Journal Articles

Assessing the Consistency of Antenatal Care Visits, Their Determinants, and Health Outcomes Among Post‐Natal Women Admitted in Maternity Wards in Selected Health Facilities in Ifakara Town: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing the Consistency of Antenatal Care Visits, Their Determinants, and Health Outcomes Among Post‐Natal Women Admitted in Maternity Wards in Selected Health Facilities in Ifakara Town: A Cross‐Sectional Study Ngombe, Veronica; Edward, Majani; Kitema, Ally; Kalolo, Albino Introduction: Consistent antenatal care (ANC) attendance is crucial for positive maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet inconsistencies remain a concern in low‐resource settings with limited research on determinants and outcomes of ANC visit consistency. This study aimed to determine the proportion of consistent ANC attendance (≥ 4 visits), their determinants, and maternal and neonatal outcomes among postnatal women in Ifakara Town, Tanzania. Methodology: An analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted between August and September 2024, enrolling 396 postnatal women within 7 days of delivery at St. Francis Referral Hospital and Kibaoni Health Center. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and a structured checklist that collected information from the Reproductive and Child Health cards. Data analysis involved Chi‐square tests and multivariable logistic regression using SPSS version 26. The level of significance was set at a p‐value below 0.05. Results: Good ANC consistency (≥ 4 visits) was observed in 66.2% of participants. Adjusted analysis showed women < 23 years had higher odds of consistency (aOR = 2.732, p = 0.01) than those > 30 years. Health insurance was associated with greater consistency compared to out‐of‐pocket payment (bivariate p = 0.009; aOR = 2.434). A positive provider relationship also predicted consistency (aOR = 0.278, p < 0.001). While a higher proportion of women with maternal complications had consistent ANC (77.61% vs. 63.83%, bivariate p = 0.03), logistic regression indicated lower odds of complications with < 4 visits (OR = 0.509, p = 0.03). No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were linked to ANC consistency. Conclusion: ANC consistency was acceptably high. Younger age, health insurance, and positive provider relationships significantly influenced consistent ANC attendance. The maternal complication finding suggests consistent ANC might be reactive, but overall reduces risk. Future efforts should address financial barriers, promote respectful care, and further explore ANC's complex link with maternal complications prospectively.

Career Path Decisions and Influencing Factors Among Medical Students in Tanzania

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Career Path Decisions and Influencing Factors Among Medical Students in Tanzania Mugeta, Phillip; Edward, Majani; Pemba, Senga Introduction: Career path decisions among medical students are crucial for strengthening health systems, particularly in Tanzania, where physician shortages persist despite increasing medical graduate numbers. While many studies have focused on specialty preferences, few have examined whether students nearing graduation intend to remain in clinical medicine. In Tanzania, this decision is shaped by intrinsic motivation, poor learning environments, limited job opportunities, and systemic challenges. This study assesses the proportion of students intending to remain in the profession and identifies key influencing factors. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 292 medical students from Tanzanian medical universities between September and December 2024. Stratified random sampling was employed. Data were collected through an online structured questionnaire. Variables included demographics, initial motivations, and theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Results: Of the participants, most were male (64.0%) and those aged 21–25 years old (77.7%). Precisely, 64.7% intended to remain in the medical profession, while 35.3% considered alternative careers. Intrinsic motivations such as a desire to help others (odds ratio [OR]=2.90, p < .001) and personal interest (OR =1.99, p=.016), along with perceived behavioral control (OR=2.26, p=.005), were significant predictors. No significant associations were observed with demographic variables. Conclusion: A significant portion of final-year medical students in Tanzania (over one-third) consider leaving the clinical field. This underscores the critical role of intrinsic motivation and perceived behavioral control in shaping career intentions. To enhance the retention of medical professionals, stakeholders should prioritize strategies that strengthen intrinsic drivers, reinforce self-efficacy, and improve supportive training environments.

Trends and Determinants of Skilled Birth Attendants' use among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania: Evidence from the 2004/05–2022 Demographic Health Surveys

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Trends and Determinants of Skilled Birth Attendants' use among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania: Evidence from the 2004/05–2022 Demographic Health Surveys Tibenderana, Jovin; Kessy, Sanun; Majengo, Victoria; Oguma, Erick; Mwalingo, Tegemea; Bago, Mussa; Kessy, Immaculata; Stephano, Elihuruma; Nyundo, Azan; Mtoro, Mtoro Background Skilled birth attendants (SBAs) are vital for reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, yet their use remains below national and global targets, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Tanzania. This study aimed to assess trends and determinants of SBA use among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Tanzania. Methods This was an analytical cross-sectional study among WRA in Tanzania, using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) 2004/05, 2010, 2015/16, and 2022. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 18. Analysis considered the complex survey design through the application of weights, clustering, and strata. Modified Poisson regression models estimated the determinants associated with SBA use among WRA. Results were presented using adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) with a 95% confidence interval. Results The study found an increased proportion of SBA use among WRA trends from 57.24% (2004/05) to 84.76% (2022), with the Dar es Salaam region showing higher SBA use of 86.6% in 2022. Residing in rural (APR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99), secondary/higher education (APR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.15), being rich (APR=1.07, 95% CI:1.02, 1.13), 2+birth order (APR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.93), distance to health facility not big problem(APR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.12),≥4 ANC contacts (APR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.17), and partners with secondary/ higher education (APR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.23) were the determinants found significantly associated with SBA use. Conclusion Despite the upward trend, SBA use remains below the 2025 national target.. Interventions should prioritize improving access to maternal services in rural areas, expanding women’s and partners’ education, strengthening ANC uptake, and addressing financial barriers. These strategies are critical to close the coverage gap and ensure equitable skilled care during childbirth.

Community Beliefs Towards the Safety of Biomedical Child Birth Services: A Case of Simanjiro, Tanzania

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Community Beliefs Towards the Safety of Biomedical Child Birth Services: A Case of Simanjiro, Tanzania Mashanya, Titus; Myumbo, Ludovick; Rwegoshora, Hossea Introduction: Despite of the criticism from biomedical researchers regarding the effectiveness of traditional childbirth services and the ongoing efforts to promote biomedical childbirth services, many women in Simanjiro Tanzania continue to give birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants. Given that Simanjiro is a predominantly traditional pastoralist community, the continued preference for traditional childbirth services raises interest in understanding community beliefs about the safety of biomedical childbirth services compared to traditional practices. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the beliefs of the Simanjiro community towards the safety of biomedical child birth services compared to traditional child birth services. Methods: A qualitative, cross-sectional study guided by the constructivist paradigm was conducted within the particular community (Simanjiro District, Manyara Tanzania), from July to August 2025. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving women, men, traditional birth attendants, and community health workers as the study participants in order to capture diverse perspectives. Data analysis was carried out thematically using NVivo Version 15 software. Key Findings: Traditional child birth services were widely perceived as safe and reliable for normal child deliveries, while biomedical child birth services were considered necessary mainly for emergencies. Trust in perceived spiritual power of the traditional birth attendants, cultural taboos surrounding women’s privacy, fears of harmful spiritual influences in hospital settings, and adherence to traditional dietary practices reinforced confidence in traditional child birth services. Conclusions: While traditional child birth services are considered to be safe, reliance on them perceived to delay access to skilled biomedical care during complications, posing risks to maternal and newborn health. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need for further research seeking how to integrate traditional and biomedical care, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and enhancing the perceived safety of biomedical child birth services.