Assessment of the Quality of Antenatal Care Services and the Associated Risk Factors in Tanzania

Abstract Background This study gives the finding of the assessment made on the quality of antenatal care (ANC) services received by women in Tanzania during pregnancy and the associated risk factors. Methods We used the data from the 2015-16Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS). The sample included 6,924 women who gave birth in the five years before the survey and having at least one ANC visit in the most current pregnancy. The quality of ANC services provided was assessed using six questions on receipt of recommended components of ANC services. The responses of the individual components were summed up to generate the ANC service provision score. In so doing, the women who received all six components were considered to receive good quality ANC services. A weighted logistic regression model was employed in the examination of the factors associated with the quality of ANC services. Results The average service provision score was 4.4 out of a total of 6. Approximately, 31% of the women received good quality ANC services. The most provided ANC components were blood sample measurement (87%) and iron tablets/syrup (82.1%). The urine sample (60%) was the least offered ANC service. The results of the adjusted logistic regression model revealed that age, place of residence, education level, the time of the first ANC visit, number of ANC visits, and family wealth index were significant factors associated with the quality of ANC services. Conclusions In terms of service provision, the quality of ANC service in Tanzania is suboptimal. With differences by observed risk factors, there must be more efforts to strengthen the quality of ANC services and to remove the differences.