Maternal and Social Factors Affecting Low Birth Weight: A Case Control Study of PHC at Kherva Village of Gujarat

Abstract

Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a major public health problem in many developing countries and especially in India. The main objective of this paper is to identify the factors that affect birth weight of new born and to estimate the prevalence of LBW. The Case Control Study method is used to undertake the study. For this purpose the mothers giving birth to LBW neonate (<2.5 kg) are considered as cases and those whose neonates weighed ≥2.5 kg at birth are considered as controls. The present study was carried out amongst 200 pregnant women who were admitted in Primary Health Center (PHC) of Kherva village in Mehsana taluka of Gujarat state in India. The study was conducted during May 2013 to September 2013.
In present study, risk factors; Maternal Age, Nature of family, Occupation of Mother, Monthly Income, Maternal pre pregnancy Weight, Maternal Weight after pregnancy, Hemoglobin level of mother, Inter pregnancy Interval, Consumption of Tobacco, Weight of previous siblings, abortion were found to play a significant role and indicated association with the birth weight of a newborn. It suggests that interventions such as increasing marriage age of female and maternal nutrition, wider availability of contraception to delay the first pregnancy and to increase pregnancy intervals may help in identifying and ensuring adequate care for those women who are at greatest risk of LBW.