 Tanzania
BACKGROUND
The total population of Tanzania is approximately 33 million and is currently doubling every 21 years. The total fertility rate is 5.6 and the modern contraceptive rate is estimated at 15% (1999 Tanzania Reproductive and Child Health Survey). The population, as in many African countries, is young with half below the age of 15. Indicators of maternal and child health have not improved significantly over the last decade. Infant and under-five mortality remains high at 88 and 137 deaths per 1,000 births, respectively. Though there have been recent increases in both AIDS knowledge and HIV testing, to date, an estimated 1.5 million people have been infected with HIV, and about one half million have AIDS.
HCP will focus on new approaches, expanded partnerships and building BCC capacity in the public, NGO and private sectors, building on its previous experience in Tanzania under PCS.
USAID/Tanzania's overall strategic objective is to increase use of RH/MCH preventive measures with an emphasis on improving the policy and legal environment, increasing the availability of quality services, and increasing the demand for specific quality services through the public, voluntary, and private sectors.
The Health Communication Partnership will focus on the following USAID Mission Intermediate Results:
- IR 2: Availability of quality services increased
- IR 3: Demand for specific services increased
CURRENT STATUS
CCP has been providing technical assistance to the Tanzania Commission on AIDS (TACAIDS) on ISHI ("to live" in Swahili), a behavior change communication initiative designed by and for men and women 15 to 24 years old. The Prime Minister of Tanzania was the patron of the campaign which won the United Nations Global Award in 2002 and was well received by Tanzanian youth.
CCP is collaborating with the Ministry of Health Reproductive Child Health Section (MOH/RCHS) to implement the Quality Improvement and Recognition Initiative (QIRI) which focuses on the improvement of reproductive and child health services in three regions. Major accomplishments include: the capacity building of the MOH/RCHS, development of a standard facility assessment tool, collaboration with service CAs (Intrah, JHPIEGO, and EngenderHealth) on QI activities, as well as gaining buy-in and support from senior level Ministry of Health officials, donors, and other relevant counterparts.
Contact: Ian Tweedie, itweedie@jhuccp.org
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