The Tanzania Demographic Health Survey (DHS, 1996) reported a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 529 per 100000 live births and only 40% of the women receiving skilled attendance during childbirth. Ten years later (2005), the DHS revealed an increase of MMR to 578 per 100,000 live births and still only 46% of the women receiving skilled attendance during childbirth. WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA maintain that skilled birth attendance is crucial in reducing the MMR.