Browsing by Author "Abdala, Zulfa"

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    Socio economic factors affecting safe Motherhood in rural Tanzania: the case of Lindi rural district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Abdala, Zulfa
    Safe motherhood in Tanzania is one of the major concerns addressed by various global and national commitments. Despite of having good health system and exemption of fees in maternal and child health services at any government facility and many other initiatives, safe motherhood for the majority of women especially in rural Tanzania has not been attained. The efforts to attain safe motherhood in rural Tanzania are challenged by many factors including social, economic and cultural factors. The main objective of this study was to examine the social economic factors affecting safe motherhood in rural Tanzania. A case study design has been used to study social economic factors affecting safe motherhood in rural Tanzania. Questionnaires, interviews and documentary review were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Due to financial and time constraints, the study involved six (6) wards, all selected from Lindi Rural District. The findings of this study reveal that among others factors, income challenges safe motherhood in the district. While no women with income more than 200,000 who gave birth at home, 60% of women who gave birth at home had income less than Tshs 50,000. It was also revealed that, while shortage of health workers also challenges safe motherhood in the district, substantial proportion (19%) of women in Lindi Rural district did not attend clinics and receiving safe motherhood services was restricted by culture and traditions. Following these findings, this research has put forward a number of recommendations which include the need for the government, NGOs and other stakeholders to strive to equip all women with a proper understanding of safe motherhood services. The government should also ensure proper implementations of Programs, policies and various health related interventions that are dedicated to improving maternal health condition, SMH and reducing maternal mortality.