Tanzania

Motherhood Statistics

Two-thirds of women are literate, compared to 80 percent of men. Females receive approximately 6.3 years of schooling. The lower a woman's education level, the more likely she is to live in poverty. Moreover, such health concerns as high rates of infectious disease, a 7 percent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence rate, and limited access to health care influence mothering. The World Bank reports an infant mortality rate of 73.6 per 1,000 live births (under-5 mortality is 112). Maternal mortality is estimated at 578 per 100,000 live births. Fifty-three percent of deliveries occur at home, and 46 percent are assisted by a health professional. The median ages at first marriage and birth are 18.6 and 19.4, respectively; therefore, early child [Page 1194]bearing is common, and 20 percent of 15–19-year-olds and 77 percent of 20–24-year-olds have at least one child. There is a mean birth interval of 33 months, and women report that five is their ideal number of children. The total fertility rate is 5.7; however, there is significant difference in fertility rates between rural (6.5) and urban areas (3.6). This rural-urban divide is also found in such areas as contraception, access to health care, education, and infant and maternal mortality.

In 1992, the National Population Policy and Reproductive Health Project (known as Green Star) were adopted. Tanzania also participates in the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) of the World Bank and World Health Organization. These programs promote maternal and child health initiatives and encourage family planning. Two-thirds of women have heard some kind of family planning message. Although abortion is illegal, contraception is available. The Demographic and Health Survey states sexually active women are aware of an average of seven birth control methods. Use of contraception varies widely by such factors as marital status, residence, education, number of living children, and the woman's status.

The greater role a woman has in household decision making, the more likely she is to utilize family planning. Both monogamy and polygyny are legal; 25 percent of households are headed by women. Gender violence also serves as a status indicator. Domestic assault and female genital mutilation (FGM) are illegal but still practiced. For example, three-fifths of women agree wife beating is justified under certain circumstances, and while an amendment to the penal code prohibits FGM, it remains an important rite for some groups.