Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Ibn al-Baladi Hospital in Baghdad Governorate

Abstract

Background: low birth weight is a reliable indicator in monitoring and evaluating the success of maternal and child health programs and has been defined as a birthweight less than 2500 grams. Aims of study: to determine the mean birthweight of the studied sample and to identify factors associated with the low birth weight. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted in Baghdad in Ibn Al-Baladi hospital. Sampling was convenient & sample size was 200. The study started from 1st October 2016 to 30th March 2017. Data was collected by questionnaire to obtain social- demographic information. Results: The result shows that mean weight of cases was 2.09 kg as compared to 3.5kg in controls, and the 12% were illiterate. About (36.9%) of the women with low birthweight were mainly at less than 37 weeks of gestation age , the number of women who had more than one child was higher among LBW than among normal birthweight. Analysis of results by (chi-square test) show that low educational level, preterm, short birth space interval less than 2 years, and multigravida, and low ANC visits and smoking were significant factors associated with low birthweight Conclusions: This study shows the low educational level, medical and obstetric and low visit antenatal clinic and smoking factors have strong association with low birth weight. Recommendation: The study re commended that re gular health education program through mass media and regular education program in ANC units for pregnant women to avoiding LBW babies.