Knowledge Base

Tanzania EPI Vaccination Schedule — Infants

Birth: BCG + OPV 0. 6 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 1 + OPV 1 + PCV 1 + Rota 1. 10 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 2 + OPV 2 + PCV 2 + Rota 2. 14 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 3 + OPV 3 + PCV 3. 9 months: Measles-Rubella 1 + Yellow Fever. 18 months: Measles-Rubella 2 booster.

🇹🇿 Kuzaliwa: BCG + OPV 0. Wiki 6: chanjo 5-in-1 + OPV + PCV + Rota. Wiki 10: chanjo za pili. Wiki 14: chanjo za tatu. Miezi 9: Surua-Rubella + Homa ya Manjano. Miezi 18: Chanjo ya nyongeza ya Surua-Rubella.

Source: Tanzania EPI National Schedule 2023

Exclusive Breastfeeding — First 6 Months

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is recommended. Breast milk provides all nutrients the baby needs. Begin breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Feed on demand, at least 8 times per day. Do not give water, formula, or other foods during this period.

🇹🇿 Kunyonyesha maziwa ya mama peke yake kwa miezi 6 ya kwanza kunapendekezwa. Maziwa ya mama hutoa virutubisho vyote anavyohitaji mtoto. Anza kunyonyesha ndani ya saa 1 baada ya kuzaa. Nyonyesha kwa mahitaji, angalau mara 8 kwa siku.

Source: Tanzania Infant Feeding Guidelines

ANC 8-Visit Schedule (Tanzania)

Tanzania follows the WHO 8-contact ANC model: Visit 1 at <12 weeks, Visit 2 at 20 weeks, Visit 3 at 26 weeks, Visit 4 at 30 weeks, Visit 5 at 34 weeks, Visit 6 at 36 weeks, Visit 7 at 38 weeks, Visit 8 at 40 weeks. Each visit includes BP check, weight, fetal assessment, and health education.

🇹🇿 Tanzania inafuata mfumo wa WHO wa ziara 8 za kliniki ya ujauzito. Ziara ya 1 kabla ya wiki 12, ziara ya 2 wiki 20, na ziara zaidi hadi kujifungua. Kila ziara inajumuisha kupima shinikizo la damu, uzito, tathmini ya mtoto, na elimu ya afya.

Source: Tanzania ANC Guidelines 2023

Danger Signs in Pregnancy

Seek immediate care at a health facility if you experience: heavy vaginal bleeding, severe headache or blurred vision, convulsions or fits, high fever above 38°C, reduced or absent fetal movement after 28 weeks, severe abdominal pain, swelling of face/hands/feet, difficulty breathing.

🇹🇿 Tafuta msaada wa haraka katika kituo cha afya ukipata: kutokwa damu nyingi ukeni, maumivu makali ya kichwa au maono mabaya, degedege, homa kali zaidi ya 38°C, mtoto kutosogea baada ya wiki 28, maumivu makali ya tumbo, kuvimba uso/mikono/miguu, ugumu wa kupumua.

Source: Tanzania MNH Guidelines 2023

Postpartum Mental Health

After giving birth, it's normal to experience mood changes. However, if you feel persistently sad, anxious, hopeless, or have difficulty bonding with your baby for more than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression. This is not your fault and help is available. Talk to your healthcare provider, family member, or call our helpline. Warning signs: thoughts of harming yourself or baby, inability to care for baby, extreme anxiety, not eating or sleeping.

Source: WHO Mental Health Guidelines for Maternal Care

Vaccination Schedule for Newborns

At birth: BCG + OPV-0. At 6 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 1 + OPV-1 + PCV-1 + Rotavirus-1. At 10 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 2 + OPV-2 + PCV-2 + Rotavirus-2. At 14 weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 3 + OPV-3 + PCV-3 + IPV. At 9 months: Measles-Rubella 1 + Vitamin A. At 18 months: Measles-Rubella 2. Keep your child's vaccination card safe and bring it to every clinic visit.

Source: Tanzania Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)

Breastfeeding Best Practices

Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Feed your baby exclusively on breast milk for the first 6 months — no water, formula, or other foods needed. Breastfeed on demand, at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. Ensure proper latch: baby's mouth should cover most of the areola. Signs baby is getting enough milk: 6+ wet diapers per day, steady weight gain, content after feeding.

🇹🇿 Anza kunyonyesha ndani ya saa moja baada ya kuzaliwa. Mnyonyeshe mtoto maziwa ya mama peke yake kwa miezi 6 ya kwanza — hakuna haja ya maji, formula, au vyakula vingine. Nyonyesha kwa mahitaji ya mtoto, angalau mara 8-12 kwa masaa 24.

Source: Tanzania IMCI Guidelines

Nutrition During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, eat a balanced diet including: iron-rich foods (dark leafy vegetables, beans, meat), folic acid foods, plenty of fruits and vegetables, adequate protein (fish, eggs, legumes). Take prescribed iron and folic acid supplements. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine.

🇹🇿 Wakati wa ujauzito, kula chakula chenye lishe kamili ikiwa ni pamoja na: vyakula vyenye madini ya chuma (mboga za majani, maharage, nyama), vyakula vyenye folic acid, matunda na mboga za kutosha, protini ya kutosha (samaki, mayai, kunde). Tumia vidonge vya chuma na folic acid vilivyoagizwa. Kunywa angalau glasi 8 za maji kwa siku.

Source: WHO Maternal Nutrition Guidelines

Danger Signs During Pregnancy

Seek immediate medical help if you experience: severe vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with blurred vision, high fever (above 38°C), convulsions/fits, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, baby stops moving. These are emergency signs that require immediate hospital attention.

🇹🇿 Tafuta msaada wa daktari mara moja ukipata: kutoka damu nyingi ukeni, maumivu makali ya kichwa na kuona vibaya, homa kali (zaidi ya 38°C), kifafa/degedege, maumivu makali ya tumbo, ugumu wa kupumua, mtoto kusimama kutembea. Hizi ni ishara za dharura zinazohitaji kwenda hospitalini mara moja.

Source: Tanzania National Maternal Health Guidelines 2023