Functionality aspects on indicators of public health : A study on access to infrastructural services by a group of female-headed household in Vingunguti, Dar es Saalam

A public health case study in the informal settlement of Vingunguti, Dar es Salaam, organised for a small group of female household-heads to document aspects of the infrastructural services with the help of photo eliciting and compared this to the results of a traditional socio-economic survey, previously implemented in the area. It is argued that, in the case of Vinguguti, major problems concerning infrastructure such as the sewage dam and the function of services, could not be properly described by traditional indicators. The study showed that there is a need for an increased focus on functionality and accessibility, dimensions not covered by indicators commonly utilised.