Prediction of low birth weight outcome in Thailand: multiple regression analysis.

In the present study the risk approach using maternal risk factors for LBW newborns in Thailand is applied. The study may be considered as a managerial tool for developing local strategies and is particularly useful in maternal and child health care. The main objective is to develop a model to predict LBW outcome with an aim to screen those at risk at the level of health centres, district and provincial hospitals. Using MLR analysis, it is concluded that Model I and Model II (Table 3 and 4) can be used to predict which pregnant women are likely to deliver LBW newborns. The prediction can be made as early as the first trimester. If the prediction is shown to be accurate, the two models will be very helpful for use in Thai people. For general use, the investigators believe that Model I will be appropriate for application at the level of provincial and district hospitals, while Model II should be used at the health centre level peripheral to the health delivery system.

Maternal risk factors for low birth weight newborn in Thailand.

The present study assesses the risk approach for maternal risk factors for LBW newborn in Thailand. This study can be considered as a managerial tool for developing local strategies and is particularly useful in the field of maternal and child health care. A summary of maternal risk factors for LBW newborn as listed in Table 7 and can be used as a health educational tool for pregnant women and as basic data for marital counseling. It can also be used to keep the public informed about the maternal risk factors for LBW newborn which will help Thai women of reproductive age avoid the chance of having such babies.

Risk factors for hepatitis B carrier status among blood donors of the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society.

A study of risk factors for hepatitis B carriers among voluntary blood donors of the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society was carried out in a case-control study design during January 1989 to June 1990. Cases were 876 blood donors whose blood identified HBsAg at time of recruitment and continued positive for more than 6 months. Controls were 1,750 blood donors whose blood was free from HBsAg who came for blood donation at the same period as the cases. The ratio of cases:controls = 1:2. Self-administered questionnaires were constructed and pretested before using both cases and controls. The study revealed that the risk factors for hepatitis B among voluntary blood donors were age of less than 30 years old; low socioeconomic status (family income of less than 8,000 Baht/month); single status, especially males; male occupations of students, monks, nongovernment workers compared with government officials; female occupations of laborers, students, nongovernment workers and government officials compared with housewives. Sharing of nail clippers, used blades and tooth brushes among family members are proved to be risk factors, especially among males. In addition, sharing of used blades in barber shops proved to be a risk among males while sharing of nail clippers in beauty salons, history of ear-piercing at department stores or history of caesarean section among females could not be shown to be risk factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)