Implementation of maternal and perinatal deaths surveillance and response system among health facilities in Rural Tanzania: Analytical cross-sectional study

Background: Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Review and Surveillance (MPDSR) system when used effectively has the power to bring into reality, a revolutionary victory in the fight against maternal and perinatal mortality from avoidable causes. This study aimed at determining the status of implementation of the system among health facilities in rural settings of Tanzania. Method: This study was conducted among 38 health facilities from three districts of Morogoro region, Tanzania from April 27, 2020 to May 29, 2020. Quantitative data was collected through document review for MPDSR implementation status. The outcome was determined by using special scoring sheet with a total 30 points. Facilities that scored 10 points or above were considered to have satisfactory status of MPDSR implementation while the facilities that scored below 10 points were considered to have unsatisfactory status of MPDSR implementation. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of implementation status among health facilities. Results: Majority of health facilities 20(52.6%) had satisfactory MPDSR implementation status. The predictors of MPDSR implementation in a facility were level of health facility [Hospital (AOR = 11.945 at 95% CI = 1.133 – 125.942, P = 0.039)] and ownership of the facility [Public (AOR = 0.133 at 95% CI = 0.019 – 0.920, P = 0.041)]. Conclusion: MPDSR implementation status among health facility is on average not satisfactory. More efforts are needed to raise the status of MPDSR implementation in the country so that the maximum benefit of MPDSR is obtained.