Factors related to low birth weight in Health Region 5

Abstract

                Low birth weight (LBW) of newborns has been a problem in health region 5 and Thailand. This research studies factors of pregnant women and LBW in Health Region 5, including maternal age, education level, marital status, occupation, gravida, antenatal care (ANC), anemia, miscarriage history, premature birth and newborn sex from 43 records of the database system of region 5 Health Data Center (HDC) of the ministry of public health that includes Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. The study population was 15,500 Thai mothers who gave birth in 2018. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistic, chi square test, and logistic regression analysis.

Findings show statistically significant factors (p-value <0.05) related to  LBW newborns include preterm delivery, mothers over 35, education level, teenage, first birth, less than 5 ANC visits, anemia, miscarriage history and having a female newborn. Preterm delivery was the most significant risk factor (OR=8.07, 95% CI; 6.99-9.32).

            Conclusion: The ANC unit should work on a proactive antenatal care plan to prevent preterm delivery with accessibility for mothers, especially student-mothers. Mothers who are pregnant with their first child, who are over 35 years old, with little education, who are anemic, and who have experienced a miscarriage should be monitored.