Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Public Health

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate maternal health conditions in eastern Tanzania and identify areas and conditions for improvement of healthcare. Tanzania is ranked 27th highest country in maternal mortality in the world (The World Factbook: Tanzania, 2018). Maternal health is an ongoing challenge Tanzania is facing as a country. This experiment was designed to identity areas of service in the district hospital setting that could advance quality of care. This study was conducted in Sinza Palestina Hospital, a district hospital on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data was collected in the form of observation, interviews and questionnaires with healthcare professionals such as nurses, midwifes and doctors. Information was obtained for the 3 areas of maternal care in the hospital: antenatal, delivery and postnatal care. Many factors are to be considered when evaluating the quality of maternal care such as facility environment, healthcare providers, and cultural influences on care. Antenatal, delivery and postnatal protocol of care were obtained in the results of this study. Challenges for maternal care were determined from healthcare professionals. Challenges were identified to be limited supply of trained healthcare providers, equipment limitations, limited facility space, and cultural influence on care. The data of this experiment identified areas of improvement to be health education, infrastructure, hospital staff, community awareness for care. Improving these areas could enhance the quality of care and improve maternal mortality rates in Tanzania.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Dr. William Mkanta, Dr. Alexander Olson

Disciplines

Maternal and Child Health | Public Health

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