‘We do not do any activity until there is an outbreak’

Barriers to disease prevention and health promotion at the community level in Kongwa District, Tanzania

Bibliographic Data

ID19530873
AuthorsTumaini Nyamhanga (0000-0001-9336-5583, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Gasto Frumence (0000-0003-4605-9457, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Mughwira Mwangu (0000-0003-2863-0955, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Anna-Karin Hurtig (0000-0001-7087-1467, Umeå University)
Year2014
Volume7
Issue1
Pages23878-23878
Publication date2014-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3402/gha.v7.23878
PMID25084832
OpenAlexW2000534628
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the barriers to disease prevention and health promotion at the community level--within a decentralized health system. OBJECTIVE: This paper, therefore, presents and discusses findings on barriers (and opportunities) for instituting disease prevention and health promotion activities. DESIGN: The study was conducted in Kongwa District, Tanzania, using an explorative case study approach. Data were collected through document reviews and in-depth interviews with key informants at district, ward, and village levels. A thematic approach was used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: This study has identified several barriers, namely decision-makers at the national and district levels lack the necessary political will in prioritizing prevention and health promotion; the gravity of prevention and health promotion stated in the national health policy is not reflected in the district health plans; gross underfunding of community-level disease prevention and health promotion activities; and limited community participation. CONCLUSION: In this era, when Tanzania is burdened with both communicable and non-communicable diseases, prevention and health promotion should be at the top of the health care agenda. Despite operating in a neoliberal climate, a stronger role of the state is called for. Accordingly, the government should prioritize higher health-protecting physical, social, and economic environments. This will require a national health promotion policy that will clearly chart out how multisectoral collaboration can be put into practice

Community health · Economic growth · Environmental health · Health care · Health promotion · Non-communicable disease · Political science · Public health · Qualitative research · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Tanzania · Thematic analysis · Community Health and Development · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine · Nursing · Health Policy