Social Economic Determinants of Birth Weight: Path Analysis Evidence from Situbondo, East Java

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Social economics and environmental factors contribute to low birthweight. Cigarette exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnant women has been discerned as an important risk factor for low birth weight. The purpose of this study was to investigate social economic determinants of birth weight using path analysis model. Subjects and Method: A case control study was carried out at Asembagus community health center, Situbondo, East Java. The study population was children aged 0-1 years. A sample of 150 children with normal birthweight and 50 children with low birth weight was selected randomly. The dependent variable was low bierthweight. The independent variables were maternal age, maternal employment status, family income, maternal knowledge, and cigarette smoke exposure. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by path analysis. Results: The risk of low birthweight was directly and positively associated with maternal age <20 or ≥35 years (b= 1.78; 95% CI= 0.83 to 2.73; p<0.001), low maternal education (<Senior high school) (b= 0.93; 95% CI= 0.00 to 1.86; p= 0.049), mother work outside the home (b= 1.24; 95% CI= 0.26 to 2.22; p= 0.013), low family income low (b= 1.33; 95% CI= 0.42 to 2.24; p= 0.004), low maternal knowledge (b= 1.17; 95% CI= 0.13 to 2.21; p= 0.026), and high cigarette smoke exposure (b= 1.11; CI 95%= 0.08 to 2.13; p= 0.035). The risk of low birthweight was indirectly and positively associated with maternal education, maternal knowledge, and family income. Conclusion: The risk of low birthweight is directly and positively associated with maternal age <20 or ≥35 years, low maternal education (<Senior high school), mother work outside the home, low family income low, low maternal knowledge, and high cigarette smoke exposure. The risk of low birthweight is indirectly and positively associated with maternal education, maternal knowledge, and family income. Keywords: low birthweight, cigarette smoke exposure, social economy determinants, path analysis Correspondence: Eti Kuswandari. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: etikuswandari.eki@gmail.com. Mobile: +6282132770153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.104