ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The traditional birth attendant delivers majority of pregnant women in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 780 pregnant women who received ante-natal care at a TBH and live singletons born to them were recruited for this study. Venous blood was collected from all pregnant women at onset of labour, and haemogblobin concentration determined using standard method. RESULTS: The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%, and was significantly affected by maternal age (P =0.039), gestational age (P=0.019), maternal height (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.015), and time of registration (P = 0.016). Being in a polygamous union, was significantly associated with the prevalence of LBW (OR = 13.640; 95%CI: = 6.148, 30.261; P = < 0.0001). Maternal anaemia was identified as a risk factor for the delivering of LBW neonates (OR = 2.797; 95% CI = 1.555, 5.029; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%. Intervention by appropriate agencies is advocated to reduce LBW in TBHs in Nigeria.
Subject(s)
Anemia/complications , Delivery, Obstetric/statistics & numerical data , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Midwifery , Adolescent , Adult , Anemia/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Age , Nigeria/epidemiology , Parity , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Prenatal Care , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of malaria and anemia among pregnant women attending a traditional birth center as well as the effect of herbal remedies, gravidity, age, educational background and malaria prevention methods on their prevalence. METHODS: Blood specimens were collected from 119 pregnant women attending a Traditional Birth Home in Benin City, Nigeria. Malaria parasitemia was diagnosed by microscopy while anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL. RESULTS: The prevalence of malaria infection was (OR=4.35 95% CI=1.213, 15.600; p=0.016) higher among primigravidae (92.1%). Pregnant women (38.5%) with tertiary level of education had significantly lower prevalence of malaria infection (p=0.002). Malaria significantly affected the prevalence of anemia (p<0.05). Anemia was associated with consumption of herbal remedies (OR=2.973; 95% CI=1.206, 7.330; p=0.017). The prevalence of malaria parasitemia and anemia were not affected by malaria prevention methods used by the participants. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of malaria infection and anemia observed in this study were 78.9% and 46.2%, respectively. Higher prevalence of malaria infection was associated with primigravidae and lower prevalence with tertiary education of subjects. Anemia was associated with consumption of herbal remedies. There is urgent need to control the prevalence of malaria and anemia among pregnant women attending traditional birth homes.
