ASSOCIATION OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT WITH LACK OF ANTENATAL CARE

Tahira Ashraf; Nyi Nyi Naing; Nadiah Wan Arfah; Ghazala Ejaz

doi:10.52229/ajahs.v7i2.1946

Tahira Ashraf Ph. D, scholar: Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Medical Campus, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Nyi Nyi Naing Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Medical Campus, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Nadiah Wan Arfah Faculty of Medicine, Medical Campus Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Malaysia
Ghazala Ejaz Gynecologist at Cantonment General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52229/ajahs.v7i2.1946

Abstract

Background: Lack of antenatal care can result in Low Birth Weight (LBW) and may have worse effect on feto-maternal outcomes. Due to insufficient local literature in this regard, there is urgent need to explore this area.

Objective: To find association between lack of antenatal care and Low Birth Weight

Methodology: This case control study was conducted on 308 subjects (105 cases and 203 controls) in Lady Aitchson Hospital, Lahore. Socio-demographic and details about antenatal care was enquired using self-structured proforma. Mean and standard deviation and frequency and percentages were calculated for quantitative and qualitative data whereas chi square test was used to find association between antenatal care related determinants and LBW.

Results: The mean age of females included in this study was 26.3±4.1 years, mode parity was 3 and 32% women delivered via cesarean section. There was significant association of LBW with <4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (p-value= 0.019). Also, not getting antitatus shot and not taking daily iron and calcium supplement was also associated with LBW (p-values<0.0001 for all).

Conclusion: There is significant association of choosing a non-doctor as healthcare provider, having <4 antenatal visits, not being immunized against tatnus, and not taking daily iron and calcium supplement with LBW. Ensuring quality antenatal care can reduce burden of LBW in the community.

Keywords: Low Birth Weight, antenatal care, antitatnus vaccination, daily supplementation, risk factors