Predictors of low birth weight in Bushenyi district, Uganda

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Date
2007-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala international international: School of Health Sciences
Abstract
The study sought to establish the factors that lead to low birth weight (LB W) of children born in the health units in Bushenyi district. The objectives were to establish the prevalence of LBW of babies born in the health units and to establish the relationship between LBW and selected risk factors. The first four hundred and ninety five (1495) mothers who delivered in the selected health units during July - August 2008 were considered for the study. The study was carried out from three hospitals, 5 health centre IVs and 7 health centre Ills. Analytical cross-sectional study design was used to establish the relative interaction of various independent variables in predicting the dependent variable. Data was collected through an interview using structured questionnaire, observations of mothers at period of delivery, and taking the weights of babies soon after delivery. The data collected was computed into summaries and frequencies for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Spearman's rho correlation was used to establish the relationship between LBW and socio-economic status, while multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the prediction of soco-demographic, health, behavioral and lifestyle of mothers on LBW status. The prevalence of LBW was found to be l 0.5%. The following factors; mothers’ aged below 21 years, smoking during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption. Poor health of mother and poor health seeking behavior were found to be significantly related to low birth weight. The parity of the mother/ family size, education, and socio-economic status were not significantly related to LBW. The major recommendations were: to strengthen programmes that prevent early pregnancies, especially for the teenagers and youth; strengthen antenatal services; maintain and strengthen malaria control activities; strengthen HIV I AIDS services and intensify family planning services to limit the number of children per woman.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the a ward of the degree of Master of public health Kampala international university
Keywords
Public health, Predictors, Bushenyi district, Low birth weight
Citation