Prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factors: a community based cross sectional study in a rural area of Rohtak, Haryana, India

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health issue in developing countries like India. LBW leads to an impaired growth of the infant resulting in a higher mortality rate and increased morbidity. LBW is also an important indicator of maternal and child health. Objective is to find the prevalence of low birth weight in a rural area and to study maternal factors associated with occurrence of low birth weight. Methods: This community based cross sectional study was undertaken in block Chiri, a rural field practice area attached to PGIMS, Rohtak. All the births which had occurred during the period from 1 st January to 31 st December, 2012 under one Primary health care center were included in the study. The list of deliveries during the study period was prepared with the help of ANMs, anganwadi workers and ASHAs. Details regarding antenatal, intranatal and post natal events were collected from the mothers using a pre-tested semistructured questionnaire after obtaining written informed consent. The data obtained were analysed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was found to be 18% in the study area. In the present study nearly 70% of the mothers with low birth weight babies were less than 19 years of age at the time of delivery, 80% of them were educated up to class 12, 78% were house wife’s, 40% of them belonged to class 3 socio economic status, only 40% of them had got 3 or more antenatal checkup. Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight was 18% in the present study. Majority of them were aged <19years, educated up to 12th class, majority of them were house wives belonging to class 3 SES and had less than two antenatal checkup.