ABSTRACT
Low birth weight (LBW) is a major predictor of child mortality and morbidity. The objectives of this study are to determine the proportion and risk factors of LBW. A matched case-control study was conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan. The study population consisted of all babies delivered in August 2016 excluding stillbirths, multiple births, and babies with insufficient data. All LBW neonates were selected using total coverage sampling as cases and matched on babies' gender with randomly selected normal birth weights as controls. The sample size was 350 babies; 175 test cases and 175 control cases. Data were collected from hospital records and six risk factors were tested: mother age, parity, gravidity, mode of delivery, hypertensive disorders, and diabetes mellitus. The proportion of LBW was 10.8% of the total number of delivered neonates which is 2,938. The bivariate analysis identified that younger mother age (p = 0.03) and hypertension (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with LBW while other factors were found statistically insignificant. Multivariable conditional logistic regression revealed that hypertensive disorders in pregnancy increase the risk for LBW almost three times [Adjusted OR = 2.98 (95% CI: 1.23-7.22), p = 0.02]. We found that hypertension is an independent risk factor for LBW. The proportion of LBWcan be reduced if hypertension is controlled by providing simple measures like proper antenatal care and health education for pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Khalawi are non-governmental, traditional educational boarding institutions, widely scattered in Sudan. Many Khalawi are resource-limited with deficient feeding and poor housing conditions, which could seriously affect the students' health. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving all students of a Khalwa in Sharg Al-Neel Locality, Khartoum State. Demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire with anthropometric measurements, along with laboratory and clinical assessments for anaemia. The dietary behaviours of students were also assessed using Global School-based Health Survey. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. A total of 131 students were included in this study. Their mean age was 13.7 ± 2.7 years, nearly half of them were from Darfur State in western Sudan, and the majority of them are primary school students. Upon assessment, many displayed serious symptoms and signs of anaemia namely: conjunctival pallor, palmar pallor, fatigability, lightheadedness and palpitation. Based on their haemoglobin testing, 95% were anemic and 24% had severe anaemia. Although 63.6% of them had normal body mass index (4.5%), 11.4%, were found 'severely thin' and 'thin', respectively. Regarding their dietary habits, 46.8% of them consumed milk or milk products less than one time per day, while 20.6% did not consume milk products in the past 30 days. Moreover, 39.4%, 44.9% and 39.4% did not consume any vegetables, fruits or fruit juice, respectively, in the past month. Students of Khalwa displayed poor dietary habits, which resulted in nutritional deficiencies. Programmes must be directed towards improving the quality of diet provided at these schools.
