ABSTRACT
Background: Low birth weight is one of the most serious challenges in maternal and child health in both developed and developing countries. According to a UNICEF report about 28 per cent of babies born in India are low birth weight. Present hospital based study was undertaken to estimate the proportion of babies with low birth weight.Methods: The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries.Results: Out of total 1154 live full term new borns; 279 (24.18%) were low birth weight babies. The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in mothers from rural area 243 (27.46%). Highest percentage (45.33%) of low birth weight babies was seen in non agricultural laborer. Higher percentage of low birth weight babies (26.18%) was observed among mothers belonging to joint family. Highest percentage (28.61%) of low birth weight babies was observed in class V socioeconomic status.Conclusions: Baby birth weight has significant association with place of residence, mothers occupation, fathers occupation, socioeconomic status of family (p<0.05).
ABSTRACT
Background: Low birth weight is single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child. A high percentage of low birth weight points to deficient health status of pregnant women, inadequate prenatal care and the need for improved care of the newborn. Present hospital based study was undertaken to identify the maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight babies.Methods: The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries. Data was analysed by using SPSS 16.0 version.Results: The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in primipara mothers (25.53%). The percentage of low birth weight babies was high (34.56%) when pregnancy interval was 1 year. Percentage of low birth weight was maximum among mothers with no antenatal visits (42.93%). Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (38.75%) in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets. Percentage of low birth weight babies was higher (35.62%) among mothers who had antenatal history of radiological exposure. Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (30.27%) in mothers who received inadequate afternoon rest.Conclusions: In our study low birth weight was commonly observed in primipara mothers, pregnancy interval less than a year, mothers with no antenatal visits, in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets and with history of radiological exposure.