Utilization of Antenatal and Delivery Health Care Services Among Women in Mpanda District a Case of Kashaulili Ward
CHAPETER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Globally, an estimated 585,000 maternal deaths occur annually, with over 99% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. It is barely five years to the target for the attainment of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, which seeks to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three fourths, compared to the 1990 level.
Qualified antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, access to emergency obstetric care and neonatal resuscitation skills are vital components to substantially reduce maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality in developing countries. The level of skilled birth attendance varies markedly among and within regions and countries, being well below 50% in many countries in South-East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although official nation-wide figures may show high coverage rates, this picture can be misleading. Typically, rates of skilled attendance are lower in rural than in urban areas This situation applies to Tanzania where in 2004/2005 the average rate of skilled attendance was as high as 81% in urban areas and as low as 39% in rural, remote districts (DHS 2004/2005). Even within rural regions, marked differences may exist which can be related to cultural norms, socioeconomic circumstances, accessibility of health institutions and service provision. In the case of nomadic populations, it is even more difficult to provide health services, including obstetric care with skilled birth attendance.
In Tanzania the majority of women are making the recommended number of antenatal care visit more than eight in ten women are making their first visit later than recommended. 95% of pregnant women make at least one antenatal care visit, while only 62% make four or more visit. Moreover 47% of women attending antenatal visits recall having been informed related dangerous complication Andrea et al.( 2010)
In Tanzania, like other Sub Saharan Africa countries, maternal mortality
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Globally, an estimated 585,000 maternal deaths occur annually, with over 99% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. It is barely five years to the target for the attainment of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, which seeks to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three fourths, compared to the 1990 level.
Qualified antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, access to emergency obstetric care and neonatal resuscitation skills are vital components to substantially reduce maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality in developing countries. The level of skilled birth attendance varies markedly among and within regions and countries, being well below 50% in many countries in South-East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although official nation-wide figures may show high coverage rates, this picture can be misleading. Typically, rates of skilled attendance are lower in rural than in urban areas This situation applies to Tanzania where in 2004/2005 the average rate of skilled attendance was as high as 81% in urban areas and as low as 39% in rural, remote districts (DHS 2004/2005). Even within rural regions, marked differences may exist which can be related to cultural norms, socioeconomic circumstances, accessibility of health institutions and service provision. In the case of nomadic populations, it is even more difficult to provide health services, including obstetric care with skilled birth attendance.
In Tanzania the majority of women are making the recommended number of antenatal care visit more than eight in ten women are making their first visit later than recommended. 95% of pregnant women make at least one antenatal care visit, while only 62% make four or more visit. Moreover 47% of women attending antenatal visits recall having been informed related dangerous complication Andrea et al.( 2010)
In Tanzania, like other Sub Saharan Africa countries, maternal mortality