Poverty, though noted to have no universally agreed definition, is given as a condition of living below a set minimum standard level, the poverty line. In rural Tanzania, it is widespread.This study investigates factors exacerbating poverty conditions in rural Tanzania by a case study of Bukoba Rural District. Literature review shows that there still exists gaps in knowledge on factors exacerbating poverty.
Two poverty-exacerbating factors are identified: (a) labour constraints in the labour intensive smallholder agricultural production, the basis of rural livelihoods: (b) population dynamics: the onset of fertility decline. Recent developments, namely tolls from the AIDS epidemic and possible reduction of traditionally significant child labour contributions with the onset of fertility decline are focused on. The central role of the woman in the household economy is recognised. With deteriorating economic conditions, women have added cash earning activities to their already heavy workload, thus becoming the cornerstone of livelihood of households, but then with serious health and productivity consequences.
The study notes that although the majority of couples desire to have fewer children, yet very few adopt measures to limit fertility. This is seen as a pauperising factor of having unwanted children that drain family resources. Data was collected through a sample survey drawn from 400 households in two villages: Bugombe and Kigarama in Kanyigo Ward in Bukoba District. The methodology of data collection included a multiple method approach, interviews in the sample survey, focus groups, and participant observation.
Poverty was measured by a possessions index and; labour constraints was estimated through direct questions to and time allocation of respondents, and indirectly by gaps in the age structure of the sample population due to tolls of the AIDS epidemic. Excess children was measured by survey questions on children born, living, desired, and practice of fertility limitation and reasons thereof. Data was analysed by both descriptive(cross-tabulations) and multivariate (logistic regression) methods. Findings are presented showing pervasion of poverty: over 50 percent of households living below the poverty line, with half in abject poverty (having no possessions and no access to enough food). Women-headed households were found to be the poorest; over five times poorer than those headed by a male with a wife. Furthermore, households headed by a male without a wife were found to be as poor as female-headed ones. Time allocation data analysis showed that women worked over 9 hours a day, against 3.5 for adult males. This was confirmed in focus group interviews and participant observation: men actually admitted that they did little work but could do change what seemed a pre-ordained situation. This is interpreted as the economics of patriarchy: us long as they are under the control of men women would shoulder a heavy workload. However, a male head without a wife also worked long hours.
A possible pauperisation arising from cm excess number of children was observed for the majority. Thus, for example, of those with excess and still at risk of further childbearing, only 30 percent were practicing fertility limitation. This mav be a result of social stigma or perhaps that there were still advantages of having many children.