An epidemiological study of low birth weight newborns in the district of Puruliya, West Bengal.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A community-based epidemiological study on birth weight of newborns was undertaken in the rural domain of a backward district of West Bengal. OBJECTIVES: To find out the magnitude of low birth weight (< 2.5 kg.) newborns and to highlight association, if any, of the socio-demographic, maternal and obstetric factors with birth weight of newborns. METHODS: The study was undertaken in 30 sub-centre areas (cluster), selected by '30 clusters sampling technique', in the rural area of Puruliya district. An adequate sample of 512 newborns (466 plus 10% extra allowance) delivered in those selected clusters (17 consecutive deliveries in each cluster) were to be studied. But, due to inability to record birth weight within 48 hours (in home deliveries) and other reasons, 487 newborns were included in assessing magnitude of the LBW problem. In-depth information on several variables was obtained from 439 mothers of the newborns. Health Workers (F), Anganwadi Workers, Trained dais and Health Supervisors -(F), specially trained for the survey, collected information by using pre-designed and pre-tested proforma. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The incidence of LBW was 31.3%. Among different variables studied, statistically significant association was found in case of educational level of mothers and also place of delivery of newborns. More such community-based studies should be conducted