BackgroundUnacceptably high maternal and perinatal mortality remain a major challenge in many low income countries. Early detection and management of danger signs through improved access to maternal services is highly needed for better maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an interactive mobile messaging alert system on improving knowledge on danger signs, birth preparedness and complication readiness practices among pregnant women in Dodoma region, Tanzania.MethodsA controlled quasi experimental study of 450 randomly selected pregnant women attending antenatal care was carried in Dodoma municipal. Participants were recruited at less than 20 weeks of gestation during the first visit where 150 were assigned to the intervention and 300 to the control group. The intervention groups was enrolled in an interactive mobile messaging system and received health education messages and were also able to send and receive individualized responses on a need basis. The control group continued receiving usual antenatal care services offered at the ANC centers. Pregnant women were followed from their initial visit to the point of delivery. Level of knowledge on danger signs and birth preparedness were assessed at baseline and a post test was again given after delivery for both groups. Analyses of covariance, linear regression were employed to test the effectiveness of the intervention.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 25.6 years ranging from 16 to 48 years. There was significant mean scores differences for both knowleadge and birth preparedness between the intervention and the control group after the intervention (p < .001). The mean knowleadge score was (M = 9.531,SD = 2.666 in the intervention compared to M = 6.518,SD = 4.304 in the control, equivalent to an effect size of 85% of the intervention. Meanwhile, the mean score for IBPACR was M = 4.165,SD = 1.365 for the intervention compared to M = 2.631,SD = 1.775 in the control group with an effect size of 90% A multivariate linear regression showed a positive association between the intervention (p < 0.001) and level of knowledge (B = 2.910,95%CI = 2.199–3.621) and birth preparediness (B = 1.463,95%CI = 1.185–1.740).ConclusionThe Interactive mobile messaging alert system demonstrated to be effective in increasing women’s knowledge on danger signs and improving their birth preparedness practices.

Antenatal care (ANC) is considered a cornerstone of reproductive health programmes, but many women face difficulties in accessing these services, particularly in some sub-Saharan African countries, such as Tanzania. This study aimed to test ANC visit acceptability using mHealth system PANDA (Pregnancy And Newborn Diagnostic Assessment) in the Mufindi district (Tanzania). We investigated the ANC visit acceptability of pregnant women and healthcare workers (HCWs) in an intervention area using the PANDA system compared with a control area. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to pregnant women in an implementation area (n = 52) and in a control area (n = 46). In the implementation area, group interviews with 50 pregnant women were conducted and five HCWs evaluated ANC visits through a questionnaire. The implementation group was significantly more satisfied with the ANC visit compared with the control group. All the 52 women and the HCWs declared that PANDA icons were useful in understanding and remembering the provided information and the PANDA app was able to improve the ANC quality and to positively influence the relationship of HCWs and pregnant women. HCWs reported that the PANDA app was “easy-to-use” and “able to improve the adherence to ANC WHO recommendations”. In underserved areas, many pregnant women could benefit from the PANDA system increasing their access to high-quality ANC and overcoming language and/or literacy barriers.

Background: Unacceptable high maternal mortality rates remain a major challenge in many low-income countries. Early detection and management of antenatal risk factors and good preparation for birth and emergencies are critical for improved maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to understand the pattern and level of knowledge on obstetric and newborn danger signs, Individual Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (IBPACR) among pregnant women in Dodoma Municipal. Methods: A quantitative cross sectional study was carried out between February and June 2018. A random selection of participants was employed to achieve a sample size of 450 pregnant women. A standard semi-structure questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive analysis was carried out by using SPSS software to see the pattern and level of knowledge on obstetric danger signs and individual birth preparedness. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.6 years ranging from 16 to 48 years and majority 326 (72.4%) had 2 to 4 pregnancies. Only 203(45.1%) of the pregnant women were able to tell 8 and above danger signs with at least 1 from each of the 4 phases, with the most known obstetric danger signs being vagina bleeding during pregnancy 287(63.8), labour and delivery 234(52.0%), after delivery 278 (61.8). 164 (36.4%) of the participants reported fever and difficult in feeding 182 (40.4%) as danger signs in newborn. Furthermore, only 75(16.7%) of the participants reported to be prepared for birth and complications. The most known component of birth preparedness was preparing important supply which are needed during birth 283 (62.9%). Conclusion: Results of this study showed a low level of knowledge on obstetric and newborn danger signs as well as poor individual birth preparedness and complication readiness. Important predictors of knowledge level and birth preparedness were found to be age, education level, gestation age at first visit and husband involvement in Antenatal visit and care. Peer Reviewed Funding: This study was funded the University of Dodoma.

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Africa is the home to over 90% of malaria burden when compared to other regions of the world. The region is estimated to have a dominance of 94% of maternal deaths occurring in the world. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the uptake of IPTp-SP among pregnant women 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 6,885 women of active reproductive age from 15 to 49 were included in the analysis. Both univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy in Tanzania. Results: A total of 4764(68.6%) of pregnant women took at least one dose of IPTp-SP during Antenatal Care (ANC)visits. After adjusting for confounders, factors which were associated with uptake of IPTp-SP were; early antenatal booking, (AOR=1.495 p<.001); age group of pregnant woman [20 to 34 years (AOR=1.446, p=.001), more than 34 years (AOR=1.648, p<.001)]; wealth index [middle (AOR=1.418, p<.001), rich (AOR=1.589, p<.001)], education level [primary education (AOR=1.457, p<.001), secondary education AOR=1.653, p<.001]; parity [para 2 to 4 (AOR=1.213, p=.014), para 5 and above (AOR=1.226, p=.043)] and zone [Mainland rural (AOR=0.647, p=.019), Unguja (AOR=0.172, p<.001) and Pemba (AOR=0.310, p<0.001)]. Conclusion: Factors associated with uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy were; timing for ANC booking, age of pregnant woman, parity, level of education, and place of residence.

Knowledge of cord care influences the choice of cord care practices and has a great impact on neonate health. Poor cord care can lead to infection of the umbilical cord and thus have a bearing on the subsequent growth trajectory of the newborn. A health facility-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from January-March 2021 among 315 randomly selected young mothers aged 15 to 25 years with neonates aged between 7 and 28 days. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and a chi-square test and a binary logistic regression model were used during data analysis. The level of significance was set at 5%. More than half of young mothers 196 (62.2%) had adequate knowledge of cord care, although practice of umbilical cord care was exceptionally poor, as only 21% of them had good cord care practice. Predictors of low knowledge were living in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.54, P = .012), having no formal education (AOR = 15.4, P = .038), and delivering at home (AOR = 0.21. P = .001). While the predictors of poor umbilical cord care practices were having no formal education (AOR = 12.15, P = .001), having primary education (AOR = 7.8, P = .003), being a peasant (AOR = 6.6, P = .001), business woman (AOR = 3.6, P = .035), housewife (AOR = 4.2, P = .014) and prime para (AOR = 0.49, P = .004). Living in urban areas, having a higher education level, and having delivered in a health facility were important factors in having knowledge on cord care, while having a higher education level, being employed, and being a multipara were important factors in maintaining cord in a healthy state.