Migration for obstetric care: the impact of regional Obstetric Care Facility Density disparities in Tanzania

OBJECTIVE: This is an extended analysis of the previously published data to demonstrate the relationship between high Obstetric Care Facility Density (OCFD) and migration for obstetric services in Tanzania. RESULTS: Overall, regions with excess institutional deliveries had significantly higher OCFD compared to other regions. A consistent pattern was observed whereby regions with excess Institutional deliveries also exhibited the most outstanding OCFD of all the neighbouring regions. The observed patterns of Institutional deliveries and OCFD affirm the hypothesis of immigration for obstetric care services from low to high OCFD regions. Further research is suggested to prove this hypothesis in the field.