ABSTRACT
ABSTRACTBackground: World Health Organization has defined low birthweight (LBW) as birth weight less than 2,500 grams. LBW is animportant indicator of reproductive as well as general healthstatus of a given population. The aetiology of LBW ismultifactorial. The current study was conducted to find out thematernal risk factors associated with LBW delivered in V.S.SMedical College& Hospital, Burla.Materials and Methods: It was hospital based cross -sectionalstudy comprising of 1030 postnatal women and their newbornswho delivered single live baby in V.S.S Medical College&Hospital, Burla. Selection of study participants done bysystematic random sampling. The study was conducted fromOct 2012 to September 2014.Results obtained was expressedin simple number and percentages. Chi-square test was usedto measure the association between LBW and variousmaternal risk factors.Results: The proportion of LBW was found to be 27.76%. Theproportion of LBW was found high and significant in Primimothers (31.09%), birth spacing < 36 months (28.93%),gestational age < 37 weeks (62.94%), obstetric complications(31.12%), major medical illness (44.07%), Haemoglobin<11gms (34.32%), weight gain <10 kg during pregnancy(41.60%), late registration (33.62%), < 4 ANC visit (52.79%),<100 IFA tab. Consumption (44.70%) and without calciumsupplementation (33.60%).Conclusions: The finding of the present study indicates thatLBW can be tackled by maternal education, socioeconomicdevelopment and providing adequate antenatal care topregnant women in time.