Research Articles

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A model for predicting food security status among households in developing countries
(International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2013) Mbukwa, Justine N.
Food security prediction has been challenging aspects in developing countries particularly in African countries such as Tanzania. Consequently, government lack proper stimulated information that is necessary in making decision on efforts required for stabilizing food situation and status in their countries. Scientifically it has been observed in research and practical that this is caused by lack of proper mechanisms, tools and approach suitable for modeling and predicting food status among households. This paper proposes a logistic regression based model for analysis and prediction of food security status. The proposed model is empirically test using practical data collected from one district in Tanzania.
Aretrospective evaluation of the intellectual structure of private agricultural and food standards research in global trade
(International Trade, Politics and Development, 2023) Lwesya, Francis; Mbukwa, Justine N.
Purpose The aim of this article was to present a retrospective assessment of the intellectual structure of private agricultural and food standards research in global trade. This study was motivated by the increasing role of standards and certifications in governing global agricultural and food trade. Design/methodology/approach The current investigation was carried out with bibliometric methods using VOSviewer software. Techniques such as citation, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, keyword evolution and co-authorship analyses were performed to tackle the research questions. Articles were extracted from Scopus database for the period 1998–2022 (30th August 2022) with selected keywords (“Private food standard*” OR “food standard*” OR “agri-food standard*” AND “agri*” OR “agro*” OR “farm*” OR “food*” AND “international trade” OR “global trade” OR “international business”) along certain filters (subject – Economics and Business management: language – English: Document – article and review articles and source – journals). Findings The results show that the intellectual structure of private agricultural and food standards research in global trade has evolved around five clusters, namely: (1) the political economy of food standards, (2) food standards and their challenges in global trade, (3) food standards and integration into value chains, (4) food standards and market access and (5) food standards and exports from developing countries. However, the authors found the research gaps in each of the thematic clusters. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study is that the authors focused their attention on certain aspects of bibliometric review, such as the intellectual structure of the field, the citation analysis and the collaboration network. Future research could attempt to explore new field development through bibliographic coupling and deepening of conceptual structure using content analysis by incorporating the research methods used in the respective studies. Practical implications The emerging research areas in private agricultural and food standards in global trade are related to topics on food quality, sustainable development, genetically modified organisms, World Trade Organization, tariff structure, trade agreements, food industry and European Union. However, there is less research and little collaboration between Africa and developed countries. For example, Africa's total publications were (15), while the US had (46), China (15), Belgium (23), Germany (27), Italy (32) and the UK (24). Originality/value There are limited studies that have conducted a retrospective evaluation of the intellectual structure of private agricultural and food standards research in the global trade using bibliometric analysis. The present investigation is novel in identifying the thematic research clusters, emerging issues and future research directions. This is more important to developing countries as their agricultural produce face challenges to access markets of the developed world.
Bayesian multilevel modelling of the association between socio-economic status and stunting among under-five-year children in Tanzania
(Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 2023) Musheiguza, Edwin; Mbegalo, Tukae; Mbukwa, Justine N.
Background: Stunting is associated with socioeconomic status (SES) which is multidimensional. This study aimed to compare different SES indices in predicting stunting. Methods: This was the secondary data analysis using Tanzania Demographics and Health Surveys (TDHS). The study used 7492, 6668, and 8790 under-five-year children from TDHS 2004/5, 2010, and 2015/16, respectively. The Household Wealth Index (HWI); Water and Sanitation, Assets, Maternal education and Income (WAMI); Wealth Assets, Education, and Occupation (WEO); and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) indices were compared. The summated scores, principal component analysis (PCA), and random forest (RF) approaches were used to construct indices. The Bayesian and maximum likelihood multilevel generalized linear mixed models (MGLMM) were constructed to determine the association between each SES index and stunting. Results: The study revealed that 42.3%, 38.4%, and 32.4% of the studied under-five-year children were stunted in 2004/5, 2010, and 2015/16, respectively. Compared to other indicators of SES, the MPI had a better prediction of stunting for the TDHS 2004/5 and 2015/16, while the WAMI had a better prediction in 2010. For each score increase in WAMI, the odds of stunting were 64% [BPOR = 0.36; 95% CCI 0.3, 0.4] lower in 2010, while for each score increase in MPI there was 1 [BPOR = 1.1; 95% CCI 1.1, 1.2] times higher odds of stunting in 2015/16. Conclusion: The MPI and WAMI under PCA were the best measures of SES that predict stunting. Because MPI was the best predictor of stunting for two surveys (TDHS 2004/5 and 2015/16), studies dealing with stunting should use MPI as a proxy measure of SES. Use of BE-MGLMM in modelling stunting is encouraged. Strengthened availability of items forming MPI is inevitable for child growth potentials. Further studies should investigate the determinants of stunting using Bayesian spatial models to take into account spatial heterogeneity.
Climate change, food security, and diarrhoea prevalence nexus in Tanzania
(humanities and social sciences communications, 2024) Kitole, Felician A.; Mbukwa, Justine N.; Tibamanya, Felister Y.; Sesabo, Jennifer K.
The impact of climate change on food security and public health has hindered poverty reduction efforts in developing nations, including Tanzania, resulting in the impoverishment of millions and compromising both health and food production. To unravel these complex interactions, rigorous scientific research is indispensable. Leveraging three waves of the Agriculture Sample Census (2002/03, 2007/08, 2019/20), this study meticulously examines the interplay between climate change, food security, and diarrhoea prevalence in Tanzania. Employing Instrumental Variable Probit and Control Function Approach models to address endogeneity and heterogeneity, temperature anomalies serve as instrumental variables. The findings reveal a substantial impact of climate change on both food security (−0.331142, p < 0.01) and diarrhoea incidence (0.214602, p < 0.01). These results signify that climate change places significant stress on food security, rendering households more susceptible to insecurities, and heightens health concerns through increased diarrhoea prevalence. This underscores the urgency of prioritizing public health and well-being through an agricultural lens in climate change mitigation. A comprehensive strategy is imperative, entailing a synergy of sustainable agricultural practices, robust public health interventions, and targeted policies to fortify the adaptive capacity of communities. Special emphasis should be placed on cultivating climate-resilient agricultural systems, ensuring food security, and implementing health programs tailored to address the unique challenges posed by climate-induced factors. Moreover, community engagement and awareness initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering a collective understanding and commitment to sustainable practices, contributing to the overall resilience of societies amidst the challenges of climate change.
Effect of Statistics on Collaboration for Enhancing Institutional Sustainability: A Case of Mzumbe University-Tanzania
(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024) Mbukwa, Justine N.; Mbegalo, Tukae; Lwaho, Joseph
The article discusses the effects of statistics on collaboration and its potential in spearheading sustainable industrial development. In this regard, three days’ workshop were conducted by Mzumbe University Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Analysis (MULISA) in collaboration with the Ifakara health institute. These activities are statistical literacy, scientific writing and winning the research grants. The objective was to create a smooth environment for the sustainability of the statistical laboratory through knowledge. The participants in the workshop were students and lecturers at Mzumbe University, and researchers and interns from Ifakara Research Institute (IHI). The majority of the participants in all three days of workshop were males. The results revealed that the workshop has increased the research and publication activities among MULISA collaborators after the workshop compared to before the workshop. This noted benefit derived from the sharing the skills and collaboration during the workshop. Therefore, the collaborative workshops and training are the engineering tool for sustainability because it allows sharing of new knowledge. The collaboration in writing enhances thoughts, ideas, and knowledge transferability to the next generation.
Some Aspects of Correlation of Physical Capital and Infrastructures on Household Food Security: Evidence from Rural Tanzania
(Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2014) Mbukwa, Justine N.
To achieve the first Millennium Development Goals is still a challenge. The problem of poverty in the context of hunger still persists in Tanzania. Household’s members have not sustainable access to enough and quality of food. The major objective of this study is to ascertain whether exists some aspects of correlation between physical capital and infrastructures on the households` food security. This study was carried out in rural part of Tanzania, in Mvomero district covering three villages selected randomly (a total sample 0f 382 households). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 15.0. Chi-square test was adopted for plausible analysis assesses the extent to which some correlation exists between food security status of the households against independent variables (physical capital and infrastructures of the households). 2 χ = 6.963; − p value Based on the data analyzed empirically, it is remarkable by evidence that variables such as pesticides ( = ( 2 χ = 13.343; − p value = food security in the study area. 0.008 ), tractors ( 2 χ = 0.000 10.024; − p value = 0.002 ) and electricity ) were found to be statistically significant correlated with household’s In view of these findings, there is a need to pay attention supporting rural farmers’ to be able to access farm inputs because of existing some correlation with the household food security status. Finally, this study recommends further study to be carried by incorporating advanced statistical model such cluster analysis, principal components and factor analysis which deals with large data for plausible and interpretable findings.
Spatial Distribution and Pattern Analysis of Women Sexual Violence in Tanzania
(Springer, Cham, 2023) Mbukwa, Justine N.; Mbegalo, Tukae; Levira, Francis
In sub-Saharan Africa, sexual violence is very common among married women. This has a negative effect on health and wellbeing. This problem has not been well documented geographically, particularly in Tanzania. The main objective of this chapter was to describe the geographical distribution of women sexual violence in Tanzania. We used data from the Tanzanian demographic and health survey (2015/2016), comprising a random sample of 10,333 women aged 15–49 years. The study used ArcMap software version 10.8, for understanding the spatial pattern of sexual violence and Chi-square to find out the drivers of high women sexual prevalence rate across the regions. Findings show sexual violence was more prevalent in the Lake and Central zones. Wealth index, marital status, partner’s education, drinking habit and occupation were the main drivers.
Statistical Analytic Tool for Dimensionalities in Big Data: The role of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis
(Research India Publications, 2016) Mbukwa, Justine N.; Tabita, G Neeha; Anjaneyulu, GVSR; Rajasekharam, OV
An interest for presenting this paper rose because of massive increase information with a very high dimensional from different sources in this era of globalization. Data are produced continuously and are unstructured (1). This paper is confined to literature review search for big data issue and challenges of several scopes in data. It brings a detailed discussion on the problem on these data and analysis done using the effective multivariate statistical tool namely clustering analysis technique as a data reduction technique. It is used as a base for discussion for existing challenge of multi-dimensionalities of data. The findings indicated that, the world is noisy due to massive flow of information continuously. Findings revealed that data emanating from face book, you tube and twitter can be used to predict the epidemic of influenza and even market trend (2 and 3). With face book data is used to predict the people`s interest. However, data from different sources have been proved to be useful in decision making efficiently and effectively for public as well as private sector. Cluster analysis technique sorts data/alike things into groups, to see if there a high natural degree association among members of the same group and low between members of different groups. Finally, this technique has proved failure to handle such heap of data with varied sources. With regards to data stored, it remains to be a challenge in terms of analysis among researchers and scientists. Therefore, it calls for advanced statistical software to cater for such an existing challenges.
Utilization of non-financial business support services to aid development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tanzania
(AECA (Asociación Española de Contabilidad y Administración de Empresas) Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, 2021) Lwesya, Francis; Mwakalobo, Adam Beni Swebe; Mbukwa, Justine N.
A variety of factors inhibit the development of MSMEs in African countries, which in turn affects entrepreneurship, job creation and economic transformation. Using cross-sectional data from 250 MSMEs in the Dar es Salaam region, we find in most of the examined variables the positive relationship between the use of non-financial business support services (BDS) and the development of MSMEs in the Dar es Salaam region. However, contrary to expectations, building business linkages and mentoring programs recorded negative relationships with MSMEs development. This is related to restricted capacities stemming from the size of MSMEs compared to large companies and deficiencies in the content of mentoring programs. In addition, the discrepancy between BDS demand and supply as well as the low adoption rate of BDS are associated with the inadequate adaptation of BDS to the needs of MSMEs, high service costs and a lack of qualified service providers. Thus, we argue that the provision of BDS to MSMEs should be demand-driven and that institutions should build on the pre-eminent characteristics of MSMEs when designing business support programs. On the other hand, Government efforts to nurture the development of MSMEs through policies and programs should extend to promoting business linkages between MSMEs and large enterprises.

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