This research article published by International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS, Volume 9, Issue 2, 2020
Background: The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal number 3 aims at reducing the
maternal mortality rate by less than 70/100,000 live births globally and 216/100,000 live births in
developing regions by 2030. Despite several interventions in Tanzania, maternal mortality has increased
from 454/100,000 live births in 2010 to 556/100,000 live births in 2015. Home delivery and maternal
young age contribute to maternal deaths. Reducing home deliveries among women aged 15-24 years may
likely decrease the prevalence of maternal deaths in Tanzania. This study investigated the determinants of
home delivery among women aged 15- 24 years in rural and mainland districts of Tanzania.
Methods: This study uses a mixed-methods approach using data collected as part of the evaluation
of government and UNICEF interventions in 13 districts of Tanzania mainland from October and
November 2011. Results from the secondary analysis were supplemented by qualitative data
collected between February and April 2019 from four rural districts: Bagamoyo, Tandahimba, Magu,
and Moshi.
Results: A total of 409 adolescents and young women who delivered one year before the quantitative data
collection were included in the final analysis. A quarter of them gave birth at home. Having at least four
antenatal care (ANC) visits (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.12-0.41, p<0.01), planning place of delivery (OR=0.22,
95%CI: 0.14-0.36 p<0.01), and knowledge of the danger signs during pregnancy (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.22-
0.57, p<0.01) were significantly associated with the place of delivery.
Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Maternal level of education, number of ANC
visits attended, planned place of delivery, and knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy were the
determinants of the choice of place of delivery among women aged 15-24 years in Tanzania. Understanding
these risk factors is important in designing programs and interventions to reduce maternal deaths from
women of this age group which contributes about 18% of all maternal deaths in Tanzania.