Conference abstract
2016 - 2021 mapping of maternal and newborn health interventions in Tanzania Mainland
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(55).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.55.2385
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, health interventions, Tanzania, community health workers, emergency obstetric care
Oral presentation
2016 - 2021 mapping of maternal and newborn health interventions in Tanzania Mainland
Anyoti Vanessa1,&, Sanga Catherine1, Kwezi Hilda1, Sengeo Neema1, Njaku Sheila1, Makuwani Ahmad2, Ismail Habibu2, Sospeter Phineas2, Mbinda Mathia2, Mageda Kihulya3, Gibbe Emmanuel4, Balira Rebecca5, Matungwa Dunstan5, Mchome Zaina5
1Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), Tanzania, 2Ministry of Health (MoH), Tanzania, 3President Office -Regional Administration, Local Administration (PO-RALG), Tanzania, 4Tabora Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania, 5National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Mwanza Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Tanzania faces significant challenges with pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are leading causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age. Despite efforts to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality, there has been no comprehensive documentation of interventions and their impacts. A national mapping of interventions addressing maternal and newborn deaths was conducted to fill this gap.
Methods: the mapping covered 184 councils across 26 regions of Mainland Tanzania from January 2016 to June 2021. Data collection involved an online questionnaire completed by Reproductive and Child Health Coordinators and MNCH Implementing Partners. Descriptive statistics and proportions were analyzed using Stata version 15, and qualitative data followed a deductive approach.
Results: out of 8,341 health facilities, 72.9% were government-owned, with 86.0% offering Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) services. Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) services were available in 53.7% of dispensaries and 69.5% of health centers. Approximately 63.0% of councils had at least one Community Health Worker (CHW) per village/street. From 8,789,714 deliveries, there were 87,136 stillbirths, 8,320 maternal deaths, and 44,393 neonatal deaths reported. The primary causes of these deaths were obstetric hemorrhage for mothers and birth asphyxia for newborns. Most interventions targeted delays in receiving care at health facilities.
Conclusion: the focus of maternal and neonatal health (MNH) interventions has predominantly been on addressing delays in receiving care at health facilities. There is a crucial need to enhance community interventions targeting delays in the decision to seek care, including combating negative cultural norms and harmful practices. Scaling up effective MNH interventions, expanding CHW coverage, and improving health information data availability are essential steps toward reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Tanzania.
2016 - 2021 mapping of maternal and newborn health interventions in Tanzania Mainland
Anyoti Vanessa1,&, Sanga Catherine1, Kwezi Hilda1, Sengeo Neema1, Njaku Sheila1, Makuwani Ahmad2, Ismail Habibu2, Sospeter Phineas2, Mbinda Mathia2, Mageda Kihulya3, Gibbe Emmanuel4, Balira Rebecca5, Matungwa Dunstan5, Mchome Zaina5
1Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), Tanzania, 2Ministry of Health (MoH), Tanzania, 3President Office -Regional Administration, Local Administration (PO-RALG), Tanzania, 4Tabora Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania, 5National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Mwanza Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Tanzania faces significant challenges with pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are leading causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age. Despite efforts to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality, there has been no comprehensive documentation of interventions and their impacts. A national mapping of interventions addressing maternal and newborn deaths was conducted to fill this gap.
Methods: the mapping covered 184 councils across 26 regions of Mainland Tanzania from January 2016 to June 2021. Data collection involved an online questionnaire completed by Reproductive and Child Health Coordinators and MNCH Implementing Partners. Descriptive statistics and proportions were analyzed using Stata version 15, and qualitative data followed a deductive approach.
Results: out of 8,341 health facilities, 72.9% were government-owned, with 86.0% offering Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) services. Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) services were available in 53.7% of dispensaries and 69.5% of health centers. Approximately 63.0% of councils had at least one Community Health Worker (CHW) per village/street. From 8,789,714 deliveries, there were 87,136 stillbirths, 8,320 maternal deaths, and 44,393 neonatal deaths reported. The primary causes of these deaths were obstetric hemorrhage for mothers and birth asphyxia for newborns. Most interventions targeted delays in receiving care at health facilities.
Conclusion: the focus of maternal and neonatal health (MNH) interventions has predominantly been on addressing delays in receiving care at health facilities. There is a crucial need to enhance community interventions targeting delays in the decision to seek care, including combating negative cultural norms and harmful practices. Scaling up effective MNH interventions, expanding CHW coverage, and improving health information data availability are essential steps toward reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Tanzania.
