Publication:

Maternal risk factors and its association with low birth weight: a study from rural area of Maharashtra

Background Low birth weight is single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child. A high percentage of low birth weight points to deficient health status of pregnant women, inadequate prenatal care and the need for improved care of the newborn. Present hospital based study was undertaken to identify the maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight babies.

Methods The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries. Data was analysed by using SPSS 16.0 version.

Results The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in primipara mothers (25.53%). The percentage of low birth weight babies was high (34.56%) when pregnancy interval was 1 year. Percentage of low birth weight was maximum among mothers with no antenatal visits (42.93%). Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (38.75%) in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets. Percentage of low birth weight babies was higher (35.62%) among mothers who had antenatal history of radiological exposure. Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (30.27%) in mothers who received inadequate afternoon rest.

Conclusions In our study low birth weight was commonly observed in primipara mothers, pregnancy interval less than a year, mothers with no antenatal visits, in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets and with history of radiological exposure.