Y1 Progress report | Gabriel Ndimbo
Food Insecurity and Children's Malnutrition Severity in Agroecological Zones of Tanzania: Insights from Njombe Region
This report presents progress achieved during the first year of the 24-month FAR-LeaF research project on food insecurity and the severity of children’s malnutrition in agroecological zones of Tanzania, with a focus on Njombe Region. The project aims to generate evidence on how household food insecurity, agroecological conditions, and socio-economic factors influence children’s nutritional status. During the first year, implementation concentrated on building the administrative, ethical, technical, and field foundations needed for data collection and analysis.
The first major activity was the application for research permits from national and local government authorities between July and August 2025. This stage ensured that the study adhered to appropriate ethical and administrative procedures before field entry. The permit process also introduced the project to authorities and laid the groundwork for cooperation with regional, district, and community-level actors during field activities. In addition to the research permit, ethical approval was obtained from the University of Dar es Salaam.
From September to December 2025, the project focused on literature review, stakeholder engagement, and preparation of field instruments. The literature review examined evidence on child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa using a scoping review. This work supported the development of a scoping review manuscript using the PRISMA-ScR approach and refined the study’s conceptual and methodological direction. The output of this review was published in Discover Public Health Journal in July 2026 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02608-4).
At the same time, stakeholder engagement was conducted with regional and district health and nutrition officers, as well as other relevant actors. These consultations supported the identification of suitable study sites and strengthened planning for fieldwork in the Njombe Region. Field preparation was also undertaken during this period. The questionnaire, interview guides, and focus group discussion tools were prepared, reviewed, and tested to improve clarity, cultural appropriateness, and suitability for the study population. Research assistants and enumerators were identified to support fieldwork. Equipment and supplies required for data collection were planned and procured, including weighing scales, length boards, a sound recorder, consent forms, questionnaires, interview and FGD guides, notebooks, pens, and pencils. These preparations were important because the project combines quantitative household survey data with qualitative interviews.
The fieldwork was scheduled and implemented from January to June 2026. The study design included a 410-questionnaire survey, interviews, and focus group discussions. Fieldwork collected data on household food security, child nutrition, and contextual factors affecting the severity of malnutrition across agroecological settings. The researcher, supported by enumerators and research assistants, conducted data collection using approved tools and upheld ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent and engaging with respondents respectfully. The involvement of local stakeholders and nutrition officers improved community access and strengthened the relevance of the data collected.
Data management and early analysis began in the first year and continued alongside data collection, which started in March 2026. Quantitative data entry for questionnaire responses was initiated, while qualitative data from interviews and FGDs were prepared for transcription and translation from Swahili to English, as needed. The planned analytical approach combines quantitative and qualitative analysis using software such as Stata and NVivo. Early data-handling activities focused on ensuring completeness, consistency, and readiness for interpretation in the second phase.
Generally, the first year establishes the operational base of the research project. Key achievements include progress on research permits, completion of the literature review process, stakeholder engagement, identification of potential study sites, preparation and testing of data collection tools, procurement of field supplies, implementation of the survey and qualitative data collection, and the start of data entry and analysis. These activities position the project well for the second year, which will focus on completing analysis, interpreting findings, preparing reports and manuscripts, engaging stakeholders through workshops and seminars, disseminating results to communities and schools, and assessing the project's wider impact. The first-year work, therefore, provides a strong foundation for producing policy-relevant evidence on food insecurity and child malnutrition in Njombe Region.
Annual report submitted by Dr Gabriel Ndimbo
(summarised for publication by Heidi Sonnekus for the FAR-LeaF Programme)
