Assessment of health information needs and accessibility among first-time mothers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the health information needs and accessibility among first-time mothers in Tanzania with reference to Dar es Salaam City. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 201 conveniently selected first-time mothers. Purposive sampling was used to recruit six key health professionals for interviews. Data from the first-time mothers were collected using structured questionnaires, while interview data were gathered from the health professionals. The study was conducted in three selected hospitals located in the Ilala, Temeke and Kinondoni districts of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Findings The findings of this study indicate that first-time mothers primarily need information related to nutrition and diet. Caesarean delivery was found to be statistically significantly influenced by the respondent’s marital status, education level and type of hospital, average monthly income and gestational age. In addition, age category, household size and hospital type had a significant positive influence on access to health information. Research limitations/implications This paper provides practical recommendations for understanding the health information needs of first-time mothers and for formulating programs and strategies to improve the sharing and accessibility of health information. Practical implications The study findings can help health care providers and policymakers improve the delivery of maternal health information for first-time mothers in Dar es Salaam. Identifying information needs and access barriers can support better antenatal and postnatal education. The results may also inform community-based and digital health interventions to enhance informed decision-making and maternal-child health outcomes. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is limited existing research specifically focused on identifying the health information needs and accessibility challenges faced by first-time mothers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This study fills that gap by providing context-specific insights that can inform targeted interventions, improve maternal health services and guide future research in similar urban settings.