Findings from University of Dodoma Broaden Understanding of Malaria (Health Insurance Is Important In Improving Maternal Health Service Utilization In Tanzania-analysis of the 2011/2012 Tanzania Hiv/aids and Malaria Indicator Survey)

2019 APR 29 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Mosquito-Borne Diseases - Malaria is the subject of a report. According to news reporting originating in Dodoma, Tanzania, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Maternal mortality rates vary significantly from region to region. Interventions such as early and planned antenatal care attendance and facility delivery with skilled health workers can potentially reduce maternal mortality rates.”

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the University of Dodoma, “Several factors can be attributed to antenatal care attendance, or lack thereof, including the cost of health care services. The aim of this study was to examine the role of health insurance coverage in utilization of maternal health services in Tanzania. Secondary data analysis was conducted on the nationally representative sample of men and women aged 15-49 years using the 2011/12 Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey. It included 4513 women who had one or more live births within three years before the survey. The independent variable was health insurance coverage. Outcome variables included proper timing of the first antenatal care visit, completing the recommended number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, and giving birth under skilled worker. Data were analyzed both descriptively and using regression analyses to examine independent association of health insurance and maternal health services. Of 4513 women, only 281 (6.2%) had health insurance. Among all participants, only 16.9%, 7.1%, and 56.5%, respectively, made their first ANC visit as per recommendation, completed the recommended number of ANC visits, and had skilled birth assistance at delivery. A higher proportion of women with health insurance had a proper timing of 1st ANC attendance compared to their counterparts (27.0% vs. 16.0%, p< 0.001). Similar trend was for skilled birth attendance (77.6% vs. 55.1%, p< 0.001). After adjusting for other confounders and covariates, having health insurance was associated with proper timing of 1st ANC attendance (AOR = 1.89, p< 0.001) and skilled birth attendance (AOR = 2.01, p< 0.01). Health insurance coverage and maternal health services were low in this nationally representative sample in Tanzania. Women covered by health insurance were more likely to have proper timing of the first antenatal visit and receive skilled birth assistance at delivery. To improve maternal health, health insurance alone is however not enough.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “It is important to improve other pillars of health system to attain and sustain better maternal health in Tanzania and areas with similar contexts.”

For more information on this research see: Health Insurance Is Important In Improving Maternal Health Service Utilization In Tanzania-analysis of the 2011/2012 Tanzania Hiv/aids and Malaria Indicator Survey. BMC Health Services Research, 2018;18():. BMC Health Services Research can be contacted at: Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (BioMed Central - http://www.biomedcentral.com/; BMC Health Services Research - http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/)

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting S.M. Kibusi, University of Dodoma, College of Health and Science, School of Nursing and Public Health, Dodoma, Tanzania. Additional authors for this research include E. Kimunai, C.S. Hines and B.F. Sunguya.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-2924-1. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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