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Public Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Clinical Trial Participation: A Mixed Method Study in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania
(International Glint Publications, 2026-01-30) Mghanga, Stanslaus; Mtenga, Alan; Pasape, Liliane; Olotu, Ally
Background: Clinical trials are important for advancing medical knowledge and improving
healthcare delivery. However, participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards clinical trials remain
a key challenge affecting clinical trial recruitment and participant retention. Therefore, this study
aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the Bagamoyo district towards participation in
clinical trials. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted among adults
in the Bagamoyo district. A multistage Stratified random sampling was used to select participants.
Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and using logistic regression, while qualitative data
were analysed thematically using NVivo.
Results: Among 394 recruited participants, 293 (74.4%) were female and 101 (25.6%) male. Most
participants had a primary level education (266, 67.5%), while 128 (32.5%) had secondary or
tertiary education. The majority were married (297, 75.4%), and 97 (24.6%) were either
separated or unmarried. Regarding economic status, 244 participants (61.9%) earned less than
Tsh. 50,000. General knowledge of clinical trials was low, with most participants scoring below
60%. However, we found a positive attitude towards participation in clinical trials. Logistic
regression revealed that poor knowledge was significantly associated with being male (AOR, 22.95
(95% CI: 10.27–51.28, p = 0.001)), age above 55 years (AOR of 2.43 (95% CI: 1.29–4.55, p =
0.006)) and unemployment (AOR of 2.39 (95% CI: 1.27–4.53, p = 0.007)). Positive attitudes
towards clinical trial participation were significantly associated with being female (AOR) 7.61 (95%
CI: 4.32–13.39, p < 0.001), age 44 years and below, (AOR: 2.22 (95% CI: 1.27–3.86, p = 0.005)
and employment (AOR of 1.89 (95% CI: 1.08–3.32, p = 0.03).
Conclusions: Despite low levels of knowledge, the general population in the Bagamoyo district
demonstrated a high willingness to participate in clinical trials. To address the knowledge gap,
targeted educational interventions should focus on older adults and the unemployed. Furthermore,
policies supporting community outreach and awareness campaigns may help strengthen public
understanding and sustain positive attitudes toward clinical research.
High Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in Human-Impacted Soil and Surface Runoff Negatively Affect Water Quality at Momella Lakes, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2026-02-28) Lihepanyama, Deogratias; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Marwa, Janeth; Treydte, Anna
Human land use in catchment areas has become a global concern due to its profound effects on water quality degradation. Associated eutrophication and algal bloom outbreaks in aquatic ecosystems pose an increasing threat to species that rely exclusively on water for foraging and breeding. In soda lakes, harmful algal blooms have caused fatal effects on lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor), which are obligatory filter feeders and vital bio-indicators. However, little is known about how human land use affects nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels in soil and surface runoff at a watershed scale, particularly in human-dominated areas bordering the eastern African soda lakes. We aimed to understand how these levels differ between protected and unprotected land and how they might affect lesser flamingo foraging sources. We analyzed 72 surface soil and 13 surface runoff samples for N and P concentrations along valleys that potentially drain water into the Momella lakes, northern Tanzania. We found a higher soil P concentration in unprotected than in protected land, and at both sites, soil N and P concentrations were negatively related to slope. Water P concentrations in surface runoff from the unprotected land exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommended threshold (<0.1 mg/L), suggesting that human land use might negatively impact water quality and, thus, the foraging resources of flamingos in the Momella lakes. We recommend optimizing nutrient management strategies in the watershed to reduce nutrient enrichment from human-dominated areas in these unique soda lakes in Tanzania.
Individual differences in technological readiness and the adoption of solar dryers: The case of horticultural smallholder farmers in Northern Tanzania
(Taylor & Fransic Online, 2026) Kimaro, Dismas; Kivevele, Thomas; Nyangarika, Anthony
Adoption of solar dryers among smallholder farmers in developing countries remains low, despite their proven potential to enhance food security. While prior studies emphasize techno-socio-economic barriers, they often overlook individual psychological traits that likely shape adoption behaviour, assuming uniform adoption patterns and limiting targeted interventions. This study addresses this gap by examining farmers’ technology readiness classes and assessing how psychological and sociodemographic factors influence solar dryer adoption. Using survey data from 447 horticultural smallholder farmers in northern Tanzania, the study was guided by the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) framework. Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to segment farmers into distinct readiness classes, while categorical structural equation modelling (SEM) assessed the association of TRI traits, sociodemographic factors, and adoption probability. The results identified four technological readiness classes, with 95.5% of farmers in low-TR groups: hesitators (35.8%), sceptics (30.6%), and laggards (29.1%). Among TRI constructs, optimism (β = 0.59) and innovativeness (β = 0.32), along with education (β = 0.13), significantly increased the likelihood of adoption from 50% to 64%, 58%, and 53%, respectively. Gender (β = −0.323) indicated that male farmers’ probability of adopting solar dryers drops to 42%. These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions that foster positive technology attitudes, enhance innovativeness, empower women, and support education-based capacity building. By integrating LCA with SEM, the study provides a novel, empirical demonstration of how psychological and sociodemographic factors jointly shape the likelihood of solar dryer adoption, offering actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to design context-specific strategies.
Effect of Stakeholder Engagement in Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation on the Performance of Catholic Parishes in Arusha
(African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2026-03-14) Musyimi, Raphael; Marwa, Janeth; Pasape, Liliane
Background: Stakeholder engagement is essential for the performance and sustainability of Catholic parishes, especially where parishes face issues such as inconsistent participation, weak accountability, and limited feedback mechanisms during the strategy monitoring and evaluation (M&E) phase.
Objective: This study examined the effect of stakeholder participation in M&E processes on parish performance, with a focus on spiritual, social, and developmental outcomes.
Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study surveyed 460 respondents from diverse stakeholder groups, including clergy, parish council members, apostolic association leaders, and lay faithful. Quantitative data were examined using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM), whilst qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured interviews.
Findings: The results showed a strong positive link between stakeholder engagement in M&E and enhanced parish performance, with a path coefficient of 0.712 between strategy monitoring and parish performance, indicating that stakeholder involvement significantly influences outcomes.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Parishes that actively involve stakeholders in strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation achieve higher levels of community outreach, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency. Catholic parishes in Arusha should institutionalize participatory M&E systems, ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly lay faithful, are involved in decision-making processes to foster greater accountability, responsiveness, and alignment with community needs.
AI-Powered Learning in the Global South: Lessons From ChatGPT Use in Tanzanian Universities
(IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2026) Mduma, Neema
This chapter explores how ChatGPT, a popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, is being used in Tanzanian universities to support teaching and learning. It presents findings from a study conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam, University of Dodoma and Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology. The chapter discusses how students and lecturers are using ChatGPT, the benefits they experience and the challenges they face such as poor internet access, lack of training and missing university policies. While the study focuses on higher education, the findings also inform K–12 education by showing how AI can serve as virtual tutors, support personalized learning and expose policy or infrastructure gaps in schools. The chapter offers recommendations, policy suggestions and areas for future research. It fills an important gap, since few studies examine AI use in Tanzanian higher education. The insights shared can help universities and policymakers make better decisions about using AI tools in a responsible way.