Factors influencing parents and caregivers’ engagement in school feeding programmes in Nzega District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined factors influencing parents’ and caregivers’ engagement in School Feeding Programmes (SFPs). The study was conducted in Uduka Ward, in Nzega District, Tanzania. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and collected data through interviews and documentary review methods. The study involved 227 respondents, 219 parents and caregivers, and 8 key informants who were systematically and purposively selected, respectively. Interviewers administered a questionnaire to collect primary data. The collected data were subjected to binary logistic regression and descriptive statistics analysis. The study observed that education level, income, number of income sources, attitude towards primary education, and awareness of SFPs significantly influenced the engagement of parents and caregivers in SFPs through contributions. The study concludes that several factors have a significant influence on parents’ and caregivers' engagement in SFPs. These factors include income, number of income sources, education level, attitude towards education and SFPs, all of which have a positive association with their engagement in SFP. The study recommends enhancing the efficacy of the programme and the engagement of parents and caregivers through workshops and information sharing sessions, the Ministry responsible for Education and Vocation Training can cultivate a better understanding on how SFPs positively affects pupils’ health and educational performance, thereby increasing participation and support for SFPs. To boost parents’ and caregivers’ engagement in school feeding initiatives, it is advisable to the responsible ministries to improve individuals’ education level, households’ income and launch targeted awareness raising and mindset change campaigns on provided education and the school feeding programmes.