recording system should be strengthened.
Barriers encountered by people with substance use disorder in accessing medication assisted treatment in Dodoma Municipality : A case of Itega Mat Clinic-Dodoma
(Institute of Social Work (ISW), 2025) Mligo, Venant Christopher
The aim of this study was to explore the barriers encountered by people with substance use disorders (SUD) in accessing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services in Dodoma Municipality by assessing their awareness, examining perceptions influencing treatment-seeking behaviour, and identifying systemic obstacles associated with treatment delivery procedures. Methodologically, the study adopted an interpretivist philosophy and employed a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design. The study was conducted in Dodoma Municipality and targeted individuals with SUD and healthcare providers involved in MAT service delivery. Purposive sampling was used to select eighteen participants (18). This included fifteen (15) people with SUD and three (03) healthcare providers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, while secondary data were drawn from clinic reports, MAT guidelines, and clinical procedure documents. Thematic analysis guided the interpretation of data. The key findings revealed that MAT awareness was generally low and mostly acquired through peers rather than formal education. Misconceptions were widespread, including the belief that methadone substitutes one addiction for another. Procedural barriers such as lengthy registration processes, strict eligibility criteria, and limited-service points discouraged treatment initiation and contributed to high dropout rates, while stigma and mistrust of formal healthcare services further reduced MAT uptake. In conclusion, access to MAT is hindered by informational, attitudinal, and systemic challenges. The study recommends expanding MAT clinics to underserved areas, strengthening community sensitization, simplifying enrolment procedures, and enhancing government-NGO partnerships to improve MAT uptake, retention, and long-term recovery outcomes.
How brand preference contribute to the growth of the firm’s in sales volume: A survey case study of coca – cola kwanza ltd
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Kinigwa, G.M.
This study explores different factors on how brand preference contributes to the growth of the firms in sales volume of the soft drinks industry in Tanzania. Coca – Cola kwanza Ltd was the case study area for this study with unit of analysis being Coca–Cola Kwanza Bottlers Limited (CCK) Brand managers, Distributors, Advertisers, and Consumers. As it is believed that, brand preference is a contributing factor of the growth of the firm’s sales volume; the study tried to find out the factors that influence a consumer to opt for one product rather than another product of similar value. The study then, seeks to understand this scenario by asking different questions; first was to understand the meaning, context and extent of the term brand, its parameters and implication to sales volume. Further; how effective brands get a customer to buy a specific product. Understanding possible causes of brand preference of Coca – Cola products through different techniques of data collection were applied ranging from primary to secondary data. For primary data; observation was applied mainly premises observation whereas; 100 outlets were put under scrutiny by comprehensive observation. It further included interview and questionnaires which included Distributors, Coca Cola Kwanza Brand managers, Advertisers and Consumers. Different documents were reviewed for this purpose cutting across from budget to spending. The study adopted a descriptive research design to identify how brand preference contribute to the firm’s sales volume and a sample size of 60, total composed by 15 Advertising agents of Coca Cola Kwanza Ltd, 15 Brand managers of the company, 15 Consumers of the Company’s products, 15 Distributors of the Company’s products, using a simple random sampling since the population for the purpose of this study was regarded as homogeneous. The study collected both primary and secondary data using semi-structured questionnaire and review of empirical and theoretical literatures respectively. These instruments were pilot tested for reliability checks.