Implementing AI-based Disease Modelling in Tanzania's Healthcare Sector: Experts' Insights into Awareness, Barriers, and Perceived Impacts

Authors

Bernard Mussa, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Zaituni Kaijage, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

James Chambua, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Hellen Maziku, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Honest Kimaro, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Jens Kaasboll, University of Oslo, Norway

Published in

IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings

ISSN: 2576-8581

ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.DFPV6710

Publisher

IST-Africa Institute and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd

Published in Ireland

Abstract

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital health technologies in developing countries are anticipated to substantially transform approaches to disease modelling and public health surveillance. Despite this growing technological landscape, the adoption of AI-based modelling tools in settings such as Tanzania remains limited. This study examined the level of awareness, perceived barriers, and anticipated impacts associated with implementing AI-based disease modelling tools among experts within Tanzania's health sector. Using an online questionnaire, data were collected from 107 experts. The findings indicate that although general awareness of AI is relatively high, effective adoption is constrained by technological limitations, inadequate digital infrastructure, and shortages of skilled personnel. Participants identified priority disease including malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis as key areas where modelling could enhance surveillance and intervention planning. Overall, AI-based disease modelling holds significant potential to strengthen disease control efforts by improving epidemic forecasting, evaluating intervention effectiveness, and enabling early outbreak detection.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, Disease Modelling, healthcare, machine learning, prediction

Cite this paper

B. Mussa, Z. Kaijage, J. Chambua, H. Maziku, H. Kimaro, J. Kaasboll and S. Kiware (2026) "Implementing AI-based Disease Modelling in Tanzania's Healthcare Sector: Experts' Insights into Awareness, Barriers, and Perceived Impact", IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings, Miriam Cunningham and Paul Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2026, ISSN: 2576-8581, ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2, https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.DFPV6710

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