Author/Authors :
Muula, AS University of Malawi - College of Medicine - Department of Public Health, Division of Community Health, Malawi , Siziya, S University of Zambia - School of Medicine, University Teaching Hospital - Department of Community Medicine, Zambia , Rudatsikira, E Loma Linda University - School of Public Health - Department of Global Health, USA , Rudatsikira, E Loma Linda University - School of Public Health - Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, USA , muula, a.s. division of community health,department of public health,college of medicine,university of malawi, Malawi , siziya, s. department of community medicine,school of medicine,university of zambia, Zambia , rudatsikira, e. department of global health,school of public health,loma linda university,loma linda,ca,united states,department of biostatistics and epidemiology,school of public health,loma linda university,loma linda, United States
Abstract :
Background: The consequences of low birth weight (LBW) include death and long-term health sequelae. Limited attention has been made towards the study of socio-demographic factors that may be associated with LBW in Malawi. Objectives: To assess factors that may be associated with LBW. Methods: We used secondary data on the 2006 Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 26,259 females in the age group 15-49 years participated in the survey, and of these, 5024 had children who were reported to have been weighed at birth. Most (60.5%) of the respondents were in the 20-29 years age group. In multivariate analysis, the odds of LBW delivery were lower for women in higher wealth quintiles and those who had some education. Women who previously had a child were less likely to deliver a LBW baby. Conclusion: The higher odds of delivering a LBW baby among women with no education, and lower wealth status may suggest that there is need to tailor pre-natal care based interventions on social status. This may involve creating education level-specific health messages.
