Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is found to persist as an important public health issue worldwide and is associated with risk factors. A babys weight at birth is a strong indication of the health and nutrition of the mother and the newborn.
Objective: To study the influence of various maternal, fetal, and socioeconomic factors on the birth weight of babies.
Materials and Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Of 2,966 babies born alive in the hospital, 1,062 babies were randomly selected for study. The relevant information of the sampled babies and their mothers were recorded on a pretested pro forma, and the results were analyzed.
Result: Among the maternal factors, mothers age, nutritional status, antenatal care, birth order, hemoglobin level, physical activity during pregnancy, bad obstetric history, and pregnancy-induced complications are significantly associated with the incidence of LBW. Among the fetal factors, gestational period and multiple births are significantly associated with the incidence of LBW. Sex of the baby is not found as a factor for LBW babies. Socioeconomic status and education of mother have a significant role in the association of LBW babies. However, rural and urban areas were not found to be significant.
Conclusion: Health education regarding proper maternal nutrition, antenatal care, and family and social support will reduce LBW in new born.
Key words: Birth spacing, low birth weight (LBW), normal birth weight (NBW)
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