Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Checkup During Pregnancy Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania; An Analysis of Data from the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy (HDP) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity amongst pregnant women in the world. Blood pressure checkups during pregnancy are on of strategies to identify hypertensive disorders and hence timely management. Little is known on factors associated with blood pressure checkups in Tanzania.Method: The study used data from the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey (2015-16 TDHS-MIS). A total of 6924women of active reproductive age from 15 to 49 were included in the analysis. Both univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association between early antenatal booking and maternal services utilization.Results: A total of 4997(72.17%) of interviewed women were checked for blood pressure at least once. After adjusted for the confounders, factors which influenced uptake of blood pressure checkups during pregnancy were timing for antenatal booking within first 12 weeks, AOR=1.496 at 95% CI= 1.297-1.726, p<0.001, age group [ more than 34 years, (AOR=1.518 at 95% CI=1.149-2.006,p=0.003)], wealth index [ middle income, (AOR=1.215 at 95% CI=1.053-1.468, p=0.008) and rich, (AOR=2.270 at 95% CI=1.907-2.702, p<0.001)] reference population being poor; education level [ primary education, (AOR=1.275 at 95%CI=1.107-1.468, p=0.001); secondary, (AOR=2.163 at 95% CI=1.688-2.774, p<0.001) and higher, (AOR= 9.929 at 95%CI=1.355-72.76, p=0.024)] reference population being no formal education; parity[para 2-4, (AOR=1.190 at 95% CI=1.003-1.412, p=0.046) and zones [Unguja Island, (AOR=3.934 at 95% CI=1.568-9.871, p=0.004) and Pemba Island, (AOR=5.308 at 95%CI=1.808-15.58, p=0.002)] Mainland urban being the reference populationConclusion: Blood pressure checkups during pregnancy offer the opportunity for early detection timely management of HDP. The study revealed that rural dwelling pregnant women had higher chance not to get their BP checked. It was also revealed that maternal age, education level, place of residence, wealth index and timing of ANC services significantly associated with blood pressure check-ups. The study identifies the need to explore significant factors associated with utilization of the available free reproductive health services across all public health facilities and to address prioritized intensive awareness programs and behavioral change interventions on the significance of BP checkups among pregnant women of reproductive age.