Abstract
The traditional birth attendant delivers majority of pregnant women in Nigeria. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 780 pregnant women who received ante-natal care at a TBH and live singletons born to them were recruited for this study. Venous blood was collected from all pregnant women at onset of labour, and haemogblobin concentration determined using standard method. The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%, and was significantly affected by maternal age (P =0.039), gestational age (P=0.019), maternal height (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.015), and time of registration (P = 0.016). Being in a polygamous union, was significantly associated with the prevalence of LBW (OR = 13.640; 95%CI: = 6.148, 30.261; P = < 0.0001). Maternal anaemia was identified as a risk factor for the delivering of LBW neonates (OR = 2.797; 95% CI = 1.555, 5.029; P = 0.0001). The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%. Intervention by appropriate agencies is advocated to reduce LBW in TBHs in Nigeria.
Highlights
Low birth weight (LBW) remains a global health challenge with both short and long term adverse consequences[1]
This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria
Maternal anaemia was identified as a risk factor for the delivering of LBW neonates (OR = 2.797; 95% CI = 1.555, 5.029; P = 0.0001)
Summary
Low birth weight (LBW) remains a global health challenge with both short and long term adverse consequences[1] It is an important indicator of the health status of an infant and a principal factor that determines the infant survival, physical and mental development in. While the services provided by TBAs are inevitable and widespread in rural areas due to the lack of/or poor access to orthodox health facilities,[5] a body of evidence is presently accumulating which suggest that many women in urban areas where physical access and financial barriers to facility based obstetric services are minimal, still choose the services offered by the TBA.[8,9,10] This trend inevitably results in more children been delivered by TBAs who are known to be largely uneducated,[11] and often unable to prevent and treat obstetric complications.[12]. Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria.
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