Browsing by Author "Bali, Theodora"

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    Emotional and relationship dynamics between HIV sero discordance and concordance couples: a narrative literature review and theoretical framework
    (ARC Publications Private Limited, 2017) Mwakalapuka, Amani; Mwampagatwa, Ipyana; Bali, Theodora; Mwashambwa, Masumbuko; Kibusi, Stephen
    Tanzania is among the countries with high prevalence of HIV prevalence in the World. Despite the fact that the epidemic has been, and still is a threat to persons of all ages, recent studies have suggested that most new infections occur among couples in stable relationships. Infected couples are categorised into two: the positive concordant, where both the partners are HIV positive; and sero-discordant couples, where one partner is HIV positive while the other is negative. Recently, researchers and many other stake-holders working on the HIV/AIDS epidemic have given a remarkable attention to this astonishing reality. For instance one study in East and Southern Africa indicates that there are great variations of discordancy varying from 36% to 85%, with an overall rate of 49%. HIV couple sero-discordancy is responsible for varied levels of psychological distress including heightened levels of anxiety, poor emotional adaptation and increased or excessive substance use, most often coupled with exclusion and social isolation within family and in the neighbourhood. However, to date the influence of sero-discordancy on family and couple relationship functioning and how it differs from that among concordant couples remains elusive. Discordancy have been associated with more difficulties as compared to the seroconverted couples, these include relationship and emotional disturbances, sexual contact distancing, marital separation and disruptions. The Lazarus and Folkmans (1984)s Transactional Model can be helpful in understanding individuals with HIV discordancy on their emotional response, coping strategies and the ultimate decisions towards their marital relationships fate. Couple sero-discordancy, HIV/AIDS, Theory, Emotional problems, psychosocial problems, Literature review.
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    Mothers’ willingness to deliver at health facilities in Dodoma region, Tanzania
    (Kenya Medical Research Institute, 2022) Ngowi, Agatha Fabian; Bali, Theodora; Kamazima, Switbert Rwechungura; Gibore, Nyasiro Sophia
    Introduction: Maternal morbidity and mortality are a public health concern in most developing countries. It has been shown that skilled attendance at birth can be the single most effective intervention in preventing maternal death. However, limited studies have updated current knowledge on why some women prefer to deliver at health facilities and others do not. The study was aimed to explore mother’s willingness to deliver at the health facilities and attitudes toward service providers in Dodoma Region, Tanzania Methods and Materials: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study design conducted in four districts of the Dodoma region. The study population was women of reproductive age with their (spouses) who had children aged less than two years, health care providers, TBAs, and community leaders. We conducted eight focused group discussions (FGDs) and fourteen In-depth interviews (IDIs) using interview guides and an IDI checklist respectively. Data were transcribed and translated from Kiswahili to English. The transcribed documents were then exported into NVivo 10 software to facilitate the coding process and analyzed through a thematic approach. Results: The study participants reported that the majority of women were willing to deliver at health facilities but some still preferred home delivery due to different reasons including positive or negative attitudes toward service provided by nurses and traditional birth attendants. Conclusions: Our findings suggest for health care providers customize respectful maternity care to all women. This may encourage all women to deliver at the health facilities; hence, decreasing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.
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    Women’s determinant factors for preferred place of delivery in Dodoma region Tanzania: a cross sectional study
    (Springer, 2017) Ngowi, Agatha Fabian; Kamazima, Switbert R.; Kibusi, Steven; Gesase, Ainory; Bali, Theodora
    Background: Skilled birth attendance is one of the key factors in improving maternal health but less than 50% of women in sub-Saharan African countries do not have the opportunity to be attended to by skilled personnel during childbirth. The aim of the study was to assess the factors determining women’s preference for a place to give birth in Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design using quantitative data collection and analysis methods. Data were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 800 women obtained through multistage random sampling. Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine the predictors of place of delivery. Results: More than three quarters 629(78.6%) respondents had their last delivery in the health facilities while 171(21.4%) had their last delivery at home/on the way to hospital. Reasons for delivering at home include: abrupt occurrence of labour pain, long distance to the health facilities, lack of money to pay for transport and unfriendly experience with the health care providers. Simple logistic regression model indicate that mothers’ education level, number of children, cost of transport the estimated distance to the nearby health facility and occupation were strong predictors of the preferred place of delivery. However, after controlling the potential confounder, the multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated a significant association between delivery at the health facility and the number of children and transport cost. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a need for health care providers to enhance health education to women and their spouses about birth preparedness and the importance of delivering at the health facility. There is also a need for the government to increase the number of health facilities including maternity waiting homes and well trained health workers in both rural and urban areas.