Budeba Mlyakado | City University of Hong Kong (original) (raw)

Papers by Budeba Mlyakado

Child Abuse & Neglect, Dec 31, 2023

Deleted Journal, Dec 31, 2023

Journal of interpersonal violence, Jan 29, 2016

Compensated dating (CD) has emerged as a global concern since the 1990s. Although considerable em... more Compensated dating (CD) has emerged as a global concern since the 1990s. Although considerable empirical research has been conducted to assess the patterns of and factors influencing CD, limited information is currently available on the attitudes of guardians (e.g., social workers, police officers, parents of students, and community representatives) in a Chinese community toward this issue. Using survey data collected from 962 guardians, the current study analyzes the guardians' perceptions of CD and their self-efficacy in handling this issue. Results show that these guardians perceive CD to be exploitative or harmful and that their self-efficacy in handling this issue was low. In particular, social workers appeared to be considerably tolerant for this phenomenon. Perceptions of CD were partly predictable by age, gender, and educational attainment, whereas self-efficacy was partly predictable by experience working with cases involving CD. This study represents the first attempt ...

International Journal of Psychology, 2015

T his study retrospectively investigates the influence of child (i.e., gender), care-giver (e.g.,... more T his study retrospectively investigates the influence of child (i.e., gender), care-giver (e.g., who grew up with), household size (i.e., number of siblings grew up with) and community (i.e., rural versus urban) factors on childhood maltreatment, as well as the impacts of maltreatment on psychological functioning. A cross-sectional survey and self-report methodology is used to gather data from 300 students of the University of Ghana. The results show that being a male, growing up in rural areas, living with more than 3 siblings in the same household and being raised by both biological parents have significant main effects on childhood maltreatment. Analyses of the interaction effects show that living with more than 5 siblings in a rural household with "other" parents (i.e., non-biological parents) has a significant effect on physical abuse. Furthermore, males from rural households consisting of more than 3 siblings and who did not grow up with both biological parents endorsed significantly more physical abuse and physical neglect, compared with the females. With respect to the psychological outcome, childhood maltreatment significantly predicts and account for significant variance in depression (34%), self-efficacy (18%) and life satisfaction (22%). The findings and the implications of the study are briefly discussed.

International Journal of Research Studies in Educational Technology, 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of secondary school teachers' knowledge and sk... more The purpose of this study was to assess the status of secondary school teachers' knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) policy for basic education in Tanzania. In particular, the study examined Tanga Municipality and Mwanza region secondary school teachers' ability to use computers (the basic ICT tool) for the professional practices; and solicited teachers' opinions on the integration of ICT in secondary education. Self-administered questionnaires with closed-ended and open-ended questions were used to gather data from the respondents. The sample consisted of 26 schools; 11 schools drawn from Tanga Municipality and 15 drawn from Mwanza region. From 26 surveyed schools, a total of 124 respondents were recruited, both males and females. The study found several gaps which exist between the ICT policy and the real practice or implementation of ICT objectives in education such as limited teachers' awareness and training in ICT integration, and electricity and ICT facilities supply in most schools. Education sector, in Tanzania, should strive to work shoulder to shoulder with other sectors in the country for the improvement of education in general and integration of ICT in teaching and learning processes.

Children and Youth Services Review

Sexual relationship among students in schools is found to be common. However

This study explored schoolgirls ’ knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky se... more This study explored schoolgirls ’ knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky sexual activity including unplanned–premarital–pregnancies in Bagamoyo district and Shinyanga district, in Tanzania. Schoolgirls in Tanzania are under considerable pressure to engage in sexual activity unrealistically, and consequently drop out of school due to pregnancy. Using questionnaire, covert observation, and focus group interviews to 96 schoolgirls, the study revealed that schoolgirls have the basic knowledge of sexual activity, and most of them are sexually active. Schoolgirls practise sexual activity but they have less negotiating power on safer sex and preventing themselves from pregnancy and HIV infections. They are also at considerable risks of sexual violence or abuse from their teachers and the ‘sugar daddies ’ through sexual exploitation. The study, then, underscores the provision of sex education to students and the whole community as well as rethinking on how to bring up ...

Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a global concern. Nevertheless, there is a pau... more Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a global concern. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of empirical studies in Tanzania that systematically examine stakeholders’ views on this phenomenon. Using qualitative data from eight focus group discussions (FGDs), this study explores perspectives of teachers and social workers on sexual exploitation of adolescent students. The respondents of this study were conveniently selected from six secondary schools and two social welfare departments in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza regions of Tanzania. The study intended to generate insights for relevant policy and practices towards mitigating the plights of sexual exploitation. Results indicate that teachers and social workers perceive adolescent students as active partakers of transactional sex due to their perceived lack of economic opportunities to meet basic needs; lust for fashionable materials of ‘modernity’; and vulnerability. The outcomes of these exploitative sexual partnerships to a...

The sexual exploitation (SE) of children and adolescents is a universal concern. Numerous empiric... more The sexual exploitation (SE) of children and adolescents is a universal concern. Numerous empirical studies have examined the prevalence and consequences of this phenomenon worldwide, but there is little information on the factors that determine the help-seeking intentions of adolescents subject to SE in Tanzania. We drew on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to address this knowledge gap. The study had two main objectives. First, we examined four TPB variables (attitudes toward seeking help, perceived social support, perceived social stigma, and generalized self-efficacy) as determinants of the Tanzanian adolescents' help-seeking intentions. Second, we explored the moderating effects of social stigma on the relationship between the examined TPB factors and the adolescents' help-seeking intentions. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a stratified random sample of 1,116 secondary school adolescents aged 13-17 (M = 15.66; SD = 1.09). The participant...

International Social Work

A considerable empirical research has been conducted on sexual exploitation of children and adole... more A considerable empirical research has been conducted on sexual exploitation of children and adolescents; however, limited information is available in developing countries. This study describes and discusses the prevalence, nature and characteristics of sexual exploitation of adolescents using data collected from 1116 secondary school students in Tanzania. Results indicate that 21 percent of the surveyed adolescent students had had at least one experience of sexual exploitation. Being a female, living in rural areas and being aged above 15 years were associated with high risk of sexual exploitation. This study underscores gender- and locality-specific social work interventional requirements, with emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborative efforts.

This study assessed attitudes and views of thirty secondary school teachers and three heads of sc... more This study assessed attitudes and views of thirty secondary school teachers and three heads of schools towards students’ sexual relationships in three secondary schools. Teachers filled in a questionnaire, which tapped their views and reaction towards students’ sexual relationships; knowledge of sex education; and how they assisted students on sexual related matters. The heads of schools and twelve teachers were interviewed. The results of this assessment revealed a range of teachers’ attitudes and views towards students’ sexual relationships. Many teachers favoured the provision of sex education; yet, most of them were either not conversant with sex education or did not want to educate or assist students in sexual related matters. Some teachers punished students involved in sexual relationships; this indicated negative attitudes towards students’ sexual relationships. Some teachers helped students on sexual matters, which indicated positive attitude towards students’ sexual relationships. This paper recommends for alternative ways to improve students’ wellbeing through provision of effective sex education to students, strengthening help and support systems in schools, and establishment of sex education programmes for teachers and students.

Tanzania in response to the World Declaration on Education for All (EFA) – Universal Primary Educ... more Tanzania in response to the World Declaration on Education for All (EFA) – Universal Primary Education by 2000, Millennium Development Goals, and the Dakar EFA Goals embarked on different programmes and initiatives to address the issue of education as the major strategy to development challenges. The adoption of Education and Training Policy (1995) and subsequently the launching of Education Sector Development Programme (1997) were fundamental in reforming education in the country. Then, in the 2000s, two programmes [Primary Education Development Programme and Secondary Education Development Programme] were launched to deal with issues of education in primary and secondary schools. By 2010, Tanzania has attained gender parity in primary school enrolment and near parity in lower secondary school enrolment. However, it remained difficult to resolve gender inequalities through education as many gender disparities persevere in higher levels of education and science fields; education for vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups is not well addressed; and, the quality of education has deteriorated overtime. It is high time then, for Tanzania to address gender equality through education and improve the quality of education by investing in Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED), educating the vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups, developing learning curiosity among women and girls, and improving quality of teachers.

Sexual relationship among students in schools is found to be common. However, studies in Tanzania... more Sexual relationship among students in schools is found to be common. However, studies in Tanzania have not dealt much with the contribution of students’ sexual relationship on academic performance. This study attempts to highlight associations which students’ sexual relationship has on academic performance. Using 172 respondents drawn from eight secondary schools in two regions of Tanzania, using a pragmatic approach; it was found that, the existence of students’ sexual relationship, which is fuelled by self-sexual desire and/or coercion through sexual exploitation is a commonplace practice in Tanzanian schools. Students’ involvement in sexual relationship puts them into lots of relational and social problems, which adversely affect their social as well as academic lives. It is opined that, in order to help young people in schools, establishing bonds between parents and teachers in bringing up the youth is a necessary step; strengthening help and support systems in schools is another way of helping the youths; school-based sexual and reproductive health education, which will give students relevant and age appropriate sexual information is another strategy to help young people. The study discusses the findings in relation to existing literature and current Tanzania education practice; and lastly, limitations and recommendation for further studies are offered.

International Journal of Education, 2013

This study explored schoolgirls' knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky sex... more This study explored schoolgirls' knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky sexual activity including unplanned-premarital-pregnancies in Bagamoyo district and Shinyanga district, in Tanzania. Schoolgirls in Tanzania are under considerable pressure to engage in sexual activity unrealistically, and consequently drop out of school due to pregnancy. Using questionnaire, covert observation, and focus group interviews to 96 schoolgirls, the study revealed that schoolgirls have the basic knowledge of sexual activity, and most of them are sexually active. Schoolgirls practise sexual activity but they have less negotiating power on safer sex and preventing themselves from pregnancy and HIV infections. They are also at considerable risks of sexual violence or abuse from their teachers and the 'sugar daddies' through sexual exploitation. The study, then, underscores the provision of sex education to students and the whole community as well as rethinking on how to bring up the youths in acceptable sexual behaviours.

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of secondary school teachers’ knowledge and ... more The purpose of this study was to assess the status of secondary school teachers’ knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) policy for basic education in T anzania. In particular, the study examined
Tanga Municipality and Mwanza region secondary school teachers’ ability to use computers (the basic ICT tool) for the professional practices; and solicited teachers’ opinions on the integration of ICT in secondary education. Self-administered questionnaires with
closed-ended and open-ended questions were used to gather data from the respondents. The sample consisted of 26 schools; 11 schools drawn from Tanga Municipality and 15 drawn from Mwanza region. From 26 surveyed schools, a total of 124 respondents were recruited,
both males and females. The study found several gaps which exist between the ICT policy and the real practice or implementation of ICT objectives in education such as limited teachers’ awareness and training in ICT integration, and electricity and ICT facilities supply in most schools. Education sector, in Tanzania, should strive to work shoulder to shoulder with other sectors in the country for the improvement of education in general and integration of ICT in teaching and learning processes.