Measures to reduce the infant mortality rate in Tanzania
Karungula, J.
International Journal of Nursing Studies 29(2): 113-117
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7489 PMID: 1612831 DOI: 10.1016/0020-7489(92)90002-xDocument Number: 321848
In 1967, the Tanganyika African National Union, now Tanzania, adopted socialism and self-reliance as its national policy. It emphasized rural health development. It decentralized health care planning which encouraged local people to participate. In 1971, the government resettled rural peoples into villages. This made it easier to provide services such as health dispensaries and a clean water supply. Mass mobilization activities ranged from building latrines to improving sanitation. They served to raise health awareness and to promote community participation. The government has consistently expanded rural health facilities and trained more local health workers. By 1984, 72% of the population lived within an hour's walking distance from an essential health care facility. The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Tanzania has various disease prevention programs designed to reduce infant mortality. The maternal and child health program provides services before, during, and after childbirth. Between 1978-84, the percentage of mothers who deliver at a health facility increased from 53% to 60%. The government encourages small-scale farmers to be self-sufficient which prevents child malnutrition. The MOH's nutrition program promotes breast-feeding mothers about an adequate and balanced diet. The control of communicable diseases program has an important role since the leading causes of infant death are communicable diseases. Other programs geared toward reducing infant mortality are the essential drug program and the health education program. MOH efforts have resulted in a reduction in infant mortality from 135 - 105. Nurses in Tanzania have the most potential to affect further reduction in infant mortality. They can do so by becoming more efficient in delivering primary health care. Tanzania could make greater strides in reducing infant mortality by improving economic growth.