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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
The quality of antenatal care in rural Tanzania: what is behind the number of visits?
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Volume 12, Article 70, Year 2012
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Description
Background: Antenatal care (ANC) provides an important opportunity for pregnant women with a wide range of interventions and is considered as an important basic component of reproductive health care.Methods: In 2008, severe maternal morbidity audit was established at Saint Francis Designated District Hospital (SFDDH), in Kilombero district in Tanzania, to ascertain substandard care and implement interventions. In addition, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 11 health facilities within the district to assess the quality of ANC and underlying factors in a broader view.Results: Of 363 severe maternal morbidities audited, only 263 (72%) ANC cards were identified. Additionally, 121 cards (with 299 ANC visits) from 11 facilities were also reviewed. Hemoglobin and urine albumin were assessed in 22% - 37% and blood pressure in 69% - 87% of all visits. Fifty two (20%) severe maternal morbidities were attributed to substandard ANC, of these 39 had severe anemia and eclampsia combined. Substandard ANC was mainly attributed to shortage of staff, equipment and consumables. There was no significant relationship between assessment of essential parameters at first ANC visit and total number of visits made (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = 0.09; p = 0.13). Several interventions were implemented and others were proposed to those in control of the health system.Conclusions: This article reflects a worrisome state of substandard ANC in rural Tanzania resulting from inadequate human workforce and material resources for maternal health, and its adverse impacts on maternal wellbeing. These results suggest urgent response from those in control of the health system to invest more resources to avert the situation in order to enhance maternal health in this country. © 2012 Nyamtema et al.;.
Authors & Co-Authors
Nyamtema, Angelo Sadock
Tanzania, Ifakara
St. Francis Referral Hospital
Jong, Alise B.
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Amsterdam Umc - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Urassa, David P.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Hagen, Jaap P.
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
van Roosmalen, Jos J.M.
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Amsterdam Umc - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Statistics
Citations: 95
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1471-2393-12-70
e-ISSN:
14712393
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Noncommunicable Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Tanzania
Participants Gender
Female