BackgroundTanzania adopted Intermittent-preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) policy in 2000; the guidelines at the time of the study recommended the timing of the first dose of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) (IPTp-SP) at 20–24 weeks and the timing of the second dose at 28–32 weeks. The aim of this study was to identify factors that are responsible for the uptake of IPTp among pregnant Tanzanian women. Further, this study aims to justify the need for appropriate interventions that would strengthen the Tanzanian IPTp program towards the realization of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) targets.MethodsData were analyzed from the 2011–2012 Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicators Survey (THMIS) of 1,616 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the 2 years prior to the survey and received antenatal care (ANC) services.ResultsLogistic regression analysis results showed that (1) being in the age groups 30–34 and 35–39 versus other age groups and being married or living with partner versus those who reported as never married or divorced/separated were associated with high uptake of IPTp; (2) women pregnant with their first or second child versus those who already have had two or more children had higher odds of completing the recommended number of IPTp dosage; and (3) being a resident from the Eastern Zone versus Lake Zone as well as having the first antenatal visit in the first or second trimester versus third trimester were associated with higher uptake of IPTp.ConclusionApplying these results could contribute to positive social change by helping providers, clinics, and organizations seeking to increase IPTp uptake among ANC attendees and providing health education programs to women, especially those residing in rural areas. This study could also help achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 6 (combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases).

BackgroundMaternal mortality rates vary significantly from region to region. Interventions such as early and planned antenatal care attendance and facility delivery with skilled health workers can potentially reduce maternal mortality rates. Several factors can be attributed to antenatal care attendance, or lack thereof, including the cost of health care services. The aim of this study was to examine the role of health insurance coverage in utilization of maternal health services in Tanzania.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted on the nationally representative sample of men and women aged 15–49 years using the 2011/12 Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey. It included 4513 women who had one or more live births within three years before the survey. The independent variable was health insurance coverage. Outcome variables included proper timing of the first antenatal care visit, completing the recommended number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, and giving birth under skilled worker. Data were analyzed both descriptively and using regression analyses to examine independent association of health insurance and maternal health services.ResultsOf 4513 women, only 281 (6.2%) had health insurance. Among all participants, only 16.9%, 7.1%, and 56.5%, respectively, made their first ANC visit as per recommendation, completed the recommended number of ANC visits, and had skilled birth assistance at delivery. A higher proportion of women with health insurance had a proper timing of 1st ANC attendance compared to their counterparts (27.0% vs. 16.0%, p < 0.001). Similar trend was for skilled birth attendance (77.6% vs. 55.1%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for other confounders and covariates, having health insurance was associated with proper timing of 1st ANC attendance (AOR = 1.89, p < 0.001) and skilled birth attendance (AOR = 2.01, p < 0.01).ConclusionsHealth insurance coverage and maternal health services were low in this nationally representative sample in Tanzania. Women covered by health insurance were more likely to have proper timing of the first antenatal visit and receive skilled birth assistance at delivery. To improve maternal health, health insurance alone is however not enough. It is important to improve other pillars of health system to attain and sustain better maternal health in Tanzania and areas with similar contexts.