Abstract:
Reducing child mortality and improving the maternal health are
the 4th and 5th millennium development goals (MDG) which are very
closely associated. Fetal outcome especially birth weight is the single most
important factor that indicates the survival chance and health condition of a
baby. In also says the health and socioeconomic condition of a community.
Reducing the low birth weight (LBW) is the vital factor to achieve the 4th
MDG through improving the maternal factors. In this study, associations
among the maternal factors such as maternal age, parity, initial weight of
mothers, mothers’ BMI, gestational duration and LBW were studied for the
Sainthamaruthu medical office of health (MOH) division. Further
relationship between prevalence of LBW, delivery period and sex of neonate
were discussed. There were 491 singleton live births in this MOH division in
year 2009 and all these were included for this study. Significantly higher
average birth weight 3005.9 g compare to national average was observed
with an unusual less LBW prevalence of 9.98 % (p<0.05). No association was
found between LBW and sex of the neonate (p=0.821). Even though the
association between mothers age and LBW was marginal (p=0.160), 13.3%
LBW was observed for the age group 15 to 24 years. The birth weight
increased with parity where as the prevalence of LBW decreased. A
significant association was found between initial mothers’ weight and
prevalence of LBW (p=0.019). A very marginal association was found
between body mass index (BMI) and LBW (p=0.307). Prevalence of LBW for
preterm delivery was 16.05% where as it was only 8.78% for normal term
delivery. In overall this MOH division’s contribution to the 4th and 5th
MDG is commendable.
