Tanzania Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) 2024
Tanzania, 2024
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Reference ID
TZA-NBS-VACS-2024-v01
Producer(s)
National Bureau of Statistics, Office of the Chief Government Statistician
Metadata
Created on
Aug 25, 2026
Last modified
Aug 25, 2026
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Identification
Survey ID Number
TZA-NBS-VACS-2024-v01
Title
Tanzania Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) 2024
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| United Republic of Tanzania | TZA |
Study type
Other Household Health Survey [hh/hea]
Series Information
This survey builds upon a previous VACS conducted in 2009. The 2024 Tanzania Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) is a nationally representative household survey measuring the prevalence, nature, and consequences of violence against children and yout
Abstract
The Tanzania 2024 Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) was a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey of children and youth ages 13–24 years. The survey was designed to produce national estimates of experiences of physical, sexual, and emotional violence in childhood. The survey included a randomly selected, representative subset of the population, at one specific point in time, providing estimates of violence indicators by age group, sex, and other demographic factors. All data were collected through an in-person interview with trained interviewers. The survey also included an HIV testing component. The objectives of the Tanzania 2024 VACS were to:
- Estimate the national prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence in childhood and young adulthood.
- Identify risk and protective factors for physical, emotional and sexual violence against children and youth in Tanzania to inform stakeholders and guide prevention efforts.
- Identify the health and social correlates of violence against children and youth in Tanzania.
- Assess the knowledge and utilization of medical, psychosocial, legal, and protective services available for children and youth who have experienced violence.
- Make recommendations to relevant ministries in Tanzania, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders on developing, improving, and enhancing prevention and response strategies to address violence against children and youth as part of a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to child protection.
- Identify areas for future research.
- Estimate the national prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence in childhood and young adulthood.
- Identify risk and protective factors for physical, emotional and sexual violence against children and youth in Tanzania to inform stakeholders and guide prevention efforts.
- Identify the health and social correlates of violence against children and youth in Tanzania.
- Assess the knowledge and utilization of medical, psychosocial, legal, and protective services available for children and youth who have experienced violence.
- Make recommendations to relevant ministries in Tanzania, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders on developing, improving, and enhancing prevention and response strategies to address violence against children and youth as part of a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to child protection.
- Identify areas for future research.
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
Households and Individuals
Version
Version Description
v1.0: Final dataset for public use .
Version Date
2025-09-01
Scope
Notes
The VACS questionnaires included a short head-of household survey and a comprehensive participant questionnaire, with separate male and female versions. Key topics included demographics, violence experiences, sexual behavior, HIV service history, and modules on disability, forced marriage, and technology-facilitated violence.
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage
Universe
The Tanzania 2024 Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) was a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey of children and youth ages 13–24 years. The survey was designed to produce national estimates of experiences of physical, sexual, and emotional violence in childhood.
Data were collected from participants ages 13–24 and the head of household.
Data were collected from participants ages 13–24 and the head of household.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| National Bureau of Statistics | The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania |
| Office of the Chief Government Statistician | The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar |
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups in Tanzania Mainland | Governmant of Tanzania | Technical assistance |
| Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar | Governmant of Tanzania | Technical assistance |
| Tanzania Health Promotion Support | Technical assistance | |
| United Nations Children’s Fund | Technical assistance | |
| U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Technical assistance | |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Tanzania | GoT | Fnancial assistance |
| The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief | PEPFAR | Fnancial assistance |
Other Identifications/Acknowledgments
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Ministries of Health | MoH | Technical support |
| National Institute for Medical Research | NIMR | Technical support |
| Zanzibar Health Research Institute | ZAHRI | Technical support |
| President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government | PO-RALG | Technical support |
| President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government and Special Department in Zanzibar | PO-RALGSD | Technical support |
| National Public Health Laboratory | NPHL | Technical support |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
The Tanzania 2024 VACS used the Tanzania 2022 Tanzania Population and Housing Census. This sample frame was developed and maintained by the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Office of Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) . The survey used a three-stage cluster sampling design. Separate primary sampling units (PSUs) were randomly assigned as male or female enumeration areas (EAs). The Tanzania VACS used a split sample approach, such that the survey for females was conducted in different communities than the survey for males. This approach was to protect the confidentiality of participants by reducing the chance that opposite sex perpetrators and victims will be interviewed in the same community, discover the purpose of the study, and possibly retaliate against participants
The Tanzania VACS used a three-stage sample design:
Stage 1: A total of 500 EAs (369 female EAs and 131 males EAs) were selected from 104,483 EAs in the country using probability proportional to size based on 2022 census and household counts.
Stage 2: 25 households were randomly selected from each of the 500 EAs.
Stage 3: One eligible 13–24-year-old participant was selected from each household. An eligible male or female was selected depending on whether it was a male EA or a female EA
The Tanzania VACS used a three-stage sample design:
Stage 1: A total of 500 EAs (369 female EAs and 131 males EAs) were selected from 104,483 EAs in the country using probability proportional to size based on 2022 census and household counts.
Stage 2: 25 households were randomly selected from each of the 500 EAs.
Stage 3: One eligible 13–24-year-old participant was selected from each household. An eligible male or female was selected depending on whether it was a male EA or a female EA
Response Rate
The Overall Response Rate for Heads of Household = Household Listing Response Rate (99.1) x the Heads of Household Response Rate (99.8) = 98.1%
Weighting
To analyze the 2024 Tanzania VACS, a survey weight was calculated for each record. The survey had a nested sampling design where samples were designated as national or regional for the four oversampled regions. However, CDC and its Tanzanian partners agreed to take the entire sample to calculate the national weights instead of separate calculations. They weighted the data to obtain parameters that were representative of the total population of Tanzania children and youth aged 13–24 years old.
A three-step weighting procedure was incorporated:
Step 1: Computation of base weight for each sampled participant;
Step 2: Adjustment of the base weights for differential non-response in the sample; and
Step 3: Calibration of the post-stratification (adjusted) weights to known population totals.
A three-step weighting procedure was incorporated:
Step 1: Computation of base weight for each sampled participant;
Step 2: Adjustment of the base weights for differential non-response in the sample; and
Step 3: Calibration of the post-stratification (adjusted) weights to known population totals.
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2024-03-01 | 2024-06-30 |
Data Collection Mode
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]
Supervision
Team leaders were identified to provide direct supervision of the overall survey implementation. They did not directly participate in the interview process but oversaw a team of three interviewers throughout the data collection period. The regional oversight role was provided by field supervisors, HTS supervisors, and community engagement officers who were hired by THPS and deployed across Tanzania. The role of field 18 | TANZANIA VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND YOUTH SURVEY (VACS) 2024 supervisors was to provide quality assurance and administrative support during fieldwork; HTS supervisors were to provide quality assurance of HIV testing; and community engagement officers oversaw engagement with local
communities.
communities.
Data Collection Notes
Data collection was conducted between March 2024 and June 2024. Data collection was done electronically using the Open Data Kit (ODK) program, installed on data collection tablets running on the Android operating system. Data collection was conducted by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire via face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) with selected eligible participants. Before data collection began, a field pre-test was conducted. To ensure privacy during the study, interviewers were trained to conduct interviews in safe and secure locations to maximize disclosure and ensure confidentiality. If the privacy of a participant could not be ensured, interviewers were instructed to reschedule the interview. The initial visit record form of the survey tool had a section that allowed the survey team to track incomplete interviews and interviews that needed to be rescheduled. Field teams were trained to make three attempts to reach every sampled household. After three unsuccessful attempts, the selected household was considered as a non-response and was not replaced with another household.
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | NBS | MINISTRY OF FINANCE |
| OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN | OCGS | PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - FINANCE AND PLANNING |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
The VACS questionnaires included a short head-of household survey and a comprehensive participant questionnaire, with separate male and female versions. Key
topics included demographics, violence experiences, sexual behavior, HIV service history, and modules on disability, forced marriage, and technology-facilitated violence.
topics included demographics, violence experiences, sexual behavior, HIV service history, and modules on disability, forced marriage, and technology-facilitated violence.
Data Processing
Data Editing
Data processing involved various activities which included: - Receiving data electronically from the enumerators tablet to the centrallized server. Computer editing using logics built in the CAPI applications; Data analysis and tabulation using Statistical Package R.
Other Processing
The details is on the attached Tanzania Data User Guide
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Research and Standards | National Bureau of Statistics | mariam.kitembe@nbs.go.tz | Link |
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of respondents is guaranteed by The Statistics Act, [Cap 351 R.E 2019] Before being granted access to the dataset, all users have formally agreed: 1. All identifying information such as the name and address of respondent has been removed; 2. The information is disclosed in a manner that is not likely to enable the identification of the particular person or undertaking or business to which it relates. 3. Not attempt to identify any particular person or undertaking or business; 4. Use of information for research or statistically purpose only; 5. Not to disclose the information to any other person, organization 6. When required by the Statistician General , return all documents made available to him to the Statistician General ; 7. Comply with the directions given by the Statistician General relating to the records. 8. Every person involved in the research or statistical project for which information is disclosed pursuant to this section shall make the declaration of secrecy set out in the first schedule.
Access conditions
Tanzania NBS considered three levels of accessibility:
Public use files, accessible by all
Licensed datasets, accessible under certain conditions
Datasets only accessible on location, for certain datasets
The dataset has been anonymized and available as a public use dataset. It accessible to all for statistical and research purposes only, under the following terms and conditions:
The data and other material will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organization without the written agreement of the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics.
The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
No attempt will be made to produce links among dataset provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, or among data from the (National Bureau of Statistics) and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identify of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently. Any such discovery would immediately be reported to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
Public use files, accessible by all
Licensed datasets, accessible under certain conditions
Datasets only accessible on location, for certain datasets
The dataset has been anonymized and available as a public use dataset. It accessible to all for statistical and research purposes only, under the following terms and conditions:
The data and other material will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organization without the written agreement of the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics.
The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
No attempt will be made to produce links among dataset provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, or among data from the (National Bureau of Statistics) and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identify of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently. Any such discovery would immediately be reported to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
Citation requirements
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) [Tanzania] 2025. Tanzania Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) 2024, Dodoma, Tanzania
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistician General National Bureau of Statistics | www.nbs.go.tz | sg@nbs.go.tz | www.nbs.go.tz |
| Office of the Chief Government Statistician | www.ocgs.go.tz | www.ocgs.go.tz | zanstat@ocgs.go.tz |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data should acknowledge that, Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics is the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences without a written agreement from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Copyright
(c) 2025, National Bureau of Statistics
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-TZA-NBS-VACS2024-V1.0
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Bureau of Statistics | NBS | Ministry of Finance | Metadata Producer |
| Office of the Chief Government Statistician Zanzibar | OCGS | President Office- Finance and Planning | Metadata Producer |
Date of Metadata Production
2025-12-28
DDI Document version
Version 0.1(December 2025)