Mama Ye Factsheet on Preterm Birth in Tanzania 2014

To mark World Prematurity Day on 17 November 2014 Mama Ye have produced this Factsheet on Preterm Births in Tanzania. It summarises the latest evidence on prematurity, including interventions. What is Preterm Birth?A preterm birth is when a baby is born alive but before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed1. In Tanzania, one in four newborn deaths are due to preterm birth complications. Babies born too soon are between 6 and 26 times more likely to die during the first four weeks of their lives than babies born at term.In addition, preterm survivors often suffer from lifelong disabilities, such as visual and hearing impairments, chronic lung disease, long term cardiovascular ill-health, learning and behavioural impairments. Prematurity has a far-reaching impact on their development and on their health as children and adults.Preterm Birth is a Public Pealth Problem in TanzaniaTanzania ranks twelfth in the world for the number of preterm births - every year 213,500 babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed – this is one in every 9 babies born alive. Prematurity is the second largest cause of death for babies in the first month of life, with 9,400 newborn deaths due to preterm birth every year.What can be done in Tanzania?Many of these deaths could be prevented, through both prevention of preterm birth, and care for the premature baby.

• Adolescent pregnancy, older age pregnancy, short time gaps between births, chronic and infectious diseases, and unhealthy pre-pregnancy weight increase the risk of preterm birth.
• Family planning strategies, including birth spacing and adolescent-friendly services, can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
• Encourage early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.
• Quality antenatal and postnatal care, along with skilled care at delivery, can help to reduce deaths due to preterm birth. Investing in trained and equipped health workers is key, with a focus on the 48 hours surrounding birth.
• Newborn resuscitation, antibiotics, hygienic cord care, breastfeeding, and mother to newborn skin-to-skin contact are all simple and effective interventions for saving small and sick babies.

Through these largely simple cost-effective solutions and technologies, more than three quarters of deaths due to prematurity could be averted with the right care before, during and after delivery.In 2014 Tanzania committed to the Every Newborn Action Plan8 and the Sharpened One Plan. These strategies set out the priority solutions, and call for a united effort to dramatically maternal and newborn deaths, and preventable stillbirths. We must prioritise the evidence-based, cost-effective and feasible solutions in all health facilities that provide pregnancy and delivery services, as well as ensure better data collection on pregnancy outcomes to enable responsive action where it is most needed.Learn about preterm birth and take action!To view the factsheet in English, click here.To view the factsheet in Swahili, click here.Evidence for Action. (2014). Mama Ye Factsheet on Preterm Birth in Tanzania 2014. London: Evidence for Action.