DETERMINANTS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG NEWBORNS AT AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD

Mohammad Younas, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Junaid Alam, Mumtazullah ., Mohammad Iftikhar Alam

Abstract


Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important predictor of health outcome of neonate in early and later life.Worldwide prevalence estimate of low birth weight is 15.5% and 95% contribution is from developing part of sphere. It is a significant health problem in Pakistan and increments the burden on ailing health services. This study was aimed to elucidate some of the important determinants so that effective intervention plan can be developed in light of these findings. Methods: The study was descriptive Cross-sectional study conducted in obstetric wards and labour room of Ayub Teaching Hospital. Sample size was 370 and non-probability convenient sampling was employed using researcher-made questionnaire. Data was analysed by computer software SPSS version 16.0. Results: Low birth weight frequency was found to be 30.3%. Mean birth weight was 2792.16±518.71 gms. About 78 out of 112, (70%) of LBW births were infants of anaemic mother and 62 (56%) of LBW babies were delivered by others residing in rural areas. Similarly 53% LBW births were among mothers with low socio economic status. Around 89 out of 112 LBW births were given birth by mothers performing more physically demanding work.
Conclusion: Important positive association highlighted by this study are of maternal anaemia, working habits during pregnancy, residential background and maternal socioeconomic status with low birth weight outcome.
Keywords: Low birth weight, Incidence, Antenatal care, Rural and urban area, Socio-economic factors
Stud J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;1(1):6-9


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