Prevalence Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight Babies and Impact of Nutrition Education to Under Nourished Pregnant Women to Improve the Birth Weight

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence, risk factors of low-birthweight newlinebabies and impact of nutrition education to under nourished pregnant women to newlineimprove the birth weight in Hubli-Dharwad cities. Six hospitals were selected from newlineHubli-Dharwad cities to the prevalence of low birth weight incidences. Secondary data newlineregarding prevalence of low birth weight was collected from selected government and newlineprivate hospitals of Hubli-Dharwad cities. newlinePrimary data from the mothers of low birth weight neonates (N=500) regarding newlinerisk factors, sociodemographic profile and dietary intake were collected by newlineinterviewing the respondents. LBW newborns (10.6%) have a birth weight less than 1.8 newlinekg, 22.2 per cent have a birth weight between 1.8 kg and 2 kg and 67.2 per cent have a newlinebirth weight between 2.1 kg and 2.49 kg. Out of 500 babies 57.4 per cent were females newlineand 42.6 per cent were males. newlineThe morbidity pattern among low birth weight babies was studied (N=100). The newlinenutrition education material was developed. The nutrition education was given to the newlineunder nourished pregnant women and the impact of the same was assessed in control newlineand experiment group. Growth and morbidities were studied for six months of duration newline(N=25). newlineThe prevalence of incidences of LBW babies in selected 6 hospitals both newlinegovernment and private hospitals ranges from 5.45 per cent to 17.12 per cent. Low newlinehaemoglobine status, short stature, low weight gain, previous abortion, previous still newlineBirth, previous LBW, primigravida and inadequate food intake were the risk factors. newlineMeconium aspiration syndrome, pre labor-rupture of fetal membranes, birth newlineasphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome, early onset neonatal sepsis, milk aspiration and newlineneonatal jaundice were the morbidities observed in LBW babies. newlineThe adequacy of cereals, pulses, milk and milk products and fruits, green leafy newlinevegetable, other vegetable, roots and tubers and sugar was less in the mothers of LBW.