Study of Risk Factors Influencing Low Birth Weight of Babies among Institutional Deliveries at RIMS Teaching Hospital, Raichur
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Date
2018 Apr
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Akash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
Abstract
The birth weight of an infant is one of the most important determinants of its chances of survival, healthy growth, and development. One of the principal causes for infant mortality in India is low birth weight (LBW). The infant mortality rate is about 20 times greater for LBW babies than for normal birth weight babies. The prevalence of LBW continues to be high despite the adoption of National Health Policy in 1983. The magnitude of LBW infants in developing countries is enormous. There are about 22 million LBW infants in the world, out of which India has about 7–10 million. LBW constitutes about 30% of live births in India. Now according to the revised National Health Policy - 2002, the goal is to reduce proportion of LBW babies from 30% to 10% by 2010. This study is undertaken to find out the proportion of LBW babies in institutional deliveries and to study sociodemographic and maternal factors influencing the birth weight of baby. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in the postnatal care wards of Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Raichur. The study subject constitutes 714 postnatal mothers with singleton live-born babies delivered during the study period. Data were collected by interviewing mothers with the help of pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and data were analyzed. Results: Proportion of LBW was found 25.1%. A significant association was found between birth weight and various factors such as mother’s education, socioeconomic status, age at first conception, interpregnancy interval, antenatal care visits, anemia, tobacco consumption, and obstetric complications. Interpretation and Conclusion: The proportion of LBW was found to be 25.1% compared to national average of 28%. LBW can be prevented through good prenatal care and intervention programs.
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Keywords
Antenatal care, birth weight, education, maternal age, socioeconomic status
Citation
Mudaraddi Roshan. Study of Risk Factors Influencing Low Birth Weight of Babies among Institutional Deliveries at RIMS Teaching Hospital, Raichur. Annals of Community Health. 2018-04; 6(2): 5-9