The impact of structural adjustment programme on selected adolescent health and livelihood in Tanzania: the case of four selected districts

Research problem: This study focused on exploring the connection between the impact of structural adjustment programme on adolescent health and their livelihood in Tanzania. The issue at stake here then is how the socio-economic environment (resulting from SAP) impacts differently on the health and livelihood of different individual adolescents. Methodology used: The study adopted an historical approach combined with case study design. The study applied true experiment with modification. To guide the study both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. The study managed to interview 380 adolescent boys and girls, 50 key informants and conducted 12 focused group discussions in the four study locations. Findings: Findings of this study depict adolescents as vulnerable to ill health and poor livelihood because they are systematically excluded from development plans and programme implementation. Conclusion: SAP institutionalized the exclusion of adolescents from health and livelihood options through unfair and unjust policies adopted by Tanzania as part of SAP package. The study recommends that Tanzania adopts a more inclusive approach that will ensure that different social categories are included in the development agenda.