The Journal of Informatics

Determinants of Childhood Vaccination Uptake: A Machine Learning Approach Using a Decision Tree Classifier

Khamisi Kalegele, Edison Wazoel Lubua — Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study applies a Decision Tree Classifier to determine the most influential factors affecting childhood vaccination uptake in Tanzania. Methodologically, the study was quantitative in nature, using the power of Decision Support Classifier in decision making. As a result of applying a Decision Tree Classifier, six key predictors were identified as influential to the model: birth interval, number of antenatal visits, maternal age, child age, number of births in the last five years, and number of children under five years old. Among these, birth interval (33%) and antenatal visits (13%) had the highest impact on vaccination uptake. The findings indicate that shorter birth intervals, fewer antenatal visits, and younger maternal age reduce the likelihood of child vaccination. Additionally, children below 18 months and those from large households are more likely to miss immunisation. The study underscores the importance of family planning, antenatal education, healthcare access, and targeted immunisation campaigns to improve vaccination rates. These insights provide data-driven recommendations for policymakers and healthcare professionals to enhance childhood immunisation programs and reduce preventable child mortality.

Using Fishing Information to Enhance Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Small-Scale Fishers in Pangani District, Tanzania

HENRY Mungongo, Hawa Omary Mofi — Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Climate change is posing harmful impacts on fishing resources as coastal communities have been relying on it to gain their livelihoods. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the use of fishing information for the adaptation of small-scale fishers to climate change in Pangani –Tanzania. The study adopted a mixed approach with the use of purposive and random sampling techniques in selecting 94 respondents. Questionnaires survey and interviews were used to collect primary data. Statistical package for social sciences software was used to analyse quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study revealed the use of social networks and fishermen’s institutions for increasing resilience to climate change. Accessing fishing information through, own experience, advertisement of climate change issues through Television/Radio and Tanzania Metrological agency were the main methods. These main sources provided fishing information on the better use and access of affordable fishing gears, weather changes, improved new fish species, early-maturing fish/fish varieties, fishing calendar changes and environmental conservation methods. Therefore, the study concludes that small-scale fisher’s ability to respond to changing climate is largely dependent on the extent of access and use of fishing information. Therefore, it is recommended that collective strategic initiatives are needed to promote small-scale fishing information through enhanced using of social media extension services, regular village meetings and good applied research institutions, which increases fisherman’s resilience to climate change.

Investigating the Determinants of Virtual Fiscal Device Continuance in Tanzania: The Role of Trust from the Taxpayer’s Perspective

Deogratius Mathew Lashayo, Julius Raphael Athuman Mhina, Edwin Marco Kwesigabo — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study investigates the most influential factors shaping taxpayers’ long-term intention to continue using Virtual Fiscal Devices (VFDs) in Tanzania’s electronic tax collection system. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design, with data collected from 817 VFD users across three major tax regions—Ilala, Temeke, and Kariakoo. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study identified trust in VFDs as a central mediating variable linking confirmation, perceived usefulness, mass media influence, and trust in government to continuance intention. The results show that trust in VFDs significantly shapes sustained system usage, highlighting its critical role in behavioral adherence to digital tax compliance tools. These findings extend the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) by integrating trust-centric constructs within a Tanzanian ICT-taxation context. Practically, the study offers actionable insights for system developers and policymakers to design trustworthy fiscal tools. Socially, it signals a behavioral transition among taxpayers, emphasizing trust as a driver for long-term adoption of digital taxation systems. The study provides novel, empirically validated guidance for improving the effectiveness and sustainability of electronic tax administration in developing economies.

Enhancing Mini Apps Continuance Usage: The Impact of Privacy Concerns, Super Apps Reputation, and Information System Quality Attributes

Daniel Koloseni — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Building on an extended DeLone-McLean model, the current study investigates the influence of IS quality attributes, privacy concerns, super app reputation, and convenience on users' intention to continue using the Mini-Apps. The study tested hypotheses using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. Data were collected from 289 experienced Vodacom Mpesa users in Tanzania. The study found that system quality, service quality, reputation, and satisfaction positively and significantly influence the users' intention to continue using mini-apps, while privacy concerns have adverse effects. Also, the reputation of the super apps (i.e., Vodacom Mpesa) moderates the influence of system quality and service quality on the user's intention to continue using Mini-Apps. At the same time, satisfaction plays a vital role in mediating the impact of information quality and system quality on the user's intention to continue using the Mini-Apps. Service providers and developers could use the findings to enhance IS Quality attributes and address privacy concerns and reputation to improve its continued mini-app usage. This study is among the early attempts in the African context to explore the moderation effects of super-app reputation and the mediation impact of user satisfaction on the intention to continue using mini-apps. It also extends DeLone-McLean's model by including privacy concerns, super apps' reputation, convenience, and system quality attributes to enhance mini-app continuance usage.

Determinants of Cryptocurrency Adoption in Tanzania’s Banking Sector

Thadei Kiwango, Repidius Muganyizi Kamala — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Cryptocurrency is conceptualized as digital assets designed to function as mediums of exchange in Todays’ world. The objective of the study was to; evaluate the technological infrastructures and perception of Tanzanian consumers, as determinants to the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Tanzania’s commercial banks. The study employed a quantitative research design using surveys administered to 350 selected bank staff from ten commercial banks in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings indicate that both consumer perception and technological infrastructure significantly influence cryptocurrency adoption in Tanzania's commercial banks, with consumer perception having a more dominant impact. The study concludes that although banks possess strong infrastructure readiness, increasing public awareness and understanding is crucial to promoting wider adoption of cryptocurrency. Commercial banks are advised to invest in advanced and secure technological infrastructures to support the growing adoption and safe integration of cryptocurrencies. Future studies can adopt a mixed research approach, incorporating qualitative methods to gain deeper insights into the factors determining the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Tanzania's commercial banking sector.