Sociodemographic and Obstetrical Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight: Community Based Retrospective Study in an Urban Slum of Western India

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to find out association between low birth weight and sociodemographic factors, obstetrical factors and ante natal care. The study also helped to recognize whether the known risk factors of low birth weight still exists or their relation is modified in current era in urban slum area of Surat city in Western India. Methods: This study is a part of large scale survey conducted to assess reproductive and child health services in Surat city in Western India. In this large scale study, out of 1004 community based ‘Maternal and Child Day Care Centre’, 30 centre were selected by using cluster sampling design. In the selected areas a household survey was conducted to assess maternal and child healthcare status. Birth weight less than 2500gm was considered as low birth weight and association of study variables with low birth weight was find out using Chi-square and Odds Ratio. Results: Among the 322 mothers interviewed, 51.6% were of 20-24 years of age; 97.2% were having antenatal registration; 35.7% had high risk pregnancy; 9.6% were working; 23.3% had birth interval ≤2 years. Low birth weight rate was 20.5%. High risk pregnancy, preterm birth and birth interval ≤2 years shows statistically significant (p