ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of low birth weight and factors that could be associated with low birth weight in a tertiary hospital in Maseru.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital, Maseru, Lesotho, February to May, 2016.Methods:The mothers who participated were 402 with age range of 15 to 48 years. The study included 412 newborns. Direct measurement of variables was complemented with questionnaire-derived data. There was re-categorization of primary variables. Associations between low birth weight and maternal and newborn characteristics were assessed with multiple logistic regression with a 95% confidence level.Results:The prevalence of low birth weight was high at 25% out of the 412 newborns. Multivariate analysis suggested that multiple gestations POR=26.39 (95% CI 5.29-131.75), preterm delivery POR=11.64 (95% CI 5.88-23.04), use of unclean energy POR=6.14 (95% CI 2.72-13.85), hypertension POR=3.48 (95% CI 1.70-7.11), HIV POR=2.08 (95% CI 1.07-4.08) and a low paid job POR =2.35 (95% CI 1.08-5.10) were independently associated with low birth weight.Conclusion:Preventing low birth weight could be addressed by early detection and prompt treatment of hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus infection, and by implementing strategies to prevent premature births.
ABSTRACT
A community based cohort study on birth weight of newborns was conducted among pregnant women of an urban slum in Bhupal, India. The study was carried out to assess the magnitude of low birth weight (LBW) and factors contributing it in an urban slum community. Socio-demographic and maternal characteristics were examined applying statistical techniques to find out the variables associated with the LBW. An additional schedule was used to collect information from mothers about their socio-demographic background, dietary intake and the rest during the pregnancy. Weight of newborns of mothers registered in the study and delivering at the district hospital was recorded. Mean birth weight of newborns of 290 registered mothers was 2.57 ± 0.36 g. One hundred and five newborns (36.2%) had a birth weight lesser than 2500 g. Among different variables studied, statistically significant association was found in case of occupation, daily calorie intake and duration of day-time rest taken by pregnant women.