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  • Title: Incidence of low birth weight in three selected communities of Bangladesh.
    Author: Nahar N, Afroza S, Hossain M.
    Journal: Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull; 1998 Aug; 24(2):49-54. PubMed ID: 9926483.
    Abstract:
    This prospective study was conducted in urban affluent, slum and rural communities of Bangladesh during Feb '94 to Feb '95. From each community, 250 pregnant mothers were recruited in the study and at the end total 660 live births were studied to determine the incidence and risk factors of low birth weight. Incidence of low birth weight was highest in urban slum (36.8%) followed by rural area (20.9%) and lowest in urban affluent community (18.3%). The area of residence had a significant influence on birth weight suggesting that environmental stress had detrimental effect on birth weight. Age, weight and height of mothers were also risk factor for low birth weight of their babies. Mothers of less than 20 years and more than 35 years, weighing less than 40 kg and having height less than 140 cm had the higher risk of giving birth to low birth weight babies. Incidence of low birth weight was highest (73.2%) among the primigravidae mothers and 36.8% among the mothers who had no antenatal check-up, but it was 15.9% among those who had check-up more than 7 times. The distribution of low birth weight babies was higher (48.2%) among the mothers who had never gone to school. To reduce the incidence of low birth weight, upliftment of socio-economic condition has got no alternative which is very much related to education level of the people. Emphasis should be given on mothers' education which is one of the influencing factors of birth weight of babies. This study examines the incidence of low birth weight and its associated risk factors in different communities in Bangladesh. The study was conducted in urban affluent, slum, and rural communities during February 1994 to February 1995. A total of 660 live births gathered from Pubail, Kashimpur, Konabari union of Gazipur district and Dhaka City were studied. Sociodemographic data, obstetric data, and birth weight of babies were gathered. The results revealed that the incidence of low birth weight was highest in urban slum (36.8%) followed by rural area (20.9%) and the lowest in urban affluent community (18.3%). The area of residence was found to significantly influence infant birth weight, which suggest that environmental stress had detrimental effect on birth weight. Other risk factors related to low birth weight were maternal age, weight, and height. Furthermore, incidence of low birth weight was highest among primigravidas (73.2%) and 36.8% among mothers with no antenatal check-up but among those who had check-up more than 7 times, it was 15.9%. Results also indicate that mothers who had never gone to school have a higher low birth weight incidence.
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